Mika's Story

Mika Millard is a 14 year old Vermont Make-A-Wish recipient who has been working alongside Rad Magpie to create her very own video game: The Cocoknight. The Rad Magpie team met Mika when her Wish was granted in January, and together, over the last eight months, we brought The Cocoknight to life.

Mika has had an interest in video games ever since she was 4 or 5 years old. A lifelong gamer, Mika came prepared with plenty of ideas and concepts for her game. Her creativity became a valuable resource for the development team and she has really shined in her role as the Co-Creative Director for the game.

Games help Mika to stay busy and social with her friends, especially since the COVID-19 outbreak in March. Spending time with friends through online games like Minecraft, especially when they can’t be together in real life, is a cornerstone for Mika.

Over Mika’s lifetime she has been hospitalized on 12 different occasions for varying lengths of time, due to lung exacerbations and issues related to cystic fibrosis. Luckily the pediatric staff at University of Vermont “always made her hospitalizations much easier” says Mika’s mom, Jessica.

Mika is a champion of a game developer and a truly awesome kid. We’re so fortunate for the opportunity to make her wish come true, and we hope you have as much fun playing The Cocoknight as we did making it!

Rad Magpie is a 501(c)3 nonprofit game studio in Vermont. Our mission is diversity, equity, and inclusion through radical interactive media, and we seek to disrupt the status quo of the games industry by championing diverse voices. We say to the world, "Anyone can make a game. Yes, even you," and we provide the tools and empowerment to make it happen.

To learn more about Rad Magpie, visit our website at radmagpie.org. We rely on the support of donors just like you, so we encourage you to help sustain our mission by donating here.