Hi, I'm Haruki Yamamoto

The Real Story

I'm 17, a junior in high school in Indiana, and I'm building a game engine because I want to understand how things actually work. I got interested in game development and decided to skip the "use existing engines" route—I wanted to build one myself to truly understand the math, physics, and low-level systems that make 3D games possible.

So I'm learning C++ from scratch and building Gobrix—a complete 3D game engine with physics simulation, multiplayer networking, and a scripting system. Not because it's easy (it's not), but because building it myself is the only way to truly understand it. I'm working through learncpp.com, studying physics from Millington's book, learning linear algebra from Khan Academy and 3Blue1Brown. It's hard, but I'm committed to the long game.

Why Japan

I'm planning to attend a Japanese university's software engineering program starting October 2027. I'm specifically targeting programs taught in English (like IUPE-style programs), which lets me focus on the engineering while learning Japanese alongside my studies.

Why Japan specifically? Strong engineering programs with research focus that aligns with my interests in graphics and simulation. I respect the Japanese approach to mastery and dedication—the cultural emphasis on doing things thoroughly and correctly matches how I approach learning.

I practice Zen Buddhism, which has deepened my appreciation for Japanese culture and philosophy. The Zen emphasis on sustained practice, disciplined focus, and learning through direct experience aligns naturally with how I approach both my studies and technical projects. This connection to Japanese thought and culture is part of what draws me to study in Japan—not just academically, but as an opportunity to better understand the cultural context of a practice that's become central to how I work and learn.

I'm drawn to the academic rigor and the opportunity to work with world-class faculty on cutting-edge problems in computer graphics and computational engineering. Studying in Japan would expose me to different approaches to problem-solving and research methodology that I believe are essential for developing as a global engineer.

My Philosophy

"Prioritize foundational learning during formative years." At this stage of life, I'm focused on building deep technical expertise and working on meaningful long-term projects rather than optimizing for immediate returns. Think like an owner, not an employee. Invest time in work that compounds. Don't just learn tools—understand the fundamentals.

I use active recall for studying: read/listen to a concept, write the header, then write everything from memory, check for gaps, do practice problems, review mistakes. It's slower but it sticks.

I'm not trying to be some genius prodigy. I'm just a high school junior who's willing to put in the work on a multi-year project while maintaining academic priorities. I believe that long-term, systematic effort beats talent every time.

What I'm Looking For

Not looking for anything specific right now beyond completing Gobrix and getting into a strong engineering program in Japan. If you're interested in what I'm building, feel free to reach out. If you're working on game engines, physics simulation, or low-level graphics stuff and want to talk shop, I'd love to connect.

I'm honest about where I am: still learning C++, still figuring out OpenGL, still working through the math. But I'm committed to the timeline and I know where I'm going. Gobrix launches June 2028. University in Japan starts October 2027. Everything else builds toward those milestones.

Quick Facts: 17 years old • Born Nov 24, 2008 • Indiana, USA • Japanese name: 山本陽輝 (Yamamoto Haruki) • Currently studying: C++, Japanese (goal: complete fluency), 3D mathematics • Timeline: Graduate June 2027 → Japan October 2027 → Launch Gobrix June 2028