Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Join us for a talk on how MachineGames developed a first-person game focused on simulating hands-on experiences and adventure over action. This talk goes through the design process for developing the GRIP system (grab, reach out, interact, push), the hurdles of encouraging hand-to-hand combat over gun combat, and the never-ending pursuit of creating authentic Indiana Jones interactions.
Zeke Virant (MFA ’14) is the lead game designer at MachineGames and a graduate of NYU Game Center’s MFA program. With over 10 years of experience in game development, he has designed and contributed to indie games, as well as AA and AAA titles. Before games, Zeke wrote and directed experimental operas and cleaned people’s apartments.
Poster by Eva Sterrett. Find more of her work here: sterretteva.myportfolio.com
Join us for a talk on how MachineGames developed a first-person game focused on simulating hands-on experiences and adventure over action. This talk goes through the design process for developing the GRIP system (grab, reach out, interact, push), the hurdles of encouraging hand-to-hand combat over gun combat, and the never-ending pursuit of creating authentic Indiana Jones interactions.
Zeke Virant (MFA ’14) is the lead game designer at MachineGames and a graduate of NYU Game Center’s MFA program. With over 10 years of experience in game development, he has designed and contributed to indie games, as well as AA and AAA titles. Before games, Zeke wrote and directed experimental operas and cleaned people’s apartments.
Poster by Eva Sterrett. Find more of her work here: sterretteva.myportfolio.com
