With a passion for game design, Singapore Institute of Technology Scholar Pan Yu Xuan, Rene is poised to blaze the trail in the exciting world of game development. Armed with skills and creativity, she is on a mission to develop captivating games that will bring joy to others!

HyperBeard and Mighty Bear Games – these are some of the biggest names in the gaming industry that undergraduate Pan Yu Xuan, Rene dreams of joining after she graduates from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). For aspiring game designer Rene, game development isn’t just child’s play but a serious and exciting career path that she is determined to pursue after completing her Bachelor of Arts in User Experience and Game Design. This degree is offered by SIT through its overseas university partner, DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore [DigiPen (Singapore)].

The User Experience and Game Design programme offers students like Rene a wealth of opportunities to explore a range of career paths in the digital media industry and beyond. From game designers to quality assurance testers, graduates can pursue a diverse range of roles in studios, tech companies and media organisations.

Rene’s passion for gaming began with a curiosity about how games were created. She was interested to know how they could bring so much joy to people. As her passion grew, she wanted to make games like those she enjoyed, which could put a smile on the faces of others. It also helps that her parents are supportive of her interest in this field, which has fuelled her passion even further.

“I used to think of creating games as something that is like rocket science, an area I will never reach,” she admitted sheepishly. But not anymore. Rene has graduated with a Diploma in Immersive Media and Game Design (now renamed ‘Immersive Media’) from Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and is now in her first year at DigiPen (Singapore). Within a short span of time, Rene has successfully created a 2D adventure game with her teammates using Unity – a game engine. This is a significant achievement as it was her first time working together with a team to develop a game experience.

A Gateway to Learning Game Design

What drew Rene to SIT was the practical approach to learning and the opportunity to work on her own game and design projects. Upon graduating from NP, it seemed like a natural choice to select the User Experience and Game Design programme, where she could continue honing her knowledge and skills in interactive design and game development.

One thing that Rene appreciates about SIT is the hands-on learning experiences. She believes that learning does not have to be limited to pen and paper but can also be achieved through designing card games and roleplaying skits. As a university of applied learning, SIT offers “a learning space that is closest to having a view of what it is like working in an industry”.

“Before applying for this degree programme, I did consider going for design courses at other universities. However, I was interested in SIT’s partnership with DigiPen, one of the renowned game design schools in North America,” Rene shared. “Furthermore, I was excited to study at DigiPen (Singapore) to push my creativity further and create projects that can be included in my portfolio to achieve my dream of becoming a game designer or user experience designer in the future!”

Rene is also excited about SIT’s Overseas Immersion Programme (OIP), which will allow her to study for a trimester at DigiPen’s campus in Redmond, Washington.

“It is a valuable opportunity for me to study overseas, be exposed to different cultures and interact with overseas peers. Furthermore, I will get to work in teams to create more game projects there!” she shared excitedly.

Certainly, SIT is a place where students gain exposure to unique learning methods, hands-on experiences, and collaboration with industry partners. It is also here that students get to interact and make friends with like-minded individuals.

“I am grateful for the friends that I have made along the way as it is wonderful to know that there are people I can count on in my university life. It is also a unique experience to learn from people of different backgrounds. SIT is truly a place where people are willing to share knowledge and experiences unreservedly,” she reflected.

Rene believes that learning does not have to be limited to pen and paper but can also be achieved through designing card games and roleplaying skits.

A Journey of Determination and Inspiration

Grateful for her parents’ support of her interest in this niche field, Rene wanted to alleviate their financial burden for her education. That was when she chanced upon the SIT Scholarship and went all out for it.

Coupled with her determination to fulfil her ambition, Rene took up an internship with Razer to build up her portfolio in user interface and experience designing to boost her chances of securing the scholarship. Indeed, her hard work paid off and she is now a proud recipient of the SIT Scholarship.

Aside from the monetary benefits, the SIT Scholarship has also allowed Rene to build and strengthen connections with people.

“Being in a new environment, I get to meet people from all walks of life through the tea sessions, camps and events organised by the SIT Admissions and Financial Aid Division for us scholars,” she shared, “As an introvert, these activities initially made me nervous. However, after attending a camp with fellow scholars, I felt welcomed and gained many new friends. This pushed me to be more confident in my communication skills and be more ready to step forward and assist others!”

Being on the SIT Scholarship has not only supported her financially but also inspired her to give back to the SIT community by sharing her experiences and encouraging others to explore the opportunities available at SIT. As she continues to reflect on her journey at SIT, Rene finds her experience to be deeply meaningful as it has allowed her to hone her interests and passions.

“I am grateful for the many opportunities that SIT has provided me to explore and pursue my passion for creating video games and card games with my classmates. These challenging yet exciting experiences have given me a deeper understanding of the game development industry, as well as equipped me with skills I can use to showcase my experiences to others in the future,” she shared.

Rene’s enthusiasm for her studies and her eagerness to share and apply what she has learnt with others, makes her future as a promising game designer shine brightly!

This article was adapted from the BrightSparks July 2023 publication with the permission of CareerBuilder Singapore.