Through the help of a Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal grant, Mr Sharples is aiming to create employment, and teach new skills through his creation of the Eden Game Development Centre. 

“I want to help disadvantaged kids and people out of work by getting them work in virtual reality and gaming,” the 25-year-old said.

Mr Sharples is hoping to open the centre over the coming months.

“I think games and video games are an area where people may be inspired to get involved with,” he said.

“I want to help people make games, and I’m hoping to get at least one fully fledged game out of it. We can create companies through this technology and make money out of it.”

Mr Sharples is hoping the project will create a range of jobs and new skills.

“I’m hoping to help Eden businesses by making games for them, and there’s the possibility of mobile augmented reality as well,” he said.

“It really depends on what the kids want to learn.”

Skills such as 3D modelling can also be used in other sectors such as engineering and industrial design.

“There’s a lot of applications outside gaming,” he said.

“There are tonnes of different branches you can take. There is also the business side of things, so I’m hoping they can create a business from scratch.”

Graphic design, music composition, 3D animation, coding, level design, character design, pitching of ideas and teamwork are just some of the skills to be learned during the process of entering the booming independent games marketplace.

The former Merimbula Public School and Bombala High School student has always had a keen interest in gaming.

“I’ve been into video games for a long time, it’s my passion,” he said.

“I heard about the grant, and thought I’d just go for it.

“I had the idea to help people in Eden, but I wasn’t sure about how to go about it. I knew I wanted to engage youth, so the grant solidified the idea.”