Mike Yi Ren is an Asian-American Game Designer and Video Producer based in Montreal, Canada. With over a decade of experience, he has worked in Shanghai and New York City, contributing to companies such as Behaviour Interactive, Ubisoft, Netease, RADII, and Lonelyleap Films.

Currently, Mike is a Senior R&D Game Designer at Behaviour Interactive, where he focuses on shaping the future of Dead by Daylight. His independent games have been featured by major outlets including Rock Paper Shotgun, Kotaku, and Vice.

SELECT EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS

  • Firehawk – Unreal Fest – Seattle, USA (2024)
  • Lucky Yu – Slamdance x AGBO Showcase – Los Angeles, USA (2024)
  • Crossing Lines – Narrative Achievement Award at Just Play SXSW – Austin, USA (2024)
  • Lucky Yu – Slamdance Film Festival DIG Official Selection – Park City Utah, USA (2024)
  • Lucky Yu – Playcrafting PlayNYC Graffiti Games – NYC, USA (2022)
  • Yellowface: An Asian American Story – Game Devs of Color Expo – NYC, USA (2020)
  • Memento Memories – Stories in the Flow at Shanghai Biennale x STA – Shanghai, China (2020)
  • SPORTZ Party Pack – WEPLAY Independent Games Festival – Shanghai, China (2019)
  • Hazy Days – Brew X Blend Festival, M50 – Shanghai, China (2016)
  • Hazy Days – Northern Spark Game Bar, Mill City Museum – Minneapolis, USA (2016)
  • Hazy Days – Killscreen.com Official Selection (2016)
  • Hot Mess – Night Games Official Selection – Indiecade East – NYC, USA (2015)
  • Hot Mess – Best Use of Technology – Come Out & Play Festival – NYC, USA (2014)
  • Clockwork – 1st Place – Grasshopper Game Jam – NYC, USA (2013)
  • Tinker Tanks – 1st Place NYU Polytech Alternative Control Jam – NYC, USA (2012)

SELECT INTERVIEWS

EDUCATION

  • Masters of Arts, Shanghai Theater Academy, Shanghai, China (2019 – 2021)
    •  Masters in Intercultural Communications Studies
    • Thesis: Applications of Game Design in Immersive Theater
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, New York University, New York, USA (2008 – 2012)
    •  Major: Film and Animation Production – Tisch School of the Arts
    • Minor: Game Design – NYU Game Center
    • Minor: Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology – NYU Stern School of Business

FELLOWSHIPS & MENTORSHIPS