I learned how to 'program' so I could write animation scripts for Total Annihilation mods when I was 13-14. I had always liked computers and my parents had tri

I learned how to 'program' so I could write animation scripts for Total Annihilation mods when I was 13-14. I had always liked computers and my parents had tried to get me programming books for kids from the library, but I never made it far enough to do anything worthwhile for the time investment. Making my own 3d models and then getting them to walk, wings to open, turrets to track enemies, etc, was the motivation I needed. This seems to be a similarly excellent gateway for today's Minecraft obsessed kids in a way that modding many modern games (with their much greater complexity and knowledge base required) can't offer. Kudos to all at UCSD, and hoping we see more similar initiatives in the future.