My Projects
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The Nomad’s Curse
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Download for Windows on itch.io!
Download for iOS 16.0 & up: iOS Open Beta Build 1.4
*Please note that for the iOS version, you must have the TestFlight app installed.
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Engine: RPG Maker MV
Platforms: Windows PC, Steam, iOS
My Roles: Creator, Writer, Director, Programmer, Designer
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Plot Synopsis:
A man who is avoids making genuine connections with other people is pulled into a twisted game by the gods and demons. He soon discovers others, from different times and dimensions, have been pulled into the game as well. Now he must decide if he is willing to team up with them to escape this fate or try to fight it alone.
Gameplay:
The Nomad’s Curse is a classic role-playing game, with escape room game elements. The object is to find a way to escape each area and free yourself from the demon’s game. However while most RPGs will give you a clear goal and a definitive path to reach the goal, this title will only give you a vague objective, escape, and relies on environmental storytelling for the player to discover a means to achieve that objective. Each area features multiple escape routes, but only one will help you reach the ‘true ending’.
Players will experience classic turn-based battles, using the Active Time Battle system. The decisions players make in and out of battle will affect the game. You can choose a solo adventure or try to gain powerful allies. Be careful, if you choose the wrong dialogue option you may be in for a fight instead! Exploration is interaction is strongly encouraged. This game is full of secrets, minigames, surprises, and easter eggs!
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I used this project for my graduate school thesis. The goal was to learn how to create both a gameplay loop and systems that flow into one another.
While RPG Maker is generally considered a beginning game engine, it can become quite robust using ingenuity and coding. I personally created the ATB battle system and a publicly available JavaScript plugin for using the Konami Code, a first for the engine.
Another thing I learned is how to create and distribute apps on the Apple App Store using XCode, App Connect, and TestFlight.
The Nomad’s Curse overview.
The Nomad's Curse - Level 1 Overworld View
The Nomad's Curse - Battle View featuring ATB
The Nomad's Curse - Menu
The Nomad's Curse - NPC Interaction
The Nomad's Curse - Blackjack Minigame
The Nomad's Curse - Level 2 Overworld Interaction
Dig 2 Graves
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My Role(s): Battle System Design
Engine: Unity 6
Genre: Role-Playing Game
Release Date: TBA
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Story Synopsis:
In the midst of a bitter war, Pollux seeks revenge for the murder of his brother. He finds himself alongside an unlikely ally, who may be connected to his brother’s demise.
Gameplay:
Dig 2 Graves is a 3D, turn-based RPG that harkens back to classics such as Final Fantasy IX and Bravely Default. The battle system is built around inflicting and effectively stacking status effects to unleash powerful attacks. In the overworld, characters move around on pre-rendered background in 3D. This is similar to the PS1-era Final Fantasy games.
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With this project, I learned about creating functional prototypes of games. I built this game from concept. I created all the rules and learned about game balancing and playtesting. I learned to take constructive feedback and apply it to me work to provide a better player experience.
A physical prototype has been created, in addition to a digital one available on Tabletop Simulator on Steam.
Buck & Frankie: Pet Detective Files
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Release Date: TBD
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Platforms: Windows PC, Steam
My Roles: Creator, Writer, Director, Programmer
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Plot Synopsis:
Retired K-9 police dog Buck and his housemate Frankie seem like ordinary dogs. While their owner is away, they get to work solving all of the pet mysteries of the neighborhood. Missing toys and tipped over trash cans are the usual cases. However, this is no ordinary case. Someone is ransacking homes and innocent dogs are being blamed for the mess! Not wanting them to be accused of being “bad dogs”, the hard-boiled Buck and his loveable partner Frankie vow to solve the case and restore the victims’ reputations of being “good dogs”.
Gameplay:
This visual novel incorporates puzzle solving elements into the gameplay. Players will experience three phases of gameplay: Interrogation, Investigation, and Deduction. In Interrogation, players play as Frankie to gather information from witnesses. In investigation, you take control of Buck to search the crime scene for clues. Finally Deduction, where you go over your findings and add or eliminate suspects. The fellow neighborhood pets, a diverse and colorful cast of animals, will have plenty of cases to keep you busy, and solving those might help you solve the main case! Look forward to this family-friendly mystery!
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This is a personal project that I am building in Unreal Engine 5. This project is helping me build databases within the engine, using the visual novel elements.
The 3D exploration sections are teaching me to build and debug issues within a 3D environment.
The game is also plot-heavy, which has helped me learn coherent storytelling and script writing.
This is a work-in-progress. You can see early concept art for characters as well as some of the very early work in-engine.
A early prototype of Buck & Frankie: The Pet Detective Files in Unreal Engine 5.
Overview of early build of the tutorial map.
Concept art for Frankie
Concept art for Buck
Prototype 3D model of Buck, used in Investigation stages
Grey blockout of tutorial map
Isometric view of grey blockout of tutorial map.
Other Video Game Contributions
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Creator: Jonathan Reburn
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
My Role(s): Producer, Tester
Genre: Shooter
Summary:
A project being created as part of the WVU Game Design Master’s program. I act as a tester & producer for this project, giving creative and technical suggestions, as well as assisting with documentation.
I provide bug testing and reporting.
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Creator: Zachary Frye
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
My Role(s): Producer, Tester
Genre: 3D Platformer
https://celestialexplorer7.wordpress.com/showcase-and-demonstration/
Summary:
A project being created as part of the WVU Game Design Master’s program. I act as a tester & producer for this project, giving creative and technical suggestions, as well as assisting with documentation.
I provide bug testing and reporting.
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Creator: Conner Rush, FYRE Games
Engine: Unity
My Role(s): Quality Assurance
Genre: Walking Simulator, Horror
Summary:
See it on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3180410/Project_Songbird/
Other game projects I am contributing to.
Main menu for Celestial Explorer
The opening area of the 3D platformer Celestial Explorer
Gameplay of Celestial Explorers
The Ithaca Protocol in-engine.
Battle of Kingdoms
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My Role(s): Designer, Creator
Engine: Board Game (Physcial prototype built), Tabletop Simulator prototype: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3074751698
Genre: Tactical, territory control
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Synopsis:
Battle of Kingdoms mixes territory control with deckbuilding. Players draw and play cards seeking to overrun the other kingdoms and rule the realm. Currently, a prototype version is available on Tabletop Simulator. There has been interest from fandoms such as Star Wars and RWBY into adapting a fan version for those series.
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With this project, I learned about creating functional prototypes of games. I built this game from concept. I created all the rules and learned about game balancing and playtesting. I learned to take constructive feedback and apply it to me work to provide a better player experience.
A physical prototype has been created, in addition to a digital one available on Tabletop Simulator on Steam.
Battle of Kingdoms (Prototype) on Tabletop Simulator.
Battle of Kingdoms digital prototype
Battle of Kingdoms digital prototype - cards
Battle of Kingdoms digital prototype overview