NEW YEAR

Introduction 

“New Year” is a first-person psychological horror game developed in Unreal Engine 5 by a five-member team over eight months, and exhibited at York University’s 2025 Graduation Showcase. As a game director, lead programmer, and core artist, I led the creation of a deeply emotional narrative. The game follows Li Ming as he returns to his childhood home after his father’s death, confronting memories of family conflict, cultural identity, and spiritual tension. Through exploring old belongings and reliving New Year traditions, players guide him in choosing between holding onto the past or embracing his future. The game explores themes of immigrant identity, generational trauma, and the struggle for self-reconciliation. 

Credits

As the Game Director, I led the 8-month development of our first-person psychological horror game in Unreal Engine 5, managing production schedules, setting clear goals and deadlines, and managing a five-member team. I regularly held Zoom meetings to define the game’s direction and player experience, working closely with our animator Yang Zhiyi, Hao BangDeng and writer Lee to design impactful cutscenes and emotional storytelling. I also contributed to the game’s core programming, visual design, and music/sound production, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality result. Using level blueprints, I helped implement dynamic events, sound, and visual effects. With strong collaboration—especially with level designer Andy—our team delivered a polished, visually striking experience. The game was showcased multiple times by York University as a digital media event show, and I was honoured with a scholarship award for my leadership and contribution.

ank you for playing NEW YEAR. We hope you enjoy the experience.