Upward Descent

As my first game project and first studio class experience, Upward Descent was developed by a team of five. The game is a psychological thriller with a strong narrative focus, designed to immerse players in an interactive environment. Players collect clues and explore an unsettling domain where mood shifts are reinforced through changes in terrain, lighting, and audio. The journey culminates in a twist ending: the player believes they have caused a disaster, only to discover it was actually their twin sister.

My Role (Lead Developer, Game Design, and Interaction)

Game Design (Lead) – Directed narrative structure and gameplay flow, ensuring mechanics supported the story’s psychological tension.

Development – Implemented core gameplay features, interactive systems, and animation blendspaces/controls to create fluid character movement.

Environment Building – Designed and constructed immersive 3D spaces that enhanced storytelling and exploration.

Asset Concept Art – Produced early design concepts for in-game assets, supporting visual consistency across environments.

Branding Concept Support – Contributed to the development of the game’s branding direction, aligning visuals with the psychological thriller theme.

Companion App & UI/UX – Designed and developed an interactive companion app, while also building in-game UI systems, interaction features, and sound design for menus and navigation.

Effects & Polish – Created in-game effects and audio cues to heighten mood and enhance the player’s sense of discovery.

This project marked my first experience leading development in a collaborative studio environment. It allowed me to merge technical problem-solving with creative storytelling while strengthening my skills across design, art, and interactive systems.

contributions: lead developer, game design, asset concept art, companion app, environment building, branding, UI interaction, asset interaction, animation blendspace/controls, UI sounds, effects