Dekker: Dekker decided to dive into game development by recreating Flappy Bird using Unity, following YouTube tutorials to guide them through the process. They learned how to implement basic mechanics like collision detection, scoring systems, and procedural level generation, all while familiarizing themselves with Unity’s interface and scripting. This project was a great way for them to build a solid foundation in game development and gain hands-on experience, and it ultimately contributed to our team's ability to tackle more complex tasks as we progressed with our own game.

Micah: Micah took on a side project to learn Photoshop, aiming to improve the visual polish of our game's UI and promotional materials. They spent time experimenting with tools, watching tutorials, and practicing by creating custom assets like icons, menus, and textures. Not only did this add a professional touch to our final product, but it also showcased a strong commitment to self-improvement and interdisciplinary learning.

Jacob: Jacob tackled coding a classic Snake game using Unity, following YouTube tutorials to guide them through the process. They learned how to implement core game mechanics like player movement, collision detection, and score tracking, while also becoming familiar with Unity’s scripting environment. This project gave them valuable experience in both programming and game design, helping them understand how to structure a game from the ground up. It also allowed them to experiment with Unity’s tools and features, ultimately strengthening their skills and contributing to our team's broader game development knowledge.

Quinn: Quinn ventured into modding by creating custom Minecraft mods using GitHub for version control and Unity to integrate new features and assets. They explored Java to modify Minecraft’s mechanics and crafted unique gameplay elements, from new mobs to interactive environments, all while learning best practices for collaboration and code sharing through GitHub. By experimenting with Unity, they also learned how to bridge their mods into different game engines, enhancing their understanding of game development workflows. This hands-on experience not only expanded their coding skills but also helped us bring more creative ideas and technical solutions to our project.

Cole: Cole took on a challenging project to create an AI using neural networks, diving deep into the complexities of machine learning. They experimented with different architectures, training algorithms, and data sets, using virtual machines (VMs) to optimize their workflow and simulate environments for the AI to learn in. Along the way, they explored advanced concepts like backpropagation and hyperparameter tuning, all while managing the technical intricacies of system configurations and processing power. This project not only expanded their technical expertise but also brought valuable insights into AI implementation that could one day enhance gameplay mechanics, making it a truly nerdy but rewarding experience.