• Register now, pay later

    Spread the cost of camp out over time with a payment plan. Get started today for as low as $375!

    Payment plans available during checkout, for as low as $375!

  • Add a course, save $50

    Save $50 when you buy a second camp or course, whether it's in another topic or for another course. 

    Automatically save $50 when you add courses or siblings!

    Pay standard tuition for one student to attend a small-group program and receive $50 off for each additional course or sibling. 

    Note: You have the flexibility to add additional courses and siblings at any time during the qualifying term. Your automatic savings will be applied, provided the same account is used for all purchases. Automatic savings do not apply to Online Private Lessons.  

  • Refer a friend, save $25

    Register for camp and invite friends! You'll earn a $25 credit for each new referral, and your friends save too! 

    Refer a friend and save $25. Your friend will save, too. 

    Once you register for an online or on-campus program, you'll receive a unique Refer-a-Friend code that can be shared with up to ten friends. You'll earn a $25 credit for each new referral, and your friends will save, too!

    Please note:

    • Students you refer cannot have previously attended an online or on-campus program with iD Tech. 
    • Referrals must be made prior to the date your friends' sessions start. 
    • New students must enter your unique Refer-a-Friend referral code at the time of registration.
    • Refer-a-Friend savings does not apply to Online Private Lessons.  

Mobile Game Design & App Creation Lab

  • Price: Starting at $429
  • Age: Ages 10-12
  • Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
  • Format: Virtual Tech Camps | Small-Group, Online
  • Duration: Meets daily for 2 hours Monday-Friday

About This Course

Tap into the world of game design by creating a mobile game or app in this online version of our camp! You’ll build a prototype and design a user interface. Then, bring your project to life in GameMaker, the engine behind popular indie games like Undertale! You’ll craft a world and create characters, sprites, and levels. With built-in visual code, develop custom game mechanics like collectible items. Transform your idea into a playable touchscreen experience, whether that’s a cozy virtual pet app, an exciting action-adventure, or a monster collection game like Pokémon Go. Your game will open the way to mobile play—you can even bring your own Apple or Android device to test it on!

System Requirements
Projects will be developed on your computer. Mobile devices are not required for this course, but are recommended. Requires iOS 13.0 / Android 5.0 or later. For additional questions and support, contact us.

You'll learn to:

  • Develop a mobile game or app with GameMaker
  • Design and prototype a user interface using UX design principles
  • Use visual code and events to implement game mechanics
  • Create custom sprites, levels, and UI for a mobile game

Course Format

This course is part of a weeklong virtual summer camp running Monday through Friday. Your child will learn online with a small group of other students, in sessions led by expert instructors. Each day includes two hours of live instruction and peer collaboration plus two hours of self-paced project development. Learn more below. 

Sample Schedule

Here’s a sample of what a week in this course could look like. Keep in mind students will progress at varying paces, and this is meant to serve as an outline of key materials and the overall experience. 

Dive into the fundamentals of GameMaker! Students will build a game that tracks and displays the player’s score using objects, events, and variables. If students bring a personal mobile device to the session, they’ll have the opportunity to playtest their first project on it.

Requires iOS 13.0 / Android 5.0 or later for mobile devices.

Next, students will create a design document and plan out a project while learning about UX principles. They’ll design a wireframe prototype in Lunacy to test the project's flow. Then, they’ll begin implementing their ideas in GameMaker and designing sprites with a built-in image editor.

Time to mobilize! Students will develop the core gameplay and interactions for their project in GameMaker. They’ll implement features like clickable buttons, collectible items, and shops for using an in-game currency. They’ll also design and tweak mobile-specific features for their project.

Students will customize and build upon their project, following their design document. They can develop it into an idea of their own, such as a virtual pet app or action-adventure game! They’ll add polished features to bring it all together, like menu screens or music.

Students will finalize and playtest their projects. All final projects will go home with them, with instructions on how to launch the game or app on mobile devices at home!

Portfolio-Boosting Transcript

At the conclusion of your child's course, they will receive an official iD Tech transcript outlining the skills they learned over the course of the week.

Elite Staff & Experienced Instructors

Passion for tech. Unmatched expertise. Personality that brings out the absolute best in your child. With 25 years of experience, we know there's no replacement for the best teacher. Each year iD instructors go on to be hired by the most prestigious tech companies in the world like Google, EA, Disney, Microsoft, and more. When your child learns from the best, they’ll unlock opportunities to become their best.

  • 100% USA-based, adult instructors

  • Recruited from top universities like Stanford, Caltech, and NYU

  • Rigorous background and reference checks

  • Robust training programs and certification

  • Adherence to American Camp Association accredited guidelines

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer at Google

“My time as an iD instructor was really formative. I stayed with STEM in college as a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major, and now I’m working at Google in Chicago. If you find yourself thinking about STEM-related things outside of school, follow that passion. Major in it. Keep pursuing it.”

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer at Google

“My time as an iD instructor was really formative. I stayed with STEM in college as a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major, and now I’m working at Google in Chicago. If you find yourself thinking about STEM-related things outside of school, follow that passion. Major in it. Keep pursuing it.”

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer at Bethesda Softworks

“The spirit of innovation and creativity I felt around my students while teaching Unity led me toward my career as a professional game designer. My time at iD Tech taught me that no dream is too big, and that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.”

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer at Bethesda Softworks

“The spirit of innovation and creativity I felt around my students while teaching Unity led me toward my career as a professional game designer. My time at iD Tech taught me that no dream is too big, and that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.”

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer at Disney

“The opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity was a truly special experience. The skills I honed while teaching at iD Tech led me to my software engineering roles at ESPN and the Walt Disney Company.”

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer at Disney

“The opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity was a truly special experience. The skills I honed while teaching at iD Tech led me to my software engineering roles at ESPN and the Walt Disney Company.”

Find a date
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FAQ

It’s a question every game designer must ask themselves as they progress to intermediate and advanced levels. After all, the type of experience gamers are looking for varies widely based on the game genre. From classic arcade games to role playing games to first-person shooter games and many more, working within specific gaming genres is a great way to refine design and coding skills.

While we are proud to offer world-class experiences on many of the world’s most prestigious university campuses, we also recognize that many families need the flexibility of quality virtual learning! It’s with these families in mind that we’ve adapted the core elements of our flagship camps to an online format with our Virtual Tech Camps. 

Like our on-campus programs, Virtual Tech Camps feature structured small-group sessions led by expert instructors. Each week includes live teaching of our signature, cutting-edge curriculum, plus peer collaboration, social time, and independent project work. To complete the experience, our Virtual Tech Camps incorporate all the magic of summer camp including games, challenges, and legendary iD traditions!

Yes, this course is designed for beginner to advanced students. Our small class size ensures that each student receives individual attention and has the freedom to learn at their own pace.

To run this online course with iD Tech, students will need a Mac or Windows computer (no Chromebooks, unless otherwise specified), a webcam, and a stable internet connection with access to Zoom video conferencing. Additional info on course-specific installation requirements will be communicated after registration.

Yes! Every iD Tech experience contributes toward leveling up along the iD Tech Pathway. This course is worth 625 XP— learn more about the iD Tech Pathway here.

As courses frequently sell out, we recommend registering early to secure your child's spot. You can make unlimited changes with no fees up to 28 days before the start of your session. If you need to cancel before March 1st, you will receive a full refund of the amount paid. If you cancel after March 1st but still 28+ days before your session, you will receive a refund less the additional fees (if applicable) and a $250 cancellation charge per week. Within 28 days of your session start date, changes are subject to a fee, and no refunds are provided for cancellations.

Our Online Private Lessons offer 1-on-1 learning with our inspiring instructors, curriculum customized to your child’s needs, and a full range of STEM and other academic topics. It's as simple as selecting a lesson package and topic, and then choosing an instructor to schedule a 60-minute lesson at the date and time that works best for you. Learn more. 

Our Program Specialists are here to provide you with the best experience. Looking for a personalized course recommendation? Need help signing up? We’ve got you covered. Call us at 1-888-709-8324 or email hello@idtech.com.

Our Program Specialists are here to provide you with the best experience. Looking for a personalized course recommendation? Need help signing up? We’ve got you covered. Call us at 1-888-709-8324 or email hello@idtech.com.

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