Game on: UTAR alumni return to mentor, inspire, and innovate

In a landmark gathering that celebrated both heritage and forward momentum, the Department of Game Studies under the Faculty of Creative Industries hosted its first-ever alumni roundtable and sharing session on 19 December 2025. Held at the Sungai Long Campus, the event marked a significant milestone in UTAR’s journey to bridge academia with the dynamic demands of the global games industry.

The roundtable brought together accomplished alumni from Game Design and Game Development programmes, many of whom now hold significant roles in renowned international studios. Their return to campus was not only a symbolic homecoming but a powerful catalyst for academic rejuvenation and student mentorship.

At the heart of the event lay a dynamic panel discussion that fostered a rich dialogue between returning graduates and current academic staff. These conversations yielded valuable insights into evolving industry trends, from the rapid pace of technological advancement to shifting benchmarks in game design, user experience, and production workflows. Faculty members received firsthand perspectives on curriculum alignment with industry needs, especially from alumni now leading technical and creative teams in studios such as Streamline Studios, Ammobox Studios, and PlayStation Studios Malaysia.

The two-day engagement also featured an immersive Final Year Project (FYP) Showcase and Playtest session, where selected student teams presented their works-in-progress to alumni panellists. This unique format allowed for rigorous critique in areas such as coding efficiency, asset pipeline management, user interface design, and overall market readiness. For students, the playtest became an eye-opening experience, as they encountered professional-level scrutiny and received detailed feedback aimed at elevating their work to international standards.

Equally impactful was the emotional resonance of the event. Juniors mingled with their seniors not just as future professionals, but as members of a growing UTAR community. Alumni shared personal stories, offered career advice, and reflected on the shared academic journey that began within UTAR’s lecture halls and now spans studios across the globe. One committee member remarked, “Seeing our alumni return as both professionals and mentors affirms the strength of our Game Studies family.”

The roundtable featured six distinguished alumni, namely Mr Arif Amirul (Senior Art Pipeline QA, Streamline Studios), Mr Hovvard Lim Houng Vern (Senior Game Developer, Orca Cognitive Solutions), Ivan Tan (Key Technical Engineer, Lemon Sky Studio), Mr Kythus Chan (Senior Game Designer, Ammobox Studios), Mr Stelson Lee (Senior Programmer, Double 11), and Mr Trident Xuan Tew (Test Engineer, PlayStation Studios Malaysia). Their presence underscored UTAR’s role as a nurturing ground for talent that continues to make its mark on the international stage.

As the department reflects on this inaugural roundtable, the event stands as a testament to the strength of alumni engagement and the transformative impact of shared learning. It not only reaffirmed UTAR’s commitment to academic excellence but also strengthened its position as a university deeply connected to real-world innovation and collaboration.