- Gameplay & Mission Designer
Narrative Systems & Worldbuilding
Design-leaning Producer & Coordinator
Narrative Systems & Worldbuilding
Design-leaning Producer & Coordinator
M.F.A in Game and Interactive Media
2022 - 2025
New York University
B.S. in Interactive Media Arts,
Minor in Creative Writing
2017 – 2021
Banana Republic
Present
Lead Narrative Designer
Desol
Present
Creative Director
Alibi
2024 - 2025
Associate Director, UIUX Designer
How to Pet Your Cat
2024
Associate Director, Level Designer
InSync
2024 - 2025
Design Lead, Quest Designer
Abort: The Exile
2023 - 2024
Narrative Designer, Writer
Installation Wizard
2023 - 2024
Narrative Designer, Writer
Grandma Green
2022 - 2023
Narrative Designer, Writer
Machine Heart
2022 - 2023
DaChu Interactive
Present
Cinematic Designer
SEASUN GAMES
2021 - 2022
UIUX Design Intern
Alipay (Shanghai)
2021
User Research Intern
Microsoft (Chengdu)
2020
Manager Assistant Intern
Microsoft Professional Program
2018
Game Development Principle, Tabletop RPG, Game System Design
USC Games
2023-2025
Information Assistant
NYU Academic Resource Center
2018
IGF alt.ctrl.GDC Finalist
2025
MUSE Creative Awards Gold Winner 2026
GDC 2025,
Day of the Devs 2025,
IGN Live 2025,
CatCon 2025,
USC Games Expo (2023, 2025)
Last Updated 25.11.05
Installation Wizard
Narrative DesignerInfo
- Duration: May 2023 - May 2024
- Genre:Visual Novel, Narrative Adventure, Fantasy, Choice-based, Indie，Family Drama
- Platform：PC, Mac
- Engine：Unity2D
-
Link: itch.io
- Role: Narrative Designer, Writer
Installation Wizard tells a fantastical yet intimate story about intergenerational communication. Players take on the role of Albarn, a young man of immigrant background, who reconnects with long-lost relatives in the old country while caring for his gravely ill mother. As Albarn supports his grandmother’s visit, the narrative explores how emotions, cultural divides, and hidden histories shape the way families connect.
The game combines branching dialogue and interactive choice-making with light survival mechanics inspired by Oregon Trail. Players remotely guide their grandmother through magical obstacles, unreliable signals, and long-standing family conflicts—decisions that test emotional sensitivity and determine both her journey’s outcome and Albarn’s family story.
Exhibited at the USC Games Expo 2024, Installation Wizard reached a wide audience of players and industry professionals. Later released on itch.io, making the game publicly accessible to a broader community.
- Co-designed Zotto the Uncle, one of the game’s most popular characters. Defined his role, theme, personality, strengths and flaws, arc and voice. Developed his backstory and relationships, inspiring events for three parent-generation characters.
- Crafted Zotto’s key events and branching paths, including integrated enemy design. Contributed to grandmother-centered storylines, ensuring multiple endings supported both gameplay flow and meaningful exploration of family dynamics.
- Scripted opening dialogues between the protagonist and mother, establishing background, relationships, and the inciting incident.
© 2026 Rosie Gao. All rights reserved.