2025 Demo Day Finalist: Ready, Set, Learn! by Donkey Kong Squad (Alice E., Harini S., Jessica O., Evelyn J.)
Ready, Set, Learn! by Donkey Kong Squad (Alice E., Harini S., Jessica O., Evelyn J.)
Donkey Kong Squad (Alice, Harini, Jessica, Evelyn) designed and developed this game at the Girls Make Games 3-week summer camp. They are a finalist for GMG’s Demo Day competition, where the grand prize winners earn prizes sponsored by GMG's partners! To learn more, visit www.girlsmakegames.com
Game Summary:
Ready, Set, Learn! is a fun and fast-paced 2D Top-Down adventure game where you join Eli, a nervous kindergartener, on his very first day at Rising Star Elementary. Explore vibrant classrooms, dodge flying surprises, outsmart unexpected foes, and collect shiny gold stars to end the day with a good grade. With your help, Eli can conquer his fears and turn a scary first day into a shining success!
Game Controls:
To enter full screen, click the expand icon on the bottom right
- ARROW KEYS to move (Up, Down, Left, Right)
- Space Bar to shoot
- Left mouse Click- open backpack on gym level and to shoot on lunch level
Game Story:
Ready, Set, Learn!
Join Eli, a nervous kindergartener, on his wild first day at Rising Star Elementary! What starts as a normal school day quickly turns into a colorful, chaotic adventure. From alien invasions to food fights, Eli must make his way through wild classrooms, collect gold stars, and avoid crazy obstacles to earn a glowing report card by the final bell.
Level 1 – Math Class:
Aliens have taken over math class! Dodge their lightning beams, collect stars between desks, and fight back with your own electric blasts to move on.
Level 2 – Gym. :
It’s dodgeball madness in the gym! Weave through flying balls while gathering stars but there’s no fighting back this time. Watch for a secret surprise!
Level 3 – Cafeteria :
FOOD FIGHT! Use lunch tables as cover while avoiding airborne snacks. Keep an eye out for the hidden key that unlocks the next area!
Level 4 – Art Class:
The floor is lava... and the paintings are alive! Dodge splashes of lava paint and return fire at living artwork to survive this messy masterpiece.
Help Eli turn his terrifying first day into a five-star success in Ready, Set, Learn!
Inspiration:
We all remember what it felt like. That nervous flutter in your stomach, the sound of unfamiliar voices, the challenge of finding your place in a brand-new world. Ready, Set, Learn! was inspired by that shared experience of facing the unknown on the first day of school.
Whether it’s walking into a classroom full of strangers, navigating confusing hallways, or just being unsure of what comes next, starting something new can be scary. Like Eli, we’ve all had moments where we felt small in a big, overwhelming place. But with support, bravery, and a little bit of imagination, those moments can turn into our greatest adventures.
This game is a celebration of what it means to grow. Its about turning fear into confidence, obstacles into opportunities, and challenges into gold stars. Through Eli’s journey, we hope players see a reflection of their own strength, creativity, and courage when stepping into something new.
About the Creators:
We are a group of girls from all around the world who share a common dream: to work in the gaming industry. Whether it's through animation, coding, game production, or design our passion for creating games is matched by our love for playing them. We also enjoy drawing and bringing our imaginations to life through art. Together, we’re learning, collaborating, and building the skills we need to turn our creative visions into reality.
