Zitao Zhang

2023.9 - Now

Clark University

Major: Interactive Media: Game Design & Development

Game Designer: Combat Design

Yoozoo Games   2024.6~2024.8
少年西游记2  - Combat Designer

Chinese title retained for cultural accuracy and searchability in official sources. This game did not ship in English regions.

Character Design

• Developed 5 playable characters from concept to implementation, covering abilities, VFX, and numerical balancing.
• Partnered with programming and art teams to synchronize skill logic, visuals, and gameplay consistency
• Owned end-to-end testing for skill mechanics, balancing, and visual execution.

Artifact System

• Created 7 artifact skill sets and 14 enhancement effects, defining visual specs and logic parameters.
• Collaborated cross-functionally to ensure quality execution, followed by iterative testing.

Character Skins

• Directed VFX design for 6 character skins, overseeing art integration and logic validation.

Event Levels

• Designed 3 boss levels and 10 challenge modifiers tailored to limited-time character pools.
• Verified logic implementation through scripting and cross-team testing.

Big Huge Games   2023.4~2023.6
DomiNations- Associate Designer

• Authored 300+ in-game quiz questions, including answers, hints, and interactive feedback.
• Designed upgrade numerical values for 8 tower defense units, ensuring overall balance.
• Created 100+ lore-consistent in-game names.

G.U.A - Level Designer
4-member team | FPS racing game | Core feature: "cheat-enabled" gameplay

• Built whitebox levels based on narrative and design pillars; authored and maintained art requirement documents.
• Integrated and debugged mission systems using Blueprint scripting; designed cinematic sequences.
• Composed a theme song and its variations for different chapters.
• Created sound effects and developed an SFX list based on system requirements.

Platform Dungeon - Producer & Designer
4-member team | Platformer | Core mechanic: "interactive floors granting special abilities"

• Owned core gameplay, level design, and 3C (Character, Controls, Camera) design.
• Authored and maintained Game Design Documents (GDD) to align development vision.
• Orchestrated team collaboration:
  Assigned tasks to programmers, artists, and UI designers to facilitate project progress.
• Hosted meetings to coordinate workflows and track milestones.

Project TowerDefense - Producer & Designer
3-member team | Tabletop TD game | Core feature: "mobile towers"

• Defined core mechanics, tower systems, and enemy designs via GDD.
• Designed 4 levels and 5 enemy types to ensure tactical diversity.

Project TBS - Designer
Solo-developing | turn-based strategy | Core mechanic: "gain energy through attacks"

• Design and implemented core mechanics using blueprint, including damage calculation, state transition and ability system which utilized GAS system.
• Configured AI behavior logic and player control systems through blueprint-driven workflows

Douglas AR - Designer
Academic Internship | Serious Game Project | AR project reconstructing a town’s historical evolution over a century

• Evaluated technical feasibility of converting archival 2D photos into 3D models using photogrammetry pipelines.
• Researched regional history to develop contextual AR storytelling frameworks and multi-layered environmental interactions.
• Authored design documentation outlining model reconstruction standards and narrative implementation workflows.

Cross-Campus Anime Society - Founder & President

• Established and managed a multi-campus ACG community club, organizing regular online/offline cultural events.
• Expanded membership to 31 students, promoted the local ACG community, and earned widespread recognition.