My son’s fascination with video games, from his current fixation on “Toilet Tower Defense” to his preference for “Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” has sparked a remarkable journey for us. Together, we’re embarking on an epic adventure, one filled with battles, treasures, and glory - the adventure of creating our own video game.

This quest began with a simple tutorial on building a 2D RPG background. It guided us through setting up a project, selecting background sprites, and piecing together a vibrant landscape. This is more than just a lesson in using Unity, a renowned game development platform; it’s about forging a stronger bond with my son and igniting his passion for learning.

To facilitate this, I plan to set up a home network drive for our projects, enabling us to collaborate seamlessly from our individual PCs. The goal is to eventually dive into C# and deepen our understanding together.

Reflecting on Past and Present

Recently, I shared a moment with my dad over cigars and beer, reflecting on my childhood. Our conversation meandered to my teenage years and his attempts to guide me. Back then, our interests rarely aligned, and I often found myself disengaged from his efforts. It was a different time, with different dynamics.

Now, as I weave this path of game development with my son, I see a chance to blend our dreams and interests harmoniously. It’s an opportunity to create the shared experiences I longed for in my own youth.

Embracing the Journey

For us, this project isn’t solely about the final product. My true aspiration isn’t for my dream to take center stage, but for my son’s vision to evolve and take flight. I aim to instill in him the joy of transforming dreams into reality - of conceptualizing, experimenting, and refining ideas. It’s about sparking his curiosity and maintaining his engagement through the challenges and triumphs of creative development.

My Role: The Facilitator

In this endeavor, my role is not to have all the answers but to guide him in finding his own. While I’m keen to learn skills like C#, much of our time will be spent absorbing information, a process that can sometimes feel tedious but is crucial for growth. My goal is to expose him to knowledge, converting the ‘unknown unknowns’ into ‘known unknowns’ and guiding him to explore further.

Envisioning Success

The success of this project will be measured not by the game we build but by the strength and growth of our relationship. If we can enjoy this journey together, without me dominating the process or pushing him too hard, it will be a testament to our resilience and commitment. Building a game together is about showing both my son and myself that we have the strength to pursue our dreams with conviction.