FighterZ Academy Founder and Game Instructor, Tyreese Bailey, turned his love of gaming into a way to mentor youth.
Based out of the Factory 41 building in Downtown Fresno with tech education company quick labs, FighterZ Academy offers a sense of accomplishment and a foundation for gaming and beyond.
"It's all about trying new things because you know what they say -- idle time is the devil's playground -- and I think a lot of kids just need things to do," Bailey said.
With 13 years of game design under his belt, the Fresno native designed the two-week course to train the next generation.
The program starts with introduction to game design. As the week evolves, so does the students skillset -- programming characters, stages, designing a main menu and adding music.
"That last day is a celebration with the families, kind of like a open house night where parents get to see what their kids have been working on over the two weeks," Bailey said.
Fighterz Academy also has a non-profit that offers youth mentorship called "Learn S.T.E.A.M." for kids ages 7 and up.
Whether they're they're designing virtually or with a paint brush, the most important lesson learned remains the same.
"Nothing is impossible," Bailey said. "Everyone has two God-given hands that they can do whatever they can with them."
The next course on original game design begins in November.
Visit their website for more information.