For North Carolina Central University student Jahmir Hamilton, gaming was never just a pastime — it was a training ground.
Long before he founded a studio reaching tens of millions of players worldwide, Hamilton was a kid logging into Roblox with a curiosity that went far beyond playing the game. At just 11 or 12 years old, he immersed himself in Roblox’s vast online ecosystem, joining military-style groups, organized leagues, and competitive communities that quietly taught him leadership, organization, and business fundamentals.
“I got involved with Roblox very, very early,” Hamilton recalled in a recent interview. “I remember being about 13 years old and serving as a commissioner for a Roblox football league — drafting players and managing teams. Looking back, it’s kind of crazy.” Those early experiences planted the seeds for what would eventually become IX Studio, a global collective of developers and creators building games and digital experiences enjoyed by millions across the world.
Growing Up, Leveling Up
Like many young gamers, Hamilton eventually stepped away from Roblox as life shifted. Sports, school, and growing up demanded more of his attention. But the skills he developed during those formative years — community building, digital leadership, and creative problem-solving — never left him.
When Hamilton enrolled at HBCU North Carolina Central University, he didn’t arrive with industry connections or startup capital. What he did have was vision.
“I started at NCCU with no major connections or resources,” he said. “Just a belief that gaming could be more than entertainment — it could be opportunity.” That belief became the foundation of IX Studio.
Building IX Studio
Founded by Hamilton, IX Studio is now a global gaming collective with roughly 40 million monthly active users, a staggering achievement for a company born from grassroots creativity and student ambition. The studio focuses on building immersive games and digital experiences while creating sustainable business models within the gaming ecosystem. But for Hamilton, success isn’t measured only in user numbers.
Today, his work centers on helping young creators turn their creativity into real careers. IX Studio functions not just as a game studio, but as a platform — one that empowers developers, designers, and digital entrepreneurs to build meaningful futures in a rapidly evolving industry.
“At the core of everything I do is a serious mission,” Hamilton explained. “Using innovation, community, and business to open doors and prove that digital industries can create real-world impact.”
Watch the full interview with Jahmir Hamilton below.
