Ask HN: 9-yo son wants to build a game, I'm lost. What can I do?

Hacker News Discussion ↗

A parent with a 9‑year‑old who wants to create a 3D zombie survival game receives wide-ranging advice on how to turn that enthusiasm into something achievable. Commenters recommend kid-friendly tools like Scratch, Roblox Studio, Game Builder Garage, Godot, and GameMaker, but repeatedly stress scoping the idea down (often to 2D or to modding existing games), aiming for quick wins, and prioritizing shared creative time over finishing a polished title or “properly” learning to code. Several also flag safety and exploitation concerns around platforms like Roblox and suggest using AI assistants and pre-made assets to reduce frustration and keep the experience fun.

Kid’s Motivation and Goals

  • OP’s 9‑year‑old wants a “3D survival zombie game with cars you repair to escape.”
  • Several commenters stress: the kid mostly wants to make “his game” and spend time with the parent, not “learn to code” as an abstract goal.
  • Advice: treat this as shared play and exploration, not a production project.

2D vs 3D and Scope

  • Many argue 3D is overkill for a first project: higher conceptual complexity (3D math, cameras) and heavy asset needs.
  • Suggested approach: prototype the idea in 2D (top‑down, platformer) or even text/board game first; introduce MVP thinking (e.g., car repair as a simple long‑press action).
  • Others say if 3D is what excites him, use engines that hide complexity (Roblox, Unreal blueprints, Game Builder Garage, Dreams) and accept a shallow first attempt.

Recommended Platforms & Tools

  • Block / visual tools for ~9‑year‑olds:
    • Scratch, Snap!, MakeCode Arcade, Kodu, Alice, Looking Glass.
    • Nintendo Game Builder Garage, Super Mario Maker, LittleBigPlanet.
  • 3D‑oriented or kid‑friendly engines:
    • Roblox Studio (strongly recommended by many), Game Builder Garage, Dreams, Smile Game Builder, RPG in a Box, dotbigbang, QuickGame, Spore Galactic Adventures.
  • “Real” engines with parental help:
    • Godot (+ GDScript tutorials), Unity (many kid‑oriented tutorials), GameMaker, Love2D, PICO‑8/TIC‑80, microStudio, GDevelop, Construct.
  • Alternative on‑ramps: Minecraft / Roblox / GMod modding; StarCraft/Warcraft map editors; board‑ or paper‑prototyped games.

Parent’s Role and Process

  • Common theme: keep iteration fast and wins small (get something playable in days, not months).
  • Let the child drive design; parent acts as facilitator, debugger, and scope manager.
  • Emphasize notebooks, drawing levels on paper, talking through mechanics on walks, and accepting that many projects won’t be finished.

Safety, Ethics, and Platforms

  • Roblox is praised for low barrier and built‑in 3D/multiplayer, but some warn about:
    • Exploitative revenue splits, “get rich” pressures.
    • Exposure to gambling‑like mechanics and potentially unsafe social spaces.
  • Consensus: if using Roblox, treat it as a learning engine; supervise closely and downplay monetization.

AI and Learning Resources

  • Several suggest using LLMs (ChatGPT/Bing) to:
    • Generate or explain code and assets incrementally.
    • Speed up prototyping while the parent filters complexity and errors.