Ng Xian Wen
Game Designer
My Projects
August 2023 - November 2023
MALWARE.exe
It is the mid-2000s, and you find yourself logging into your dinosaur PC. At first, everything seems like the usual, but soon you find some unknown malware taking over your PC. They say that the cursor is mightier than the sword... will you be able to fend off the pesky malware before your computer implodes?
Project Details:
Made by: Lowbatt Studios (2 Members)
Genre: 2D Point-&-Click Defense
Built on: Unity
Duration: 13 Weeks
Responsibilities:
Product Manager / Mechanics Designer / Artist
-
Due to our small team size, responsibilities were shared between the two of us, contributing to our strengths
-
Mainly contributed to the mechanics of the malware and the overarching experience of the game
-
Ultimately, this project was a pursuit of our personal creative goals as well as an exercise of our skills
Looking Back:
The two-man team size, and our familiarity and comfort with working with each other have made this project a much smoother one to work on. We focused on contributing based on our strengths and covering up for the weaknesses of the others. Ultimately, we used this project as an opportunity for one final creative expression in a school project, as well as to exercise and put all the skills we have gained throughout the years into one simple game/experience.
September 2022 - April 2023
LUMA
The Successor of the Sun finds herself awakened in a world consumed by chaos and darkness. She must now fulfil her destiny of restoring light to the world, with the help of the spirit of light, Luma.
Project Details:
Made by: Team Pharos (11 Members)
Genre: 3D Atmospheric Puzzle
Built on: Prime8 Engine (Custom)
Duration: 28 Weeks
Responsibilities:
Product Manager / Narrative Designer / 3D Character Animator and Modeller
-
Designed the narrative and story of the game, including some world-building and lore
-
Co-designed the core mechanics of the game
-
Co-design the environment of the game world
-
Directed the voiceovers and narrations in the game
-
Produced character animations and models
-
Worked closely with the Art Lead to deliver our final aesthetic vision
-
Oversaw production of the game and communication in the team
-
Handled the presentation front of our project
Looking Back:
With a bigger team and a much bigger scope, this project posed to be a huge challenge. This project allowed me to design a bigger and more expansive world, pushing my abilities as a narrative designer further. It also challenged me to expand my skill sets, having had to take up multiple major roles. Overall, we managed to deliver a game which I am proud of, and I have gained plenty of experience through this project.
September 2021 - April 2022
B-LOB
B-LOB, a science experiment gone wrong escapes its captors with its slimy antics.
Project Details:
Made by: Team 7 Lives (7 Members)
Genre: 2D Side-Scrolling Platformer
Built on: SLives Engine (Custom)
Duration: 28 Weeks
Responsibilities:
Product Manager / Narrative Designer / Mechanics Designer / Audio Designer
-
Designed the narrative and story of the game, including some world-building and lore
-
Designed the core mechanics and patterns of obstacles and AI enemies
-
Directed the sound design and composed original tracks for the 3 levels
-
Oversaw production of the game and communication in the team
-
Handled the presentation front of our project
Looking Back:
This project introduces working with Programmers, another discipline within the games industry. My primary role as a product manager had also given me further insight and experience in working with a small team of talents who possess various skill sets. This project pushed me further on all fronts, and I am proud to have designed this fun little easy-to-pickup game with my fellow teammates.
January 2021 - April 2021
Curtain Call
Kurtin, a retired clown decides to return to his old circus grounds to relive past memories as his final curtain call.
Project Details:
Made by: Team SMXSH (5 Members)
Genre: 2D Side-Scrolling Narrative
Built on: Unity Engine
Duration: 12 Weeks
Responsibilities:
Product Lead / Narrative Designer / Mechanics Designer
-
Designed the various NPC backstories and overarching narrative
-
Designed the mechanics to meld with the NPC stories and traits
-
Oversaw production of the game and communication in the team
-
Handled the presentation front of our project
Looking back:
This project posed to be a huge challenge as it was our first major project working with Artists. Through this project, I had learned to work with artists and put priority on the team's communication between the designers and artists. While initially struggling with an over-scoped project, we managed to scope down the project, all without forsaking the final vision and quality of our product. I am proud to have designed a compelling narrative experience which has been well-received by the players.
Team photo after submission
Team photo edited to mirror our characters
August 2020 - December 2020
The Missing Case of John Doe
Timmy, a young boy who had lost his stuffed toy deer, John Doe, must now investigate its mysterious disappearance.
Project Details:
Made by: Team NSP (3 Members)
Genre: 2D Side-Scrolling Narrative
Built on: Unity Engine
Duration: 12 Weeks
Roles & Responsibilities:
Product Lead / Designer
-
Co-designed the game's narrative
-
Co-designed the game's gameplay
-
Co-designed the game's character designs
-
Designed and drew NPC art assets
-
Oversaw production of the game
Looking back:
As the first major game project in DigiPen, this project was paramount to introducing me to the world of game development. The three of us worked together on all the details of our project and eventually split our tasks according to our skillset and expertise. I primarily functioned as the game's production lead, overseeing the overall production of the game, as well as its final presentation.