The annual ASEAN Roblox Game Development Competition aims to challenge young coders from across Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia as they delve into the world of Roblox Studio and create their science-inspired games. This annual competition seeks to recognize young talents in the realm of Roblox game development and Lua coding.
Notably, this year marked the first time the competition was conducted in a hybrid setting: physically in Singapore and online in Malaysia and Indonesia. The event drew over 70 participants from these countries, making it a truly engaging experience. Students were tasked with creating a Roblox game with an animal theme, aiming to educate users about animal-related concepts. Today, we interviewed Sherine, the main organizer of our annual Roblox competition:
Hi Sherine, could you tell us more about yourself and your role in Empire Code?
Hi everyone! I graduated from NUS Life Sciences & Psychology and am currently in the Marketing department at Empire Code. Apart from marketing, I organize Empire Code’s annual competitions and consult parents & students for DSA applications. Having started as a part-time sales assistant during my last semester at university, I decided to work full-time here due to the joy and fulfillment I find in contributing to a child’s learning journey. Moreover, in today’s digital era, coding is the digital literacy, and I believe students should be equipped with basic technology proficiency for the future.
What is your perspective on kids learning coding through Roblox?
At Empire Code, Roblox (and Minecraft) are among our most popular modules. Initially skeptical about kids learning coding through gaming, I was amazed at the innovative idea of introducing coding through something they enjoy. Roblox Studio, the game development platform, allows kids to learn coding concepts they’ll later encounter in Python or other advanced coding languages. Seeing immediate results in their game reinforces logical and computational thinking, which are crucial skills for the future.
Why did you decide to hold the annual ASEAN Roblox Game Development Competition?
I see it as a way to give back to the community. Kids invest hours in learning to create their own game, and a competition lets them apply these skills, showcasing their work to others. Competing builds confidence, sportsmanship, problem-solving skills, and creativity. The three-hour time constraint emphasizes efficient game development, encouraging students to consider various aspects beyond aesthetics, such as storylines, user experience, and interfaces.
What was your experience organizing the Roblox Competition?
I also organized the online ASEAN Roblox Competition last year, but this year, it was the first hybrid competition – physical for Singapore students and online for Malaysian and Indonesian students. Organizing both formats required additional considerations, and I’m grateful our partners trusted my leadership. Feedback from parents and students indicates an enjoyable overall experience, with enthusiasm for next year’s competition.
Were there any interesting builds that stood out during the competition?
Absolutely! Students showcased remarkable creativity, developing games within three hours to educate users about different types of fishes. Some built games teleporting users to various habitats to learn about resident animals, with a lobby teleportation feature upon completing specific habitat games. The students’ passionate presentations also impressed the judges, highlighting their confidence in their game. It was a fulfilling experience, and I hope participants learn from judges’ feedback and the competition itself.
Lastly, any words for the winners or participants?
Congratulations to everyone! I am genuinely proud of each student for stepping outside their comfort zone to join this competition. Winning doesn’t define success – the sky’s the limit in coding, requiring continuous learning and occasional unlearning for more efficient approaches. Thank you all for your presence; we appreciate each one of you! See you next year!
Read what our parents and students say about their experience in this year’s competition:
“It was a good experience for Jin Rui. We told him to go without expectations as it’s his first competition, but he loved the experience and he wants to go for next year’s competition and try again!” – Jin Rui’s Mother
“Thank you for organizing the competition and we are happy that Kyan is enjoying his coding learning journey with you all at Empire Code. Congratulations on the successful and well-run Roblox Competition!” – Kyan’s Mother
“For the training program, he enjoyed learning codes he could use for the competition, was allowed to learn at his own pace and had the creativity to create what he wanted. For the competition, he enjoyed the flexibility of creating whatever he wanted and he could apply the codes he had learnt from the camp “ – Brandon’s Mother