[eterpstra]

> > It's disheartening for kids when the thing they've worked hard on simply isn't fun — particularly when they share it with friends and are met with, at best, a shrug.

An easy way around this is to have kids include their friends as characters. Even if it's just a name and reasonable facsimile. And add some silly humor.

Yet another run and jump platformer game with a made-up character is going to be boring. A platformer where Billy from down the street farts jelly beans every time he jumps will probably get a few playthoughs and shares.