Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Projects
Timeline
Generic

Yanzhu (Vivian) Chen

Brooklyn

Summary

Game developer and designer with a focus on both digital and tabletop formats. Passionate about creating meaningful, player-centered experiences from concept to completion. Comfortable working solo or collaboratively across different stages of development, with a hands-on approach to prototyping, systems design, and implementation. Currently pursuing an MFA in Game Design at the New York University Game Center.

Overview

1
1
year of professional experience

Work History

Game Design Intern

Pandada Games
Hangzhou
05.2024 - 08.2025
  • Collaborated with design team on 2D side-scrolling runner game Ninja Must Die 3.
  • Contributed to the development and refinement of the in-game user-generated content editor for multiplayer gameplay.
  • Prototyped story levels for character XuShi in partnership with artists and developers.

Teaching Assistant

NYU Game Center
Brooklyn
01.2025 - 05.2025
  • Facilitated weekly lab sessions and supported lectures for undergraduate game development course.
  • Provided support for student development in gameplay systems, debugging, and Unity-related implementation.
  • Coordinated course communications, and maintained class resources.

Education

Master of Fine Arts - Game Design

New York University
New York, NY
05-2025

Bachelor of Design Innovation - Media Design

Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington, New Zealand
12-2019

Skills

Game Development

  • Unity 3D / C#
  • Unreal Engine / Blueprints
  • GameMaker Studio / GML

Narrative Tools

  • Yarn Spinner

Art & Visuals

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Aseprite
  • Autodesk Maya
  • ZBrush
  • Substance Painter

Production

  • Notion
  • Google Suite
  • Microsoft Office

Languages

English
Full Professional
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native/ Bilingual

Projects

The Ark — Independent Game Developer

  • Designed the full concept, narrative structure, gameplay systems, and interactive flow of a first-person puzzle game prototype.
  • Built a playable demo in Unreal Engine featuring interactive puzzle mechanisms and environmental storytelling.
  • Created all in-game visual assets, including level layout, puzzle elements, and environment art.

  

Treasure Hunt Island — Independent Game Designer

  • Designed a competitive tabletop game centered around strategic movement, character abilities, and dynamic environmental effects.
  • Created all game materials and visual assets using Photoshop, Maya, and ZBrush, including map layout, character tokens, and skill icons.

Timeline

Teaching Assistant

NYU Game Center
01.2025 - 05.2025

Game Design Intern

Pandada Games
05.2024 - 08.2025

Master of Fine Arts - Game Design

New York University

Bachelor of Design Innovation - Media Design

Victoria University of Wellington
Yanzhu (Vivian) Chen