College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean bruce d. mcclung has announced the appointment of Varun Saxena as a Post-MFA Fellow in Interactive Media.
Saxena is a narrative writer, game designer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. Originally from Mumbai, India, he draws inspiration from having grown up on the other side of the globe and explores themes of culture, diversity, and human intimacy in his work.
As a game designer, Saxena’s work has often explored human conversations and how they can be used as playful mechanics in interactive media. Recognizing early on the dichotomy between talkers and listeners, Saxena identifies as a listener who finds immense joy in actively listening to people and remembers the nuances of his conversations. This perspective deeply influences his creative work where emotional intricacies serve as a recurring theme.
One of his most notable personal projects is Waiting for Evening, a game that immerses players in the rich tapestry of an intergenerational family in colonial Bombay (present-day Mumbai). The narrative, inspired by real-life people, lends authenticity to the story, allowing players to navigate a room filled with objects that have witnessed significant past conversations. This exploration prompts players to engage in a unique storytelling experience, highlighting Mumbai’s cultural nuances and delving into themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.
Recently, Saxena worked for Killer Snails, a New York based educational technology company. There he was involved in the development and creation of educational science games that allow children to step into the roles of scientists, educating them about the interconnected nature of environmental issues and highlighting the importance of community-driven problem-solving.
Saxena holds a Master of Fine Arts in Game Design from New York University and a Bachelor of Science in Animation and Filmmaking from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. He previously taught game design at The City University of New York.
