Projects

Kia Ora! I'm Zala

I'm a game designer, currently working as a Senior Game Designer at Dinosaur Polo Club. I work on personal projects in my spare time, some game projects some design outside of games.I'm passionate about systems and accessible design, and I love talking design in any field - message me if you'd like to chat!

Contact me at [email protected] for formal enquiries
Flick me a message on LinkedIn or Twitter for informal chats

Magic School

A management simulation game where the player builds and runs a school of magic. Help your faculty keep your school functioning amidst the chaos of student shenanigans, headmaster rivalries, and magical mystery.

Responsibilities

Leading the design of the game
Working with the creative director to solidify vision
Designing the build system
Designing the behavioural system
Additional systems design and systems support
Defining the core game loop
Communicating cross-department needs within design

Mini Motorways

A game about drawing the roads that drive a growing city. Build a road network, one road at a time, to create a bustling metropolis. Redesign your city to keep the traffic flowing, and carefully manage upgrades to meet the changing demands. How long can you keep the cities of the world moving?

Responsibilities

Leading prototyping teams through prototyping processes
Designing and ideating new features and systems
Level design and map creation
Process & leadership mentoring
Communicating cross-department needs within design
Representing the design team to management and c-suite

Unannounced Titles - RiffRaff Games

During my time at RiffRaff Games (formerly Studio Mayday) I worked as a Game Designer alongside a Design Lead and Creative Director. All of our work remains under NDA and as such no details can be shared. This page will be updated when any information is publicised.

Responsibilities

Combat systems design
Designing core gameplay loops within a narrative brief
Level design and implementation, greyboxing and level flow
Designing quests and puzzles
Leading feature teams through iteration and execution
Presenting and pitching concepts
Conducting design reviews and user tests

Accessibility Unlocked

Accessibility Unlocked is an organization of accessibility advocates and experts, eager to change the shape of game development in Australia & New Zealand. Made up of disabled, neurodiverse, gender diverse, queer and allies, we believe in raising the profile, awareness, connections, and understanding of accessibility in the games industry - and we work to do our part locally.

Responsibilities

Strategy and operation alongside other co-founders
Consulting and communicating with individuals and studios
Connecting people with resources and subject experts
Organizing and running our global Access Jam

Team Size | 4
Role | Game Accessibility Expert & Co-Founder
Company | Accessibility Unlocked

Angry Peaches

A simple 1v1 fighter designed for two players on a dual joystick controller - or one keyboard. Created solo over a week to accompany the release of a beer, following client requirements. Released for an arcade event - commissioned by Garage Project and Bar SK.

Responsibilities

Designing to a client brief
Designing and programming for an arcade controller
Developing the game start to finish within a week

New Zealand Games Festival

NZ Games Festival is a grassroots, not-for-profit festival run by gamers and game developers. We aim to celebrate NZ and Australian games and promote the industry as a tool for social good and old fashioned fun. We’ve got lots of game-related events – something for everyone, from developers to gamers to kids – check them out!

Responsibilities

Regular holistic organization with the full NZGF team
Co-organizing The Pavs - New Zealand's Game Awards
Organizing Treat & Greet - a non-alcoholic networking event
Organizing Roll Initiative - an introduction to TTRPGs

Team Size | 20+
Role | Events Manager
Company | New Zealand Games Festival

Trigger Witch

A stylized 2D twin-stick action game set in an odd open world where magic is outdated and firearms are the new way of life. Players assume the role of Colette, a prospective graduate from the Stock, an academy for Witchcraft and Triggery. After a mysterious man invades her realm, events are set in motion that turn Colette’s life upside-down, casting her as the sole heroine with enough firepower to restore peace.

Responsibilities

Consulting in accessible design leading to an Excellence in Accessibility award for the title

Buttercat Tattoo

Buttercat is a bespoke tattoo studio located in the heart of Wellington City. Our studio atmosphere is bright, colourful, professional and friendly – everyone is welcome here!

Responsibilities

Casual design consulting
Event management, flash days
Event photography
Social media photography

Team Size | 6
Role | Photographer / Designer
Client | Buttercat Tattoos

Legs

A 2 to 4 player arena brawler designed to bring friendly competition back to couch multiplayer. In this physics-based fighter, learn how to walk again with joysticks for legs - equip powerful shoe abilities to fight and compete for victory.

Responsibilities

Designing and scoping the core concept to pitch
Developing and balancing the player controller
Designing shoe mechanics to support the core experience
Designing arena levels
Detailed documentation and development log
Lead a team of 5 through iteration & execution
Pitching to groups, supervisors, and interested parties
Conducting design reviews and user tests