Game Software Design and Production

Michael hails from the west coast of Canada. He graduated from Emily Carr University of Art and Design with a bachelor’s degree in communication design in 2000 and worked at a series of web/interactive design studios before moving on to EA Blackbox and eventually Electronic Arts in 2002. In those roles, Michael served as a UI designer, primarily on sports properties — NHL, NBA, March Madness, and FIFA. In 2009, EA Singapore asked him to help produce FIFA Online. Following this, he moved to Ubisoft to help develop Ghost Recon Phantoms, as well as several other side projects, in 2010.

As a UX/UI designer working in the games industry, Michael has done it all: traditional UI and interaction design, information architecture, copywriting, localization, feedback and player learning paths, acquisition funnels, and production methodologies. He also developed his teaching skills by conducting internal training courses on UX/UI and design thinking.

After leaving Ubisoft in 2015, Michael taught at Singapore Polytechnic in the Diploma in Game Design and Development program for a year before moving to DigiPen in 2016.

Dr. Quick John Michael is a learning experience expert who earned his Ph.D. in Educational Technology at Arizona State University. He researched motivation and enjoyment in games. John previously obtained his bachelor’s degree in finance and information technology and master’s degree in educational technology from Michigan State University.

John’s main research interests lie in using games and multimedia to enhance learning and professional development. This includes assessing the impact of an individual’s personal characteristics, enjoyment, and motivation with regard to learning. Additionally, he is passionate about advancing the philosophy of game design and its influence on life and the community.

Throughout his career, John has worked with various organizations to create evidence-based multimedia learning experiences to improve learning and training outcomes, design and develop independent serious games for multiple platforms, and author books that apply engaging storytelling techniques to help readers learn practical computer programming, game development, and statistics skills.

John has over six years of teaching experience at the higher education level in the United States and Southeast Asia. At DigiPen (Singapore), he teaches game design, game development, and supports the project courses. John most enjoys inspiring his students to reach their highest potential and working with them to achieve it.

Elie Hosry graduated from the Lebanese University in Beirut, Lebanon with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2000. Following graduation, he joined DigiPen (Singapore) to begin working on the development of in-house game engines and tools.

Elie has served as a senior software engineer in the Research and Development department. He is also part of DigiPen’s curriculum development and the director of the Academic Support Center, which helps freshmen students with issues related to any given course.

Elie is a principal lecturer and teaches computer science courses and video game development classes.

Tomas Arce-Gil holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from New York Institute of Technology.

Tomas is a 19-year veteran of the game industry. He has created technology platforms, led R&D, QE, and production teams, and managed pipelines for a broad range of game developers. The technology he helped advance is used in the creation of games such as the All-Star Baseball series, NFL Quarterback Club series, Jeremy McGrath Supercross 2000, South Park: Chef’s Luv Shack, Tribes Aerial Assault, The Hobbit, Area-51, and Hannah Montana Spotlight World Tour. He also assisted in the production of the Saints Row and Red Faction series and helped direct Sid Meier’s Pirates for Wii and Monster Jam, among others.

Tomas has worked at several large companies such as EA, THQ, Disney, and Acclaim, as well as other studios such as Inevitable Entertainment and Iguana Entertainment. He has served in a variety of roles throughout his illustrious career from programmer to manager. His positions have included CEO, CTO, lead programmer, technical director, and senior technical director, during which time 130 programmers worked under him.

As an entrepreneur, Tomas has co-founded Tenacious, which helped Disney complete one of their products, and LIONant, a game developer and outsourcer.

Holger Liebnitz spent most of his life art directing AAA games such as Transformers, Men in Black, and a series of racing games including the F1 and Le Mans franchises. To date, Holger has worked on 29 published titles for clients such as Electronic Arts and LucasArts.

Prior to going into teaching, Holger started his career at Melbourne House, one of the first western developers creating games for the Nintendo console. Following that, he joined Atari for eight years, before spending the next 14 years working for multiple Singaporean start-ups and developing a wide range of games, as well as offering freelancing and consulting services.

At DigiPen (Singapore), Holger teaches modules relating to game design and cinematics, while also supporting the project courses. He believes that teaching is a two-way conversation and enjoys engaging, challenging, and laughing with his students. Ultimately, he hopes to help them develop strong technical and soft skills to be industry-ready upon graduation.

Crespy Patrice has been teaching game narration at Gobelins School of Animation in Paris, applied games at Glasgow Caledonian University, and interactive media at RMIT University Vietnam throughout the past 10 years.

He holds a master’s degree in information and communication sciences from Paris 8 University Vincennes-Saint-Denis and is currently completing his Ph.D. under the supervision of Paris Descartes University and the French National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts.

Patrice started his career as a game writer for tabletop miniature wargaming and roleplaying game companies such as Rackham Entertainment, Chaosium, and Goodman Games before switching to video games with humble beginnings as a junior game designer. He then climbed up the ladder, project after project, until he took over the responsibilities of lead game designer and senior producer, porting a catalog of Sierra licenses such as Spyro, King’s Quest, and Larry Laffer to mobile and consoles such as the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo Switch.

With experience in serious games, gamification projects, social games, VR applications, and transmedia projects, Patrice’s expertise covers a broad range of platforms from pen and paper to experimental cutting edge productions.

Cheng Ding Xiang received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation from DigiPen (Singapore) in 2013. He also holds a master’s degree in computing specializing in artificial intelligence from the National University of Singapore.

Upon graduation, he joined Red Hare Studios as a programmer, where he worked on a mix of mobile games and software solutions. Building upon the knowledge and experience he gained there, Ding Xiang decided to set up his own independent game studio, Homeward Bound, in 2016. During this time, he developed an Android game prototype in Unity and helped port the smash hit Cat Quest to the Nintendo Switch. He later joined The Gentlebros full time as programmer to work on Cat Quest II.

Ding Xiang got his first taste of teaching as an adjunct lecturer at DigiPen (Singapore). He combines his knowledge and wide range of industry experience to guide and mentor his students, enabling them to find their own pathways and solutions for any challenges they face. Ding Xiang believes in extending empathy and understanding to all his students by tailoring his teaching approach based on each individual’s perspectives and learning styles.

In his free time, Ding Xiang volunteers at a non-profit organization that focuses on urban sustainability. His other interests include woodworking and performing fire spinning acts as part of Bornfire Circus.

Kwek Shie Sien “Jonathan” graduated from the National University of Singapore with a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 2003.

He began work in the architecture industry and pursued a career in digital world creation and interactive applications over a span of 15 years, transitioning from game companies to virtual reality solution providers. Prior to joining DigiPen (Singapore), Jonathan worked mainly for international companies such as Koei and RealU, primarily in positions as the 3D art lead or producer. He entered the education industry in 2017 to help build up the next generation of game developers using his experience.

Jonathan’s expertise lies mainly in the creation of 3D environments for real-time interactive applications and massive online worlds, but he also has great interest in technology that has great market potential, such as mobile applications, augmented/virtual reality, and motion capture. He enjoys developing indie games and building arcade machines as a hobby, and has high hopes for the future of Singapore’s game development industry.

Jonathan is currently a lecturer in the Game Software Design and Production department, and supports the project courses with a focus on game art production. He enjoys developing indie games and building arcade machines as a hobby, and has high hopes for the future of Singapore’s game development industry.

Danielle Fong Sum Yee holds a bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication from Middlesex University London where she majored in graphic design.

Danielle joined DigiPen (Singapore) in 2022 and was formerly an adjunct lecturer at LASALLE College of the Arts and Raffles College of Higher Education where she taught modules on digital visualization, digital illustration, and digital image processing. In particular, Danielle enjoys teaching subjects on typography, identity systems, and user interface. She is also an ITE-certified trainer and has conducted short, elective modules for secondary school students who will be transitioning to the Institute of Technical Education.

Prior to becoming an educator, Danielle had been living and working in Hong Kong for 18 years. She started her career as a web and graphic designer and eventually took on project management roles in design agencies where she helped to execute diverse projects across web design, mobile applications, advertising, branding, and exhibitions. Some of the major clients that she has worked with include Singtel, HSBC Bank, Swarovski, Sony Pictures, Hongkong Land, Starbucks, and Swire Properties.

Goh Dian Yang holds a master’s degree in computer science from National University Singapore, as well as a double bachelor’s degree in accounting and business from Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Dian Yang founded indie game start-up Iterative Interactive in 2019 and has self-published multiple games on Steam, iOS, and Android. He is passionate about game development and design and loves sharing his knowledge with students and seeing them grow as individuals.

Apart from lecturing at DigiPen (Singapore), Dian Yang also teaches part-time at NTU.

Lee Chee Yuan “Alwyn” graduated from the National University of Singapore with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media in 2010.

In 2011, Alwyn decided to embark on an entrepreneurial journey and founded indie game studio, Daylight Studios. Since then, he has launched eight game titles on multiple platforms (feature phone, mobile, PC, and various consoles), the most notable of which is the Holy Potatoes! series. In 2020, Alwyn ran a successful Kickstarter campaign for Plantopia, a card game based on a web comic series called Life of a Potato. He did this in collaboration with local board game publisher, Origame.

Alwyn believes in nurturing individuals to pursue their dreams. He sees life through the lenses of gaming, unlocking creativity, and having a mindset that the world has endless possibilities. He hopes to share his knowledge and experience with DigiPen (Singapore) students, inspiring them to dream big.

Poh Keng Jin graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Computer Graphics Design (Distinction).

Upon graduation, Keng Jin started his career in Koei Entertainment Singapore. He subsequently left to start his own design studio. As the firm’s creative director, Keng Jin was responsible for conceptualizing and pitching concepts to clients, overseeing the production pipeline, and ensuring the overall quality of work. He also managed a team of artists and programmers. His firm worked on a wide spectrum of projects that included content for games, print, and other interactive mediums. The studio eventually focused solely on game development and Keng Jin was part of the team that produced several games for multiple platforms like Steam, PlayStation, and Nintendo.

In 2017, Keng Jin started RetroCade SG and designed an easy-to-build arcade machine kit. He went on to conduct multiple workshops, teaching participants to build their own arcade machines from scratch.

Keng Jin has taught as an adjunct lecturer for institutions including DigiPen (Singapore), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, and Singapore Polytechnic.