UT Shield

Spring 2025

3D GDAD Capstone Course

The 3D Capstone course in the GDAD Program at The University of Texas at Austin occurs each spring and challenges students to utilize all their new skills to create a final project. Undergraduates from the Departments of Arts and Entertainment Technologies, Computer Science, and Radio-Television Film were assigned to one of five teams, each of which developed their own unique 3D video game.

Below are the results of the capstone.

Prisoner of Light

Team 1: Neon Gladiators

A stylized first-person perspective from inside a sci-fi video game titled Prisoner of Light. The scene shows glowing, armored hands chained in a high-tech, neon-lit environment. The game's title is prominently displayed in bold, futuristic typography with a pink, blue, and gold gradient, emphasizing the visual tone of digital imprisonment and action.

In a neon-lit, Greco-Roman dystopia as an imprisoned gladiator, you must fight for survival in a deadly, high-tech shooting arena. Controlled by a malevolent announcer, you must battle mythic-inspired techno-bosses while unlocking abilities to grow stronger with each round, ultimately coming to defeat the announcer and earning your freedom from the brutal spectacle.

Genres: Shooting
Platforms: Windows, Mac, and gyroscopic controller support
Expected ESRB: T for Teen
Team Members:

  • Angela Cheng – Programmer
  • Benjamin Chen – Programmer
  • Hammad Naqui – Technical and 3D Artist
  • Henry Chen – Technical and 3D Artist
  • Jaden Porter – Narrative Designer
  • John Vu – Programmer
  • Luke Mason – Sound Designer

Play Game | Trailer  | Presentation

Stomach

Team 2

Pixel art scene featuring a dimly lit room with tiled walls and floor. A pile of what appears to be pixelated, stylized intestines or serpentine forms is sprawled on the ground in front of an open industrial refrigerator. Cardboard boxes are stacked nearby, one labeled “FRAGILE.” The eerie, muted palette and unsettling subject matter suggest a horror or thriller genre digital game or animation.

Recently hired, you are a line cook for a cruise ship gig where every day you simply make dishes as orders come through. However, each night the requests get stranger and stranger and the ship vent starts to sound like a shudder rather than just steam. However, no matter what you might see or what the shadows might be lurking… YOU. MUST. COOK.

Genres: Horror
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Steam Deck
Expected ESRB: T for Teen
Team Members:

  • Branden Heng – Tech Artist
  • Dillon Luong – Programmer & Narrative Design
  • Ethan Luong – Producer & Audio Designer
  • JD Bauer – Game & Level Designer
  • Jeremy Suh – Game Designer & Programmer
  • Jeronimo del Valle Ocejo – Programmer
  • Joaquin “JJ” Fernandez – 3D Modeler
  • Joaquin Niles – Tech Artist & UI Programmer

Play Game | Trailer | Presentation

Vegetables of Mass Destruction

Team 3

Top-down view of a stylized 2D combat game with cartoon-like visuals. A player character—possibly an animal wielding a weapon—battles a red enemy figure behind a wooden fence in a farm-like setting. Damage numbers appear above both characters. The environment includes hay bales, a barrel spilling black liquid, a crate, and grassy edges, suggesting a playful, chaotic agricultural theme.

Vegetables of Mass Destruction is an action hackn’slash game. You play as Turnip, a feisty raccoon tasked with saving the farm animals from evil robots by his master, Sensei Cow. Use the destructive power of vegetables and team up with your trusty chicken and pig pals to rescue farm animals and destroy the invaders!

Genres: Action, Hackn’slash
Platforms: Windows, Mac, IOS
Expected ESRB: E
Team Members:

  • Andy Chang – Programmer
  • Kaiden Zapanta – Programmer
  • Kuba Bard – Artist
  • Leonardo Hernandez – Level & Sound Designer
  • Lydia Fan – Artist
  • Max Huang- Programmer
  • Ronghua Wang – Programmer & Art Asset Support

Play Game | Trailer | Presentation

Zenith

Team 4

A 3D-rendered isometric view of a stylized game environment featuring a multi-level, angular platform with stairs and ledges. Several character units are positioned on top, each with health bars and distinct appearances, indicating a strategy or tactics-based gameplay. A circular HUD and character icons appear on the screen’s lower edge.

The Zenith compels you! Players will play as the Zenith, a deeply evil ancient force that has been hidden away in a dungeon for years. Players will control and command mind-controlled heroes while ensuring the Zenith’s influence stays intact.

Genres: Real-Time Strategy with Roguelike elements
Platforms: Mac, Windows, and Web
Expected ESRB: T for Teen
Team Members:

  • Bria Eutsey – Audio Designer
  • Xin (Catherine) Gao – Programmer
  • Mary Gavrilova – Level Designer
  • Emilio Gonzales – Programmer
  • Menying Jin – Programmer
  • Mason Mockler – Artist
  • Max Somarriba – Programmer
  • Sarina Varela – Artist

Play Game | Trailer | Presentation

Steamwell Inc.

Team 5: Cog In The Machine Studios

A stylized 3D game environment depicting a mechanical factory scene with robotic arms and colorful blob-like characters. The setting includes a massive overhead claw machine and symmetrical workstations with pipes and machinery on each side. Characters of varying colors (green, red, blue) appear to be emerging from or interacting with the machinery, suggesting a competitive or collaborative game environment. The lighting is warm and focused, highlighting a central platform and giving the scene a dramatic, game-show-like atmosphere.

On your way out of a long shift at the factory, you forget to double check the MOST IMPORTANT DIAL. Now, Steamwell Inc. is in chaos! In this puzzle adventure, navigate the malfunctioning factory, repair the machines, and avoid security as your next paycheck depends on it!

Genres: Puzzle adventure
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Expected ESRB: E10+
Team Members:

  • Atilla Istami – Programmer
  • Edward Ramon – 2D Artist, Narrative Design, Game Design
  • Joy Ekechukwu – Programmer, Game Design
  • Lila Mali – 2D Artist, Concept Artist, UI Design
  • Maxmillion Maldonado – Audio Design, Level Design, Scrum Master
  • Patrice Hayes – 3D Artist
  • Stephan Ozan – Programmer

Play Game | Trailer  | Presentation