An 11-year-old boy from Penarth, Wales has officially become a Guinness World Record holder after building his own video game from scratch. As reported by BBC News, Max spent four hours developing a game with five unique levels during a monitored attempt earlier this year, and this week he finally received confirmation that he is now the youngest male video game developer ever recorded, as reported by the BBC.
Max said the achievement felt “amazing” and hopes this milestone becomes the beginning of a full career in game design. His father, Trevor Baker, explained that Max first started coding at age seven, and quickly became obsessed with making his own games. With several projects completed already, Max set his eyes on getting into the record books after discovering there was already a category for female developers but none for males. He submitted his application, received the guidelines, and began preparing.
Makerspace Penarth/Vale of Glamorgan Council
During the official attempt in May, Max was closely observed by industry professionals to ensure he received no assistance. He worked at his local Makerspace, a community-run tech hub located inside Barry and Penarth libraries. The space is equipped with digital tools and creative equipment, and Max often meets experienced makers there who teach him new techniques. His father says the environment helps him solve real development problems, such as testing character movement or fixing animation errors.
Max explained that coding appeals to him because it allows him to turn any idea into something real, whether it exists in his imagination or in a notebook. He has already researched studios he hopes to work for one day and has begun reaching out to developers for advice on entering the industry.
Since his recognition, the Vale of Glamorgan council has shared his story publicly, which prompted professionals in tech and gaming to offer mentorship and opportunities. His father says interest has been overwhelming, and Max intends to follow up on every lead because creating games is “his goal in life.”
Max’s success mirrors trends seen among young self-taught developers, such as Osian Taubman-Edwards from Flintshire, who began coding on Roblox at 14 and went on to create Barry’s Prison Run, a game with billions of visits. Osian says tools like YouTube tutorials have made learning possible for anyone with passion and persistence.
Local officials say Max’s achievement is proof that community learning spaces can inspire the next generation of digital creators, and Max is already planning his next game, determined to turn his record into a lifelong career.