MIKE REN 任意

Mike Yi Ren is an Asian-American Game Designer and Video Producer based in Montreal, Canada. Prior to Montreal, he has over a decade of experience working in Shanghai and New York City. Throughout his career, he has worked for companies including Behaviour Interactive, Ubisoft, Netease, RADII, and Lonelyleap Films.

Currently Mike works as a Senior Game Designer at Behaviour Interactive, focusing on the future of Dead by Daylight. His independent games have garnered media attention from outlets including Rock Paper Shotgun, Kotaku, and Vice.

SELECT EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS

• Firehawk – Unreal Fest – Seattle, USA (2024)
• Lucky Yu – Slamdance x AGBO Showcase – LA, USA (2024)
• Crossing Lines – Narrative Achievement Award at Just Play Jam SXSW – Austin, USA (2024)
• Lucky Yu – Slamdance Film Festival DIG Official Selection – Park City Utah, USA (2024)
• Lucky Yu – Playcrafting Graffiti Games Commissioned Project – 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

• “Why It’s So Hard to Make Games in China” – Kotaku.com
• “Making Indie Games Under the Coronavirus Quarantine” – Rock Paper Shotgun
• “Interview: Mike Ren Yi” – First Person Scholar
• 好笑到变形的游戏毒药 –  摩登地标
• 一个美国人，怎么就跑到中国做起了沙雕街机游戏？–  游戏研究社
• Touch These Buttons: Mike Ren Talks Shanghai Video Game Party Scene – Smartshanghai
• Clockwork Grasshopper Round Table Interview – GameDevAcademy
• 应对雾霾的正确姿势 – Beacon Guide

EDUCATION

• Masters of Arts, Shanghai Theater Academy, Shanghai, China (2019 – 2021)
  •  Masters in Intercultural Communications Studies
• 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