Founder and game developer at Wakeful Studios in Wellington, building narrative-driven projects with a strong focus on gameplay systems, production pipelines, and early-stage marketing. Developing an in-progress cosmic horror game, while also coordinating 3D film production and bringing people-focused, high-responsibility client service experience from hospitality work.…

Tristan Larsen

Founder and game developer at Wakeful Studios in Wellington, building narrative-driven projects with a strong focus on gameplay systems, production pipelines, and early-stage marketing. Developing an in-progress cosmic horror game, while also coordinating 3D film production and bringing people-focused, high-responsibility client service experience from hospitality work.…

Available to hire

Founder and game developer at Wakeful Studios in Wellington, building narrative-driven projects with a strong focus on gameplay systems, production pipelines, and early-stage marketing.

Developing an in-progress cosmic horror game, while also coordinating 3D film production and bringing people-focused, high-responsibility client service experience from hospitality work.

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Language

English
Fluent
Māori
Beginner
Japanese
Beginner

Work Experience

Founder / Game Developer at Wakeful Studios, Wellington
February 1, 2025 - Present
Founded and led an independent game and creative studio delivering animation and game development projects. Currently developing MINDS TRAIN: Echoes of the Void, a narrative-driven cosmic horror game. Responsible for gameplay systems design, creating and maintaining the production pipeline, coordinating the team, and supporting early-stage marketing strategy. Leads structured development across narrative, art, development, and testing through anomaly dossier systems and environmental storytelling frameworks.
Production Manager (3D Short Film) at Yoobee Colleges, Wellington
February 1, 2024 - November 1, 2024
Managed the full production pipeline for a collaborative 3D short film. Coordinated team roles, tracked deliverables, and ensured project milestones were met for public showcase and festival submissions.
Bartender at The Innkeeper, Wellington
April 1, 2023 - February 1, 2024
Provided customer service in a high-responsibility environment while maintaining safety and compliance. Built situational awareness, communication, and problem-solving skills under pressure.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Animation (Majoring in Interactive Media and Games) at Yoobee Colleges, Wellington
February 1, 2023 - February 1, 2025
Diploma in Animation (Level 5 & 6) at Yoobee Colleges, Wellington
February 1, 2021 - November 1, 2022

Qualifications

Blue's Award for Service
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2018
Volunteer Contribution (Kai Kitchen)
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017

Industry Experience

Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Education
    Mindstrain: Echoes of the Void (currently in development)

    A third person cosmic eldritch horror fantasy sci-fi game that focuses on the premise of memory while having to navigate the non-fictional & fictional world within the Calliope, an interstellar ship made for a suicide mission to the andromeda galaxy. The anomaly know as the void has eaten half the andromeda galaxy, and the government want to send death row inmates to see what happens to organic matter.