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 What's It Like To BE...
What's It Like To Be.... A Game Creator?
In December, the weather is colder, and I like to play games inside. Have you ever thought about who comes up with board games? I was lucky to talk to Kylie Copenhagen, who just happened to create a fun game called The Ladybug Game. She created this game as a project in the first grade, when she was only six years old! In Mrs. Dittos class, I learned that ladybugs are the coolest bugs around, said Kylie. As luck would have it, Kylies dad had a good friend, Randy Horn, who was starting a game company. When he saw Kylies ladybug game he thought it could be a great addition to his own line-up of games. Kylies game is now a best seller and has been chosen by the Strong Toy Museum in New York as a future classic.
TRUMAN: What does it take to become a game creator?
KYLIE: I had to make up the game, which is hard to do. I also sometimes need to choose things about the game and such, and go places, like once I went to LA to talk to Randy, the man who helps me manufacture and distribute the game. But other than that, I am 11 and go to Harvest Park Middle School. I am hoping to go to college at the University of California at Berkley. I like to play soccer and have a nine-year-old sister, Anna, and five-year-old brother, Conner.
TRUMAN: When and why did you become interested in creating a game?
KYLIE: When I was younger, I played many games with my mom and dad. Thats probably why when we had to choose a visual in first grade for a project, I chose to do a game. This happened when I was 6. I dont really know how I thought of this game, I just did. I made all the cards, aphids and board by hand, and I remember sitting on our couch, drawing little aphids and coloring the back of the cards. Then, when I was 8, my dads friend, Randy, took the game and thought it was amazing, so we tried to start creating it [to sell].
TRUMAN: What do you do on a typical day?
KYLIE: As I said, I go to Harvest Park, and that is what I do Monday through Friday. I play basketball, soccer and the percussion. Sometimes I do game signings or appearances. Some things Ive done were getting invited to speak at Los Positas College; being the guest of honor at a Venture Capitol Round Table; game signings at Barnes & Noble, the Lindsey Wildlife Museum and other local stores. Ive also spoken at local elementary schools.
TRUMAN: Whats the hardest part of your job?
KYLIE: I dont really have a hard part of this job, mainly because I give the hard stuff to my mom, dad and Randy. Mostly its just fun.
TRUMAN: Whats the best part?
KYLIE: The best part of my job is that I get to go and make appearances and game signings, and kids think its really cool what I did.
TRUMAN: Do you have plans to create any other games?
KYLIE: I havent really thought about any other games, but once when my dad was
talking on the phone about that, I ran to paper and started drawing out a bee game
and a whale game. I have lost those papers; even though I can still remember the bee
one, vaguely, I havent ever had some time to write it down and think about it, with school and all.
TRUMAN: Whats your favorite game to play?
KYLIE: My favorite game to play really depends on how Im feeling and where I am. If Im in Tahoe, I would play Monopoly all night, (but no one will play with me because its so long); if I feel sneaky I usually would play hearts or cribbage and many more. I have so many games I like; in fact, my entire games closet is full of them, plus some!
TRUMAN: What kind of advice would you give to kids who are interested in creating games?
KYLIE: If you are interested in making a game, you can make one. You dont even have to sell it. It was just really lucky that my dad knew Randy. But, if you really think your game is good, find a person who can check it (like at school), and make it into a game that kids, or adults, will enjoy.
TRUMAN: What do you want to be when you grow up?
KYLIE: What I want to be when I grow up is a teacher. This is because I love being around little kids, which I hope to teach Kindergartners and/or 1st graders. I have always had great teachers that are kind and wise, and I hope to be just like them when I grow up.
TRUMAN: Kylie, your game is very fun! I had a great time playing it and learning more about what its like to be a game creator! Thanks!
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