Jordan Casey (12), Europe's youngest iOS app developer, who taught himself how to code
Ireland has become a breeding ground for some of Europe’s youngest software development talent. Jordan Casey (12) from Waterford has become one of Europe’s youngest iOS app developers after launching his new game Alien Ball Vs Humans on the App Store – just months after Harry Moran from Cork became the world’s youngest Mac app developer.
Casey has developed a new game called Alien Ball Vs Humans which went on sale on the Apple App Store in recent weeks.
He built the game using GameSalad and is donating 10pc of revenues from the game to a local Cancer Respite Centre in Waterford, Solas Centre.
The news comes just a few months after Harry Moran, then 12, shot to the top of the Mac App Store with his game PizzaBot, passing out Angry Birds and Call of Duty.
Speaking with Jordan last night, he revealed he taught himself how to code and can’t wait until CoderDojo makes its way to Waterford.
“I’m the youngest iOS app developer in Europe. In the US, the youngest iOS app developer is seven.”
Jordan explained he plans to bring the game to Android and plans to make it into a series of platform and puzzle games.
His foray into coding began at the age of nine. “I saw an ad on TV for Club Penguin and I saw people making websites about it and I tried to make my own and that’s how it started.
“I read a few books and was looking online for help. I then learned Objective C and a bit of HTML. I’ve been developing websites in HTML since I was nine.”
Jordan’s ambition is to build up his own company Casey Games to create games for platforms like the Xbox 360 and the new PlayStation Vita.
“I wouldn’t like it to be a big company, I just want it to be a company creating indie games,” he said.
Jordan’s app debuted in the top 50 two weeks ago. To show your support and buy the app, click here, or watch a trailer here.
