We started because nobody else was teaching this properly
Back in 2019, I was helping a friend troubleshoot their mobile game project. They'd spent months on tutorials that taught JavaScript basics but nothing about how games actually perform on phones.
That conversation stuck with me. There was this massive gap between general coding education and what developers actually needed for mobile game work.
So we built CastFluxDev to fix that. Not another platform promising overnight success or throwing around buzzwords about revolutionizing education.
What drives our approach
Most coding schools teach syntax. We teach how to build things that don't crash when a player switches apps mid-game or their phone heats up.
Real constraints
Memory limits, battery drain, different screen sizes. Your code needs to handle all of it, not just work on your laptop.
Practical projects
You'll build actual game mechanics from day one. No theoretical exercises that don't relate to what you're trying to create.
Industry context
Understanding why certain patterns exist in game development helps more than memorizing code snippets.
How we got here
Started with weekend workshops in Lismore. Eight students, one projector, and way too much coffee. We focused entirely on mobile performance because that's what people kept asking about.
Expanded to monthly intensive courses after local developers kept referring their colleagues. Realized there was real demand for education that didn't skip over the hard parts.
Launched our extended program format. Six-month courses that take students from basic JavaScript knowledge to building complete mobile game prototypes.
Now running multiple programs throughout the year with our autumn intake starting September 2025. Same hands-on approach, just more refined from years of student feedback.
Who's actually teaching
Elliot Varnsdorf
Lead Instructor & Technical Director
Spent eight years building mobile games for a Brisbane studio before moving to education. Still works on indie projects because staying current matters when you're teaching people actual skills. Believes most coding problems come from not understanding the underlying system rather than syntax errors.
Freya Tilbrook
Curriculum Developer & Engagement Specialist
Came from frontend development with a focus on performance optimization. Designs our course structure around how people actually learn technical skills rather than how textbooks say they should. Tests every module with real students before finalizing content.
What changes during our programs
| Aspect | Starting point | After program completion |
|---|---|---|
| Code approach | Writing JavaScript that works on desktop browsers | Building with mobile constraints in mind from the start |
| Problem solving | Searching for solutions when something breaks | Understanding why issues happen and preventing them early |
| Project scope | Tutorial-following without full game context | Complete playable prototypes with proper architecture |
| Technical confidence | Uncertain about mobile-specific challenges | Clear understanding of performance and optimization |
