This case study research sought to understand a subset of the next generation in reference to virtual world learning within a game development course. The students completed an ill-structured team project which was facilitated using authentic learning strategies within a virtual world over a period of seven weeks. Research findings emerged from the study that included game development learner perceptions toward virtual world learning, game development learner archetypes in a virtual world, and game development team leader attributes in a virtual world. Implications are discussed in terms of game developer archetypes, team leader attributes and potential success factors for virtual world learning for the next generation student.