About

Yang Liu | systems-focused game designer & engineer

I turn abstract ideas into testable, iterative gameplay through systems design and engineering.

I am a systems-focused game designer who also handles engineering implementation.

My work usually starts with gameplay structure, weaving in narrative, space, and interaction to build systems players can understand and explore repeatedly. I am skilled at breaking fuzzy ideas into clear rules, states, and feedback, then validating quickly through prototypes.

View resume

Game Design

  • Core gameplay and systems structure design
  • Narrative and level pacing prototyping
  • Testable, iterative gameplay frameworks

Programming

  • Unreal Engine (Blueprints + gameplay systems)
  • Unity (DOTS / prototyping)
  • Tooling and procedural pipeline setup

AI & Systems

  • Behavior-driven AI design and implementation
  • Modular systems architecture
  • Internal tools that serve design

A warm timeline

2024

Bubono's Bumperland Systems-driven RPG (core project) Led overall gameplay structure and core systems design Built multi-themed branching worlds (Burg / Abyss / Big Bang) Designed distinct spatial pacing and play experiences under shared rules Shanhe Wuxia-themed systems and narrative exploration Used "jianghu relationships" instead of numeric growth as the core driver Designed choice-led storylines and branching structure Explored how reversal-driven narrative lands within gameplay pacing

2023

Stairs in the Woods Environmental and spatial narrative experiment Explored the visual and spatial contrast between a realistic forest and low-poly elements Used spatial transitions and teleport structures to express world shifts Focused on mood and spatial experience rather than complex mechanics Ink 2D platform action prototype Used "drawing/brushstroke" as the core interaction Explored how input methods directly shape combat and movement Focused on feedback, feel, and pacing control

2022

AukAdyssey Narrative-driven RPG prototype Designed systems around "escape and growth" Aligned story progression with player goals Validated early levels and narrative pacing

Connect

Find Yang across the web

For collaboration or project ideas, feel free to reach out.