GameFest 2025 Showcase
Winner: Impact Award
Team Members: Lyle Jaron Alcordo - Producer/Programmer/Level Designer
Nyssa Gandhi - Programmer/Level Designer
Kyle-Lamar Morgan - Programmer/Level Designer
Justin Strandell - Programmer/Sound Designer
Eduardo Huamani - Artist/Art Lead/Level Designer
Joe Pollock - Artist/Level Designer
Lara Sanlés - Artist/Level Designer
Corey Hametz - Artist
Kam (Yiren) Chen - Artist/Rig Designer
Matthew Weiskotten - Writer/Narrative Designer
Cam Durocher - Music Artist
Sean Kim - Music Artist
Boyun Wang - Level Designer
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: On the cusp of destruction, Asukal the Sugar Glider is tasked with saving his home. Join him on his adventure as he jumps, glides and battles against the robots tearing apart the forest. Parkour through fallen trees and encounter various enemies in this fast-paced and action packed 3rd-person game to renew the forest to its former glory.
Check out their itch page: https://intelligentsweater.itch.io/asukal-revenant
Team Members: Artist, Game Designer, Programmer, Writer - Leslie Zeng, M.F.A.
(Lecturer, RPI: Games and Experiential Media)
Voice actor, Sound & Game Designer, Writer - Janine Bower, M.S.
(3rd year PhD student, RPI’s Critical Game Design program)
Additional credits:
SFX Sourcing Consultant - Derrick Valen
Special thanks to Aditya Borkar (RPI student)
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: ATouchMe is an exploration into the attachments we hold onto within ourselves. It viscerally explores the things we convince ourselves of, and attends to how our internal thoughts come to potentially hide from us, coax us into submission, or even turn on us when we don’t comply. It is up to you, the player, to decide how you would like to attend to these attachments for yourself. Do you let them consume you? Do you rip them out of your existence entirely, and pretend they never existed? If so, this game asks: what might be left after you’re done? Who might you be?
Content Warning -
This game may contain sensitive content: gaslighting, manipulation, mental health concerns, violence, misophonia: wet, body horror.
Check out their itch page: https://lesliezeng.itch.io/atouchme
Team Members: Robert Reddick - Producer, AI Programmer, and Gameplay Programmer - 2nd year MS in Game Design and Development
Lucas Corey - Web Developer, 2D Artist, and Marketing Lead - 2nd year MS in Game Design and Development
Eduardo Escudero - Gameplay Programmer and Backend Developer - 2nd year MS in Game Design and Development
Kevin Insinna - UI/UX Designer/Developer and Onboarding Designer - 2nd year MS in Game Design and Development
Quinn Poyneer - 2D Artist and Sound Designer - 2nd year MS in Game Design and Development
University: Rochester Institute of Technology
Description: Bat Bots is a multiplayer arcade-style shooter. You play as a security guard tasked with guarding a cybernetics facility and when the latest prototype of robotic bats get loose, it's up to you to bring them back! Our game hopes to recreate the experience found in some older games of a similar genre, taking inspiration from one of the hit games of the 1980’s, Duck Hunt while adding new twists like cooperative multiplayer.
Play it on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3099010/Bat_Bots/
Finalist: Technical Excellence Award
Team Members:
Core Members:
Jared Goronkin - Producer - MS Game Design and Development 2nd year
James Zilberman - Combat Designer - MS Game Design and Development 2nd year
Max Qian - Art Director - MS Game Design and Development 2nd year
Rinnie Bi - Level Designer - MS Game Design and Development 2nd year
Tessla Muir - UI Developer- MS Game Design and Development 2nd year
External Members:
Dariel Ravelo-Ramos - Environmental Artist
Aaron Pastor - Writer
Damian Zeng - Concept Artist
Lulu Liu - Music Producer
Denise Guo - UI Artist
Ethan Lin - Sound Designer
Evie Chapman - Promotional Media Artist
University: Rochester Institute of Technology
Description: In Echoes In The Mists, you are the last remaining knight in a dark overrun seaport. Uncover the echoes of your past and face monsters born of the Mists in challenging combat as you seek out the source of the corruption.
Check out their itch page: https://petrichor-studios.itch.io/echoes-in-the-mists
Finalist: Impact Award
Team Members: Leland Smith (CS and GSAS 2026)
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Stuck in a fish tank too small to contain your adult size, your life is defined by the repeated and endless feedings, and reactions of the aquarium goers, possibly until you outgrow your tank where your fate is left to be decided.
Fish Tank, a 2D procedurally animated creature simulator discusses the role and responsibility that Zoos and Aquariums have to provide healthy and ideal environments for their organisms. Through this discussion, Fish Tank hopes to connect the issue of Zoo and Aquarium enclosures to how we design our own spaces and tanks.
Check out their itch page: https://maskedorchid.itch.io/fish-tank
Team Members: Christopher Vallarta - Creative Director, Producer - (RPI) Fourth Year Dual B.S. Games and Simulations Arts and Sciences / Electronic Arts, Marketing Minor
Kiran Koch-Mathews - Technical Director - (RPI) Fourth Year Dual B.S Games and Simulations Arts and Sciences / Computer Science
Aaron Bush - Gameplay Programmer - (RIT) First Year Masters Game Design and Development
Laura Costeux - 3D Artist - (Game SUP) Third Year Bachelors in Game Art
Dylan Liriano - Writer - (RPI) Graduated B.S. Games and Simulations Arts and Sciences
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Fisht Fight is a single-player VR Fishing/Boxing game where the player PUNCHES FISH for SICK AIR COMBOS in a QUEST FOR GLOBAL SUPREMACY!!! Step onto the raft to experience some goofy, jank fish that flail their fists at you. Use easy-to-grasp, difficult-to-master physics-based combat to ABSOLUTE DUNK ON THEM! Take on different challenges and fill out your Beastiary in the Arcade Mode or take some time to practice in the Training Room. There’s a whole ocean to FIGHT!
Check out their itch page: https://kiran-km.itch.io/fisht-fight
Team Members: Khayniyah Culpepper
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Flowers For You is a 2D adventure platformer made with Unity. With simple visuals and simple mechanics, Flowers For You is intended to focus on the narrative.
Currently, the game is in a prototype phase and will be subject to change in the future.
Check out their itch page: https://piperidine.itch.io/flowersforyou
Winner: Art Award
Finalist: Narrative Award
Finalist: Grand Prize
Team Members: Owen Bauman - Project Lead & Narrative Designer, 4th Year Multimedia Narrative Design BS
Brody Brewster - Level Designer, 4th Year Game Design & Development BS
Bella Frohlich - Character Animator & Environment Artist, 4th Year Game Design & Development BS
Vincent Le - Programmer & Audio Designer, 1st Year Game Design & Development MS
Esther Loo - UI/UX Designer & Marketing, 1st Year Game Design & Development MS
University: Rochester Institute of Technology
Description: Good Luck Valley is a 2D, narratively-driven, adventure-platformer set in a magical Spirit World which reflects the emotions of a single person. Follow Anari on her journey through the Spirit World, where every secret she uncovers draws her deeper into the world’s mysterious magic. As Anari, players will use athletic player movement and a versatile mushroom mechanic to explore a magical world, each action of her journey leaving a constructive result on the slowly-corrupting world around her. Meet spirits, each with their own magical characteristics and unique personalities; some will hinder your journey, others will guide it. But, along her journey, Anari might just find how to unite them all.
Check out their itch page: https://hivemind-studios.itch.io/good-luck-valley
Winner: Game Design Award
Finalist: Grand Prize
Team Members: Kevin Insinna - UI/UX Programming, Producer, Gameplay Programming (5th Year BS/MS Game Design & Development)
Sam Burgoyne - AI & Gameplay Developer (5th Year BS/MS Game Design & Development)
Lucas Corey - Aesthetics & Character Art (4th Year BS/MS Game Design & Development)
Boxi Feng - World Builder, Narrative, & Gameplay Designer (2nd Year MS Game Design & Development)
Noah Flanders - Level Designer & Gameplay Developer (5th Year BS/MS Game Design & Development)
Kendyl Greer - Environmental Artist (Graduated - BS Game Design & Development)
Shangshu (Mint) Shi - Sound Designer & Audio Tech (Graduated - MM Media Scoring & Production)
Bowen Shi - Composer (2nd Year MM Media Scoring & Production)
Ray Qu - Composer (2nd Year MM Media Scoring & Production)
University: Rochester Institute of Technology
Description: Grim's Coffin follows the journey of Grim whose purpose is bringing spirits of the dead to the afterlife. Part of this duty is transporting spirits through a dangerous realm known as The Drift through the means of a coffin. After a shocking turn of events, Grim's world is turned upside down and things will never be the same. Use your scythe to slice down foes as you navigate The Drift, find lost spirits to help you on your journey, and learn your true purpose in this 2D Metroidvania.
Check out their itch page: https://kevin-insinna.itch.io/grims-coffin
Team Members: Claire Chen, Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences/Computer Science, 2027, Programmer/UI Art
Daniel Guo, Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences/Computer Science, 2027, Programmer
Elia Poncia, Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences/Computer Science, 2026, Programmer/Audio
Jack Xie, Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences/Electronic Art, 2026, 3D Artist
Jared Lee, Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences/Computer Science, 2027, Programmer
Kevin Liu, Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences/Computer Science, 2027, Programmer
Linus Zhang, Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences/Electronic Arts, 2027, 2D Artist
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Descending into the bunker, the player must swiftly draw arcana to rid of enemies and move forth. Illustriker plays like a roguelike gauntlet, forcing players to quickly adapt in order to traverse through the enemy infested rooms.
Finalist: Art Award
Finalist: Narrative Award
Team Members: Seth Levy - Design
Charlie Bean - Art & Production - Exchange from QUT, enrolled at RPI
Nelson Qi - Art
Elias Yang - Art
Kam Chen - Art
Via Peck-Kropywnyckyj - Narrative
Marcos Devarie Rodriguez - Audio
Nyx Gonzalez - Programming
James Sullivan - Programming
Coco Tang - Programming
All RPI GSAS '25 unless listed otherwise.
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Shadow the world's greatest detectives and learn their tricks in Intervitae: Intuition Institution. In each of 3 mysterious murder cases, listen along to your mentor's interrogations, catch contradictions, and help them find how, why, and whodunnit.
Finalist: Game Design Award
Finalist: Technical Excellence Award
Finalist: Impact Award
Finalist: Grand Prize
Team Members: Jack Morehart - Game Design '25
University: New York University
Description: Kiloton puts the world in your hands... and terrible choices at your fingertips. In an innovative mix of RTS and grand strategy components you must navigate the worst-case scenarios of cold-war military planners, and lead your nation away from the brink of nuclear annihilation.
Play it on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3488900/Kiloton/
Winner: Technical Excellence Award
Finalist: Experimentation Award
Team Members: Justin Buergi - 5th Year PhD Candidate
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Within this world, there is one undeniable and absolute truth that stands firm above all others: LADDERS. ARE. BUILT. TO. BE. SCALED!
This truth has stood firm since the dawn of time and will outlive the very gods themselves!
Now, you are not just tasked but entrusted with following this noble custom of your forefathers. You must scale this ladder, overcoming every rung with determination and courage!
Check out their itch page: https://justking14.itch.io/ladders-are-built-to-be-scaled-3-ladders-are-built-to-be-scaled-competitively
Team Members: Nick Maglio - Third Year Ph.D
Sean Walsh - GSAS/EART graduate
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: LEGION MASTER is a deck building action game where you use cards to create hordes of monsters to defeat increasingly powerful heroes!
Check out their itch page: https://nmaglio418.itch.io/legion-master
Winner: Experimentation Award
Team Members: Jiuya Lin - BFA Senior - Art, Sound, Programming, etc.
University: New York University
Description: A firework show of games(?) – aka, a collection of experimental art games.
Welcome to my mind.
Check out their itch page: https://jiuya-lin.itch.io/my-beautiful-misinterpretation-of-words
Team Members: "Ricky" Zarkoski - Director/creator of game (Freshman, GSAS)
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: A multiplayer 3D platformer in which you must collect marbles and beat up enemies.
Winner: Grand Prize
Winner: Narrative Award
Finalist: Art Award
Team Members: Jeremy Kotz (Game Design & Development BS '27),
Drew Genel (New Media Design BA '25),
Connor Petrei (Game Design & Development BS '26),
Ricard Halvorson (Game Design & Development BS '27),
Joana Leong (Game Design & Development BS '26),
Jason Weinberg (Game Design & Development BS '25),
Cheryl Chang (Film & Animation BA '26)
Gale Ellis (Game Design & Development BS '24)
University: Rochester Insitute of Technology
Description: Pelican Post is a cozy narrative game about delivering mail to a town of unique characters and helping to regain a lost sense of community.
You play as Pepper, a young pelican who recently moved to Port Pleasant to take a job as the town's mailman. Through your job, you'll get to interact with and get to know the townsfolk and help them out.
Check out their itch page: https://drewg8.itch.io/secret-pelican-post?password=pepper
Finalist: Experimentation Award
Team Members: Bella Koeung-Zambrana - Director/2D Artist/2D Animator
Marisa Fernandez - UI Designer/Tech Artist
Alexie Chin - Narrative Designer
Matthew Flores - Audio Designer/Music Producer/Narrative Designer
Jay Shrestha - Programmer
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Lonely nights at your PC getting you down? Have you been wishing for some company during those long stretches of work? Well, look no further to your new best friend, Phe! You can do many activities with them like PET, FEED, TALK and PLAY and thanks to their adaptive programming technology, each interaction you have with Phe will allow them to change and grow just a little bit more. Just like a real best friend :)
So what are you waiting for? Download Phe today and become best friends forever!
Check out their itch page: https://aiyujellies.itch.io/phe-desktop-pet
Finalist: Game Design Award
Team Members: Game by Max Wilde, with art assets from various online resources and the help of several playtesters.
University: University at Buffalo
Description: In this strategy board game, 2-6 players will race to stake their claims on the frontier planet. Planet Frontier offers a mix of exploration and base building. Find resources and special research samples on the planet's surface, but be sure to return to base before you run out of oxygen!
Finalist: Narrative Award
Team Members: Julian Power, Critical Game Design Co-term Student
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Preparing for Winter is an experiment in developing multi-modal & accessible reading experiences using Twine. It was developed as a part of a masters research project assessing the media-usage and accessibility limitations of the Twine interactive fiction tool. Preparing for Winter is designed with settings and content that allow the player to experience it's story in a variety of ways. The player can opt for a pure-text experience in a number of fonts, or remove the text entirely to focus on the detailed ambient soundscapes and full vocal narration.
Team Members: Hannah Rose Dunn - Project Manager, Narrative Designer (Sophomore GSAS/COMD Student)
Wynona McWhirter - Lead Designer, Lead Programmer (Sophomore GSAS/COGS Student)
Bryan Diep - Programmer (Sophomore GSAS/CS Student)
Amber Bo - Programmer (Junior GSAS/CS Student)
Genevieve Lewis - 3D Artist, Environmental Artist (Sophomore GSAS/EA Student)
Anna Misasi - 2D Artist, Character Designer (Sophomore GSAS/EA Student)
Rachel Zheng - Character Artist, UI Designer (Sophomore GSAS/EA Student)
Marcos Devarie - Audio Designer (Senior GSAS/Music Student)
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Sea Skipper is a sailing game about building community
Check out their itch page: https://piratecrew.itch.io/sea-skipper
Finalist: Art Award
Team Members: Tyler Majewski, GSAS/CS, Class of 2026 - Solo Developer
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Spaced Out in Magickland is a mythologically inspired falling-block puzzle game. Manage a board of colorful mythological creatures as you attempt to destroy incoming waves of evil fairies. Will you achieve new heights and top the leaderboards, or will you get spaced out and lose everything?
Check out their itch page: https://drungen.itch.io/spaced-out-in-magickland
Finalist: Impact Award
Finalist: Experimentation Award
Team Members:
Programming:
- Aiden Crossfield (UI/UX Programmer | Undergraduate | Class of 2026)
- Dylan Rafael (Gameplay Programmer | Undergraduate | Class of 2027)
- Calissa Tyrrell (Dialogue System Programmer | Undergraduate | Class of 2027)
Art:
- Alex Hertz (UI/UX Artist | Undergraduate | Class of 2027)
- Jasmin Chen (Character Artist | Undergraduate | Class of 2027)
- Ryan Zoeller (Environmental Artist/Voice of Zach | Undergraduate | Class of 2027)
Writing:
- Lune DiFulco (Narrative Lead/Voice of Elmer | Undergraduate | Class of 2027)
(In-House) Music & SFX:
- Sean Kim (Sound Designer | Undergraduate | Class of 2027)
Voice Acting:
- Janine Bower (Voice of Laura | Doctorate)
- Jason Charles Miller (Voice of Eve | Non-Student)
Special Thanks
- Dr. Alisa Gabbe (Behavioral Therapy Consultant | Non-Student)
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Play as Laura, a struggling therapist, as she goes on a journey of emotions. With aid granted by a mysterious entity, console your patients with the power of music (portrayed with fast-paced charts similar to the likes of Rizline).
Check out their itch page: https://shapeguy.itch.io/temperament
Team Members:
Current Members:
Sean Alcordo (CS/GSAS '25) -Associate Director & Producer, Lead Programmer
Tyler Majewski (GSAS/CS '26) - Programmer, Creative Pipeline Designer
Leland Smith (CS/GSAS '26) - Artist, Designer, Programmer
Andrew Zeng (GSAS/CS '26) - Designer, Programmer
Arnav Mukherjee (GSAS '26) - Assistant Programmer
Previous Members:
Benny Woolbert(GSAS/EArts '23) - Hard Surface 3d Designer/Modeler *(worked until 2024)
Amanda Taglich(GSAS '25) -Art and Technical Transference
Ziyuan Wu (Architecture '23)
Charles Reverand (GSAS/CS '23)
Rebecca Broniak (GSAS/CS '23)
Mira Pianta (GSAS/CS '23)
Autumn Walters ('21) eARTS & Electrical Systems Engineering
Hongyang Lin (‘20) Computer Science & GSAS Lead Programmer/Creative Pipeline Designer
Qitong Wang ('20) GSAS & Computer Science
Diyuan Berry Zhu ('20) Computer Science & Cognitive Science
Andrew Sirkoch ('22) GSAS & eARTS
Millie Harris ('22) GSAS & Earts
Hibiki Takaku ('22) GSAS & Computer Science
Annabel Prodnuk ('22) GSAS & eARTS
Alex Akopyan: ('22) Programmer
Max Nigogosyan ('22) GSAS/Comp Sci
Xavier Marshall ('22)GSAS & Computer Science
Qingxiang Richard Chen ('21) eARTS & GSAS
Denghao Liu
Lillian Hong ('20) GSAS & Arts
Harrison Essig (’19) Computer Science
Sol Toder (‘19) GSAS & Computer Science
Gabriel Gray ('19) GSAS/Writing
Matthew Carlson ('19) GSAS/CS (’20)
Eric Lujan (‘19) GSAS & Computer Science
Brendan Courson (’18) Computer Science
Stephen Wood (’17) GSAS & Computer Science
William Brennan (‘17) GSAS & Computer Science
Jerry Huang (‘18) Architecture
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: The project explores the life of microorganisms. There is an emphasis on free exploration - you can scale yourself freely and move around in the lake. There is also an emphasis on the beauty of the lake. Explore microscopic messengers of time inspired by micropaleontology and plankton research! Can ancient forms of plankton from over 10,000 years ago help us understand the future of freshwater ecology? Sound like a scifi movie? Actually, these are the realities of real world plankton!
Play it on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1955040/The_Aquatic_Messenger/
Team Members: Joseph Schwartz
Cory McCarthy
Ni Nguyen
Aidan Doherty
University: University at Albany
Description: Want to make chores more fun? Make it a game with The Seeker! A silly guy who will hunt you down while you do them! Thrilling fun for free to solve the boredom of mundane tasks. Watch out, The Seeker loves to pretend he's a mannequin. Press E to view tasks, and F for flashlight!
Check out their itch page: https://yoinkha.itch.io/the-seeker
Team Members: Brian Wu (NYU MS CS 2nd Year) - Programmer
Kayra Yorulmaz (NYU BA CS 2nd Year) - Programmer
Andrea Chen (NYU BFA Game Design 4th Year) - Artist
University: New York University
Description: A puzzle platformer where you are an axolotl and you move bubbles around.
Check out their itch page: https://inkflown.itch.io/untidaled
Team Members:
Programmers
Anisha Biswas (CSCI/GSAS 27')
Alex Genchev (CSCI/GSAS 27')
Max Knudsen (CSCI/GSAS 27')
Artists
Isabela Laboy (Management/GSAS 27')
Katarina Moon (EARTS/GSAS 26')
Nichole Chen (EARTS/GSAS 27')
Nickolas Ho (EARTS/GSAS 26')
Writer
Eleanor Clifford (COMD/GSAS 26')
Audio Designer
Sean Kim (Music/GSAS 27')
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Walking through a carnival should be a boisterous and magical memory for all young children. What happens when something goes wrong at the end of the night?
Explore helping a child navigate through fear and get through what may seem like a small incident to most adults but instead is often a life-ending event to children.
Check out their itch page: https://anishabiswas.itch.io/unzipped
Finalist: Game Design Award
Finalist: Technical Excellence Award
Team Members: Core Team (All current students):
Eduardo Escudero (2nd Year Game Design and Development MS) - Encounter Designer & Procedural Content Generation Developer, Narrative
Rob Reddick (5th Year Game Design and Development BS/MS) - AI & Combat Developer, VFX
Pranav Rajnish (2nd Year Game Design and Development MS) - Systems and Gameplay Developer
Matt Hulse (2nd Year Game Design and Development MS) - Level & Environmental Design, 3D Art
Kaelyn 'Gil' Beeman (5th Year Game Design and Development BS/MS) - Production, Art Director, Marketing
External Team (All current students):
Victoria 'Tori' Wong (3rd Year Illustration BFA) - Concept Art + Illustration
Jojo Clemens (1st Year 3D Digital Design BFA) - Character Models
Yige Lu (1st Year Game Design and Development MS) - VFX
University: Rochester Institute of Technology
Description: Play as a masked cultist tasked with infiltrating the temples of an opposing force to restore the full power of your deity, Meliora. Using your fists and divine abilities, overcome the intense challenges that lie ahead in this dark Rogue-lite Beat ‘em up.
Improve yourself between runs by petitioning your deity for boons and blessings, granted to you by your show of devotion. Pick the upgrades in your run carefully and become a vessel worthy of your quest!
Check out their itch page: https://coming-calamity.itch.io/vessyl
Team Members: Manager - Kevin Hacene (Undergrad 2nd year).
Programmers - Thomas Wheelock (Undergrad 2nd year), Juan Devarie (Undergrad 2nd year), Tristan Wilson (Undergrad 4th year).
Artists - Eugene Oh (Undergrad 2nd year), Tyler Lin (Undergrad 2nd year), Junhao Teng (Undergrad 2nd year), Kangcheng Yuan (Undergrad 2nd year).
Music/SFX - Kevin Hacene (Undergrad 2nd year), Annabelle Eugui (Undergrad 4th year).
University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Description: Wands and Tomes is a deckbuilding roguelike inspired by Balatro and Slay the Spire. In this game, you have a deck of cards with two sides. You can either place these cards on the board to create boxes, or use these cards as spells to attack the enemy. Utilize strategy and a little bit of luck to defeat your opponent.
Check out their itch page: https://mustachioed-toad.itch.io/wands-and-tomes