Inspiring the Next Generation of Game Creators

Following the success of its main conference, Xbox Game Camp partnered with CODE313 to expand its impact with the return of its interactive “Arcade” format hands-on version of the program designed specifically for young, aspiring creators.

What Is Xbox Game Camp Arcade?

Xbox Game Camp Arcade is a youth-focused extension of Xbox Game Camp, created to spark interest in technology, creativity, and game development. The goal is simple: make the world of gaming accessible, exciting, and achievable for students who may have never considered careers in tech. By giving young people early exposure to coding, design, and creative problem-solving, the Arcade series helps them see themselves as future innovators, developers, and digital creators.

Detroit Hosts the 2025 Arcade Event

On October 17, 2025, Xbox Game Camp Arcade and CODE313 arrived at the Hall of Legends inside Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The event was presented in partnership with Microsoft MakeCode, CODE313, and the Detroit Lions/Detroit Lions Academy. More than 100 students from Southeastern High School and Detroit Lions Academy were invited to spend a day learning about game creation and exploring potential tech career pathways.

A Full-Circle Moment: Jovell Arnold’s Story

One of the day’s featured speakers, Jovell Arnold, demonstrated firsthand the power of early exposure to tech. As a former participant in a CODE313 program, Jovell sat in the same type of chairs as the students attending the event, before discovering his passion for coding. That passion led him to join CODE313 professionally, where he now trains students just like his younger self.

“I always wanted to give the kind of mentorship I received,” Jovell shared.
“Through CODE313, we’re preparing Detroit’s next generation of coders. We’re proud to work alongside Microsoft MakeCode, Xbox Game Camp, and the Detroit Lions to strengthen our community’s tech skills.”

His story showed students that their futures can begin with a single opportunity.

Building Games, Meeting Mascots, and Hands-On Learning

Students spent the day creating their own 8-bit football video games, inspired by Microsoft MakeCode’s official NFL game creation tools. They explored game logic, sound design, character movement, and coding fundamentals, turning ideas into playable games in real time. Special guest Roary the Lion, the Detroit Lions mascot, attended the event to hype up the students, take photos, and join in on the fun.

From a One-Day Event to a Nationwide Program

The success of the Arcade events, first in Atlanta (2023) and now Detroit (2025)—has sparked a much larger vision.Xbox Game Camp is now working closely with Microsoft MakeCode, the Detroit Lions, and CODE313 to design a “Game Camp in a Box” curriculum. This packaged program would allow schools across the country to run game development workshops as after-school or extracurricular programs. The goal is to equip public middle and high schools with everything they need to bring hands-on gaming education directly to their students.

Impact, Growth, and What’s Next

Xbox Game Camp CODE313 Detroit highlighted Detroit’s expanding gaming and tech ecosystem, reinforcing Michigan’s position as an emerging leader in interactive entertainment. As the three-month Game Camp program wrapped up, students walked away with:

new skills
real coding experience
boosted confidence
and a clearer vision of what a future career in tech could look like

The Arcade event helped plant the seeds of curiosity and for many students, opened the door to possibilities they had never considered before. Xbox plans to continue working with CODE313 to expand its Game Camp offerings to additional cities, ensuring more young creators have access to opportunities that can change their lives.

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