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Game Art
A B O U T T H E J U R O R
Michael Molinari
Art Director at Chuhai Labs
Hailing from Austin, Texas, Michael is a seasoned game developer with over two decades of experience. He began his career as an artist at Bandai Namco before branching out into independent development, where he quickly made a name for himself by receiving awards for his experimental releases Soundodger, Choice Chamber and Overpass.
Beyond his solo projects, Michael is a passionate participant in the Game Jam community, contributing to dozens of short-form games known for their striking visuals and immersive, dreamlike atmospheres. He currently works as an Art Director at Chuhai Labs, where he continues to craft imaginative and visually rich content.
W I N N E R S
GOLD JUROR’S AWARD
Kerri Zhang
XELVITA — The Duskveil
The Duskveil draws heavily from Gothic architectural language, with visual direction inspired by Soulsborne titles such as Dark Souls III and Elden Ring. Art Direction focuses on delivering dramatic visual contrast and spatial tension, enhancing the player's emotional and immersive experience during the climax of the game.
SILVER JUROR’S AWARD
Jolyn (Qiaoyi) Hu
Eirika: Viking Bedroom
This Viking-style bedroom, inhabited by a married couple is one of the spaces found in Eirika.
BRONZE JUROR’S AWARD
Jonathan Hu
Luxenglobe
Luxenglobe is a retro-futuristic arena shooter where you are one of many competitors to enter the infamous Luxenglobe, with the odds stacked against you. Armed with nothing but a blaster, you must shoot your way through the gauntlet to claim fame and fortune.
MOST OUTSTANDING JUNIOR
Victoria McIntyre
Phantom Lens
This biome was based on the forests in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. All assets and elements of this project were done by me. Screenshots were taken and rendered in Unreal Engine 5.
MOST OUTSTANDING SOPHMORE
Francisca Pizarro
Contaminated Path
Stuck aboard an invaded spaceship, you're uncertain of what lies ahead…
BEST IN VISUAL DEVELOPMENT
Ava Demers
Freida - Character Concept
Final character render for my Junior Biome project, Mourning Dove. Includes the final digital render, character orthographics, a mock-up animation rig and a short backstory about the character, Freida.
BEST IN GAME DESIGN
Tianqi Liang
XELVITA
A first-person, fast-paced action game where you play as a hunted cyborg. Traverse enemy lines in an abandoned sci-fi facility and team up with an unknown intelligence to fight against the mechanical threat.