Rosie Gao

I’m a game narrative designer,
an interactive media storyteller

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Education

University of Southern California
Game and Interactive Media MFA
2022 - 2025

New York University (NYU)
B.A. in Interactive Media Arts,
Minor in Creative Writing

Shanghai / New York
Sep 2017 – May 2021 (COVID-19 adjusted)

Project Experience

Vestibulum Ultricies
Suspendisse Aenean Vestibulum
2023 - 2024

Pellentesque Habitant
‘Morbi Tristique Senectus’
Nunc Euismod Faucibus,
Porta Libero
2024

Volutpat Ultricies
Curabitur Fringilla Ornare,
Duis Quis
(since 2020)

Employment

Academic Roles

Exhibitions

(upcoming) Tincidunt TBA
Ultricies Ultricies,
Congue Nisl
2024

(upcoming) Vestibulum-Vitae
Auctor Ipsum,
Dictumst Ligula,
Porta Libero
2024

Egestas
Condimentum Senectus,
Purus Aliquet,
Porta Libero
2021

Last Updated 25.06.05

Installation Wizard
Narrative Designer

A heartfelt visual novel about family and distance, where you remotely guide your grandmother to fight through magical creatures, bad cell service, and difficult family conversations.

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.

Info

Duration: May 2023 - May 2024
Genre: Visual Novel, Narrative Adventure, Fantasy, Choice-based, Indie，Family Drama
Platform：PC, Mac
Engine：Unity
Link: itch.io
Role: Narrative Designer, Writer

Contributions

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.

See more:
[Narrative Design in Installation Wizard →]