Hello there!

I’m Blaer Zhang, a Game Designer from China, currently studying at NYU Game Center Graduate Program.

I’m passionate about creating playful games that bring a new sensory experience as well as creative mechanics to players.

Besides, I also enjoy filmmaking and photography.

Let’s go get some fries on the pier.

Digital Games

  • Bam Boom Blade (2023)

    Game Designer / Programmer / Audio Designer

    A physics-based 2D joust game for 2. Players will act as a WuXia riding on a bamboo, and try to defeat the rival using only 2 joysticks on the gamepad.

    What I did:

    • Designed the whole game

    • Programmed the whole game using C# Script, Feel, Unity New Input System and DOTween

    • Designed the Audio

    • Played the Bamboo Flute

  • Keyboard Olympics (2022)

    Game Designer

    A local 2-player keyboard physics game. 2 players will fight against each other through a number of different sports games, on a single keyboard.

    What I did:

    • Designed 5 game modes

    • Made prototypes for modes using Unity Engine and C# Script

    • Tuned Rigidbody parameters to reach an ideal feel of touching

  • Train of Thoughts (2022)

    Narrative Designer / Animation / Lighting

    A soundscape walking simulator. Players will walk through a subway train running on Manhattan Bridge, with the supernatural ability to hear passengers’ inner voice.

    What I did:

    • Wrote all characters dialogs

    • Made animation for slide doors and Manhattan Bridge using Animator and C# Script

    • Adjusted Directional Light and Skybox to create the sunset vibe

  • Which One is Me? (2023)

    Game Designer / Programmer / Audio Designer

    A 2D pixel puzzle game. Players will act as a student trying to find themselves among the formation during the morning exercise.

    What I did:

    • Designed the game

    • Programmed the whole game using C# Script, Animator and DOTween

    • Designed the Audio

    • Designed the Narrative

  • Audiences' Choice (2021)

    Game Designer / 2D Artist

    A 2D digital simulation game. Players will act as Casting Director to pick actors/actresses according to the given scripts.

    What I did:

    • Designed the whole game

    • Created all visual assets and UI using Illustrator

Game Jams & Prototypes

  • The Map Has A Hero (2023)

    Game Designer / 2D Artist / Audio Designer

    Made for GMTK Game Jam 2023 in 48 hours
    Ranked #82 out of 6835 in Enjoyment
    Ranked #229 out of 6835 in Overall


    A little weird 2D pixel Sokoban RPG. However, instead of controlling the avatar to push the box, players actually control the map and move the walls to push different kinds of stuff on the map.

    What I did:

    • Co-designed the core gameplay

    • Designed 15 of 16 levels

    • Programmed menu and buttons using Unity Engine and C# Script

    • Made most 2d pixel arts and animations using Aseprite and Animator

  • Project Pioneer Recovery (2023)

    Game Designer / Programmer / Animator / Audio Designer

    Made for Ludum Dare 54 Game Jam in 72 hours
    Ranked #74 out of 1597 in Innovation
    Ranked #130 out of 1597 in Mood

    An UI Management game that encourages you to exploit the limited UI space, discover your own UI layout dynamically to better overcome the obstacles during your operation.

    What I did:

    • Co-designed the core gameplay

    • Programmed basic movement, scalpel, radar, star system, asteroid and pioneer body instantiation in C#

    • Made UI animation, star system animation, opening / ending animation using Dotween.

    • Designed and implemented all the sound using samples and Adobe Autidion and C#

Tabletop Games

  • Moments (2022)

    Game Designer / Graphic Designer

    A party game played with photos in your cellphone galleries. Through the given cards as prompts and rules as structures, players share with each other their photos as well as the moments behind.

    What I did:

    • Co-designed the game with other designers

    • Designed all photos using Photoshop

    • Crafted and printed all materials for prototypes

  • Cinema Paradosso (2021)

    Individual Project

    A tabletop simulation game. Players will act as cinema managers to run the business under difficult situations.

    What I did:

    • All

  • Hollywood Nepotism (2022)

    Game Designer / Narrative Designer

    A 2-4 players competitive card & tile game. Players will act as movie crews to try to build relationship with as many figures and celebrities in hollywood as possible in order to reach those ace filmmakers.

    What I did:

    • Co-designed the game with other Designers

    • Designed narrative for some charactor cards

    • Crafted and printed materials for prototypes