People, Creativity and Community: MDS at NZGDC 2025
The New Zealand Game Developers Conference (NZGDC) took place from 25–27 September in Wellington, bringing together game development professionals, studios, students and educators from across New Zealand and around the world.
As a sponsor of this year’s conference, Media Design School at Strayer (MDS) had strong brand visibility, a dedicated booth space, and the opportunity for students and staff to engage with industry.
But our presence went far beyond sponsorship.
Over 60 current students and alumni were in Wellington, joining our faculty to present talks, exhibit games, connect with studios and immerse themselves in New Zealand’s largest annual game development gathering. Their involvement showcased the deep industry integration and creative excellence at the heart of MDS’s Game Development programmes.
A Theme Centred on People
This year’s theme, “The People at the Heart of Games”, drew inspiration from the Māori proverb:
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people."
The programme celebrated the power of community, storytelling, creativity and cultural guardianship across the game development sector, with inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions featuring voices from all corners of the industry.
MDS at the Conference
Speaker Sessions
Faculty and alumni presenting at NZGDC 2025:
- Speed Concepting in 3D using Blender – Andy Burusphat, Sometimes Limited (Alumnus)
- Let’s Talk About Critical Analysis – Nathania Sum, Lecturer (Faculty)
- So You Want to Start a Game Studio? Here’s What No One Tells You – Zsombor Pirok, Managing Director, Space Rock Games (Alumnus)
- Leveraging the Gameplay Ability System in Unreal Engine – Alex Coultas, Senior Software Engineer, The Boundary (Alumnus)
- Game Design is Business Design – Learnings from “Warrior Chef” – Francis Jones, Game Designer, Rare Parrot Games (Alumnus)
Faculty Games Exhibited
- Pinball Hero – Rourke Gray Mason & Jeremy Teal
- Orbifold – Chris Cullen
Alumni Games Exhibited
Student Games Exhibited
Incredible work from current students was also on display, including titles such as:
Pneuma, Treasure Hunter: High Seas, Eco Submarine, Dwarf Ore Station, Infernal Cleaner
Industry Connection: Dinosaur Polo Club Tour
As part of the Wellington experience, over 60 MDS students attended an exclusive studio tour at Dinosaur Polo Club, gaining valuable insight from industry-leading developers and making meaningful professional connections.
Looking Ahead
With NZGDC 2026 set to take place in Auckland, MDS is poised for an even greater presence – offering more opportunities to connect, collaborate and showcase talent. This continued industry integration is what enables our future creators to push boundaries and turn bold ideas into real-world experiences.
