James (Yen-Chun) Huang
Game Programmer & Designer
I am a aspiring game developer passionate about creating innovative experiences.
With
a background in engineering and a
love for board games, I bridge technical craft and creative design.
As the killer player type, I channel my competitive drive into setting high standards for
meaningful play
in games. My work explores new mechanics, from sensors to transformational design, always aiming
to
deliver novel gameplay that surprise and inspire players.
Recent Projects
-click on project to expand-
Borderless
Big Picture Studio is an interdisciplinary team innovating a new medium across 4 mobile phones by creating a 20-minute, cooperative puzzle-narrative seamlessly integrating film narrative, game design, and comic art storytelling.
- Networking
- Mobile
- Puzzle
ReNushu
ReNUSHU at CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center partners with Magnes AG to build an exergame that makes physical therapy fun and measurable with NuShu smart shoes for gait sensing and haptic feedback. From rehab to play, from play to progress, every step is progress you can see and measure.
- Local Networking
- Web
- Sensor
XHaler
Xhaler is a student-driven project exploring the use of breathing as a game input. By developing prototypes that map different breathing patterns to in-game actions, we aim to enhance immersion in virtual reality.
- VR
- Python
- Arduino
XReveal
XReveal brings ideas to life by generating 3D assets through voice commands. Powered by AI, it enables anyone (regardless of design or artistic skills) to visually share their thoughts.
- Unity
- VR
- OpenAI API
GPT Battle
A 2v2 wizard spell battle where spells are created by shouting them out loud. The microphone transcribes the voice, and ChatGPT interprets it through carefully designed rules to offer a corresponding spell.
- Unity
- Shader
- VFX Graph
Keep Your Head Up
Using two 3D Rudders as input, where both players put there feet on the rudders. One player controling the head's movement while the other is tilting the entire map. Chaotic fun between players and the environment.
- Unity
- 3D Rudder
Bar VR
A VR bar fighting experience where player engages in a card game followed by throwing and dodging glass bottles. Customized hand grabbing and throwing to bypass hardware limitations.
- Unity
- VR
- Hand Gesture
Meow Spa
A two player game using buttons to control the conveyor belt and the machines. The game is desinged to challange coordination between players by putting the correct washing procedure on cats.
- Unity
- Adaptive Controllers
Game Jams
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Voice in the Void
A thatgamecompany × COREBLAZER GAME JAM 2025 submission for the theme "Gererousity," created in two days. It's a chat-based game where players show generosity to aliens whose encrypted messages gradually become clearer, eventually receiving gifts that decorate their home planets as symbols of connection.
- Unity
- Open AI api
Moustache Twins
A Garena Game Jam 2025 submission for the theme "Super Hero," created in two days. It's a cooperative arcade game that challange the player to coordinate with each other while dodging cheetos and saving people.
- Unity
- Online Leaderboard
Mento-Issue
A Global Game Jam 2025 submission for the theme "Bubble," created in two days. It's a puzzle platformer with 10 levels, where players use Mentos and soda bottles to strategically elevate themselves. The game won the Pittsburgh site non-traditional award for its creative approach.
- Unity
- Level Design
Past Projects
-click on project to expand-
3D Virtual Gallery
An online gallery showcasing past student works of Prof. Ei Jane Janet Lin. Explored various possibility of how art can be presented in a digital way. Implemented interesting mechanism where visitors can interact with art or the gallery itself, such as painting on the wall, taking the travelator, etc.
- JavaScript
- 3D
- HTML/CSS
Hand Motion
A hand motion recognition tool using MediaPipe's solution. It not only recognizes static gestures but also movements. Users will be able to browse through web pages by scrolling with their hand mid air, reducing human contact during epidemic times. Later transformed into a game of shooting faces.
- Python
- MediaPipe
- Raspberry Pi
Duel zone
Duel zone is a two player card and area control game. Players manage their action cards to play them in the most efficient sequence. Win by either claim the most territory, develop techs or simply knock the opponent out. The game is about strategizing and anticipating moves of your opponent.
- Board Game
- Paper Prototype
Prototypes
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Pencil Shoot
- Unity
- Tile Map
Slash-Moji
- Unity
- 2D Destruction
Ghost Hunt
- Unity
- Networking
Skills
- Unity
- Unreal
- VR/XR
- C/C++
- C#
- Python
- JavaScript
- OOP
- Networking
- HTML/CSS
- Git
- Perforce
- Photoshop
- Particles
- VFX Graph
- Shader