Julianna Valle

Program
Bridging Disciplines Programs
Major
Studio Art
Minor
Japanese Certificate
Graduation Year
Spring 2024
Certificate
Digital Arts & Media
Experience

Digital Arts & Media BDP Student Julianna Valle explored the intersection between traditional art and the digital world through creating horror rhythm game Zombeats. 



"I am able to show off to the world that not only can I transfer my traditional art skills into the digital world, but I am also able to understand and use other disciplines in the gaming world.” 


How would you describe this creative project and how did you come up with the idea? 

Zombeats is a satisfying horror rhythm game with electrifying, rhythmic shooting, spine-chilling violence, and highly customizable gameplay. I remember when we first came together as a group, a majority of us had an interest in rhythm games, while a few of us liked horror. The majority of rhythm games lean more cute or hip-hop-like, so we decided to combine our interests to make our game unique: a zombie shooter rhythm game. Along with that, one of our programmers was really interested in making alternative controllers for the game: DJ and MIDI controllers. 

What was the most rewarding aspect of your Connecting Experience? 

As a scrum master and digital artist, this project helped me learn how to manage cross-disciplinary teamwork. After our Connecting Experience, we showed off Zombeats at Games Ya'll and at the Games Developer Convention, connecting with industry professionals both from Texas and from the nation. 

In what ways has this Connecting Experience shaped your plans for the future? 

Through this Connecting Experience, I gained the confidence to go out into the real world into the gaming industry. I am able to show off to the world that not only can I transfer my traditional art skills into the digital world, but I am also able to understand and use other disciplines in the gaming world. Zombeats also has a future; we have post-development plans after this summer. 

Please discuss the relationship that you had with your faculty mentor(s), and how they helped you during this Connecting Experience. 

Professor Toprac was really supportive during this Connecting Experience. He really liked our idea to the point that we were able to attend the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and show off our game.