Game Overview
‍8SUNS is a top-down arena shooter featuring customizable mechs, developed by Viking Potatoes. Set in a distinct world that blends techno-Aztec aesthetics, the game captivated audiences at various game expos with its unique visual style and fast-paced combat.

Developed on the proprietary Barok Engine, 8SUNS includes two distinct arenas, a diverse cast of enemies—including a challenging boss—and a player character equipped with customizable weapons. Despite its potential, the game remained a hobby project, developed after hours, and was never fully published or completed.

My Role
‍As the game designer for 8SUNS, I took over from a previous designer who had left the project. My responsibilities included revising and refining the original design documents to align with the development team’s skills and capabilities. In addition, I played a key role in crafting the game’s lore, designing a unique in-game language, and developing the core gameplay mechanics. I also contributed to level design and actively participated in testing.

Beyond design, I worked closely with the team during expos, managing the booth and showcasing the game to players, gathering valuable feedback and insights.

Key Responsibilities

• Rewriting and refining the original design documents to fit the team’s technical strengths
• Creating the lore, backstory, and a unique in-game language to enrich the game world
• Designing core mechanics and balancing the gameplay experience
• Assisting with level design and conducting gameplay testing
• Representing the game at expos by maintaining the booth and engaging with players

Key Insights
‍8SUNS was my first experience working on a non-solo, PC-dedicated game, and it was the largest development team I had collaborated with at that stage of my career. It introduced me to working with a proprietary engine and underscored the value of hobby-driven development, even when commercial success isn’t achieved. The project demonstrated the importance of passion and teamwork, and provided invaluable experience in collaborating on a large-scale project.