Mathias Coronel, a young artist and developer from Ciudad del Este, 340 km from Asunción, is quickly becoming a name to watch in Paraguay’s creative and tech scene. At only 22 years old, he has already carved a path that blends passion, discipline, and cultural pride. Alongside personal growth, Mathias is also building something larger: Karai Vosa (The Boogeyman), a video game inspired by Paraguayan mythology.
From curiosity to code: A young developer’s journey
“It all started from a young age,” Mathias recalls. Inspired by games such as Crash Bandicoot, he often wondered, “How are these games created?”
On his fifteenth birthday, he received his first computer and, before even starting high school, he had already taught himself to code. In 2022, he began working with the open-source game engine Godot, a skill he continues to develop alongside his studies in Informatics Engineering at UPE (Universidad Privada del Este).
Mathias admits that pursuing a personal dream has required sacrifices. “I had to put my career on hold to finish the project. Otherwise, it would have taken way too much time.”
Despite this, his determination has only grown stronger. “Everything is tricky, and in Paraguay, sometimes it is double or triple the challenge. But we stayed focused on our goals, and despite some downsides, we managed to keep going. If you insist on something, you will achieve it.”
A supportive team
His journey has not been solitary. Mathias works with a small, trusted team of friends he met in college: Alan, Gustavo, and Lucas, who support him in coding, 3D modelling, and character design. “Gustavo helps me with the character designs; he is our concept artist. Alan assists with 3D modelling, and Lucas helps me with the coding,” Mathias says proudly. “I could not have done this without them.”
Through this intense experience, Mathias has learned what truly matters. “At first, I cared about high scores or preorders, but once the game was published, the love and support it received were honestly what mattered most. We focus on the reception, especially from Paraguayan people, and take their comments to improve our work.”
Mathias also reflects on the encouragement that keeps him motivated. “After interviews, we received many positive comments and very few negative ones, which really surprised me. Celso Franco, a very famous actor in Paraguay, even wrote to me. That felt like a charm to the soul after all the hard work I put in.” His family, he says with a wide smile, are his “biggest fans.”
Karai Vosa: bringing mythology to life
Alongside personal growth, Mathias is also building something larger: Karai Vosa (The Boogeyman), a game inspired by Paraguayan mythology. “Paraguay has a rich mythology. We decided on Karai Vosa because he is somewhat forgotten and also represented in other cultures,” he explains. This title marks the beginning of what he hopes will become an anthology, blending folklore with immersive gaming experiences.
Mathias dreams big for the future. “My goal is to open a studio. I hope we can get support from people, secure funding, and create a space to work on this and other projects.”
From a young boy curious about how games were made to a self-taught developer and entrepreneur, Mathias Coronel is proof that dedication and creativity can turn dreams into reality.
Want to know more about myths in Paraguay? Check The Asuncion Times article on The Mysterious “Mr. October” In Paraguay, and why you should welcome him…
