MDS Alumni make a splash in Japan
When you picture a student project, you might think of something small, experimental, or unfinished. But for many MDS graduates, their final-year projects become something much bigger — in this case: an internationally showcased game that took them all the way to Kyoto, Japan.
Developed by the graduate team KittyWampus, Bashful Adoration began life inside MDS’s Game Development programme as a final-year capstone. What started as a creative idea — four witches vying for the same crush through broomstick-fuelled battles — quickly grew into a polished and playable experience.
Rather than leaving their work on the classroom shelf, KittyWampus have kept pushing. Since graduating, they have refined gameplay, added visual polish, and prepared their project for something more, having showcased in events such as the Indie Game Showcase, Auckland Armageddon and even our own Open Days. That dedication paid off when the team secured a showcase spot at BitSummit, Japan’s largest indie game festival.
What is Bashful Adoration?
At its heart, Bashful Adoration is a chaotic multiplayer brawler. Up to four players control rival witches, using magical brooms and fast-paced movement to knock opponents away, with the aim to get their crush to follow them home and ignore the other witches. It’s colourful, quirky, and fun, and a game that's as entertaining to watch as it is to play.
But more than that, it’s proof of what MDS students can achieve.
The Significance of BitSummit
Founded in 2012, BitSummit has become a major international platform for indie developers, attracting thousands of players, industry leaders, and press from around the world. For KittyWampus, being invited meant not only sharing their game with Japanese audiences but also gaining invaluable exposure and feedback on the global stage.
Skyler Zeng, one of the developers, reflected on the opportunity:
“The team was able to have the game tested by the Japanese/Asia audience and meet with people overseas in industry. It was an amazing experience which opened many doors and was an important milestone as the team continues development on the project.”
Showcasing at BitSummit is no small feat. It represents a leap from student project to professional-level recognition — a milestone that demonstrates the calibre of MDS graduates and the opportunities available to them.
A Proud Moment
For MDS, Bashful Adoration is another outstanding example of the creativity, skill, and ambition that defines our graduates. From brainstorming sessions in Auckland to an international festival in Kyoto, the KittyWampus team have shown what’s possible when talent meets dedication.
Their journey highlights what makes MDS unique: students aren’t just learning theory; they’re producing real projects that can stand on the world stage.
The KittyWampus team includes: Skyler Zeng, Eloise Butler, Yolanda Tong, Ruolin Wen, Lynda Looc, Charlie Davies, and Mahalon Devoe.
What Next?
Bashful Adoration is preparing for release on Steam, and players can already show support by adding it to their wishlist. For KittyWampus, the journey is just beginning. For MDS, it’s another proud moment in a long line of alumni achievements.
From classroom concept to BitSummit showcase — this is what happens when creativity takes flight.
