Aiwen (Emily) Zhang
Systems Designer
Experiences
Gearbox Entertainment - Associate Systems Designer
June 2024 - Present
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Developed Title:
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Borderlands 4 Story Pack 1 - Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned
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Borderlands 4 Bounty Packs and Vault Cards:
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Mercenary Day (Free additional content)
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Legend of the Stone Demon
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A Zane to Kill For
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Murders and Acquisitions
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Upcoming Borderlands 4 Story Pack 2 - FL4K and the Last Resort
Tencent Games - Level Designer
June 2020 - July 2022
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Designed stealth- and combat-compatible levels for Assassin’s Creed Jade with an emphasis on fluid gameplay and historical immersion.
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Worked with the narrative, cinematics, and NPC teams to ensure levels supported story delivery and cinematic execution.
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Helped blend Classical Greek and Roman cultural elements with ancient Chinese history to innovate within the Assassin’s Creed IP.
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Created layouts that reflected authentic Chinese architecture and regional diversity while staying true to the franchise’s legacy.
Education
SMU Guildhall, Master of Interactive Technology
August 2022 - May 2024
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Graduated with Specialization in Game Design
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Honors Student Nomination at a globally top-ranked game design graduate program
University of Washington (Seattle), Bachelor of Arts
September 2016 - June 2020
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GPA 3.7 out of 4.0
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Graduated with a Major in Classics and a Minor in Informatics
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Dean’s List Honoree
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Leadership in Action Award Recipient (Phi Sigma Pi)