Nathan Wu

Hi! My name is Nathan Wu, and I am currently a first-year student at Yale University. I hope to earn a double degree in both Computer Science and Economics. Although I have a little bit of experience with Java through AP Computer Science, most of my studies have been focused around economics and math, so I know little about how games are implemented. I think game design is a fascinating subject, and I hope to be able to learn a lot about games through this course!

What type of game am I trying to design?

There are so many different types of games that I am not familiar with. Most of my childhood gaming career involved a lot of Gameboy and a lot of Pokemon. Besides Pokemon, I also have played Super Smash Brothers and Mario Kart, both on the Wii. However, my all-time favorite game is League of Legends, the PC game, and outside of it, I don't really play any other game. I think Pokemon especially has an extremely interesting game design, and I really like the concept of a character having to collect things, but I am not sure if that's the kind of game I want to design. One idea that I do want to implement, however, is the idea of a character training or something to get stronger over the course of the game, and I think introducing a bit of technical prowess (such as being able to click very fast) that is required for the gamer would be interesting. Right now, I am thinking of designing a third person action game, but anything is subject to change!

Origin

I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but I moved to Atlanta, Georgia when I was younger and I've lived there ever since. I went to George Walton Comprehensive High School, which was a public high school located in an upper-middle class suburb.

Hobbies

I enjoy playing a wide variety of sports, including volleyball, badminton, and soccer. I also play both the piano and the cello, and I frequently enjoy playing quick chess games with others. Obviously, I have interest in games too, but I have really only played League of Legends, Hearthstone, and a few flash-based browser games. I think it's really awesome how there are so many different types of games, and I hope through this course, I can learn some of the skills to develop my own games!
At Yale, I am involved in the Elmseed Enterprise Fund, Davenport and BCO College Orchestras, and the Chinese American Student Association.
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Skills

As I mentioned earlier, most of studies are focused on economics and computer science classes. I am also proficient in Mandarin Chinese, and I like working with data to do market research and analysis.

Past and Current Coursework

Past Coursework:
      Math 120 Multivariable Calculus
      Econ 121 Intermediate Microeconomics
      CHNS 152 Intermediate Modern Chinese for Advanced Learners
      CGSC 110 Introduction to Cognitive Science
Current Coursework:
      Math 222 Linear Algebra with Applications
      Econ 116 Introductory Macroeconomics
      CHNS 153 Intermediate Modern Chinese for Advanced Learners
      CPSC 112 Introduction to Computer Science
      Art 007 Art of the Game