Meet Yibei He

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yibei He and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yibei, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Happiness for me stems from two intertwined dimensions: immersive personal experiences and creative contributions to others’ experiences.

As both a game designer and a passionate player, I find joy in deeply engaging with experiences—both as a creator and as an explorer. When I play games, I am captivated by the opportunity to connect with my own feelings and reflections. Games allow me to explore my inner world, uncover nuances in my emotions, and feel vividly alive. This immersion in personal experiences is profoundly fulfilling; it reminds me of what it means to be human.

But this exploration doesn’t stop with me. The experiences I uncover as a player become the foundation of my work as a creator. Designing games is my way of channeling those personal insights into interactive journeys that others can experience. I believe the most meaningful creations are born from authentic experiences, and the joy of crafting these connections—taking what I’ve felt and turning it into something that players can engage with—is incomparable. It’s as if the games I design are extensions of my own explorations, made tangible and sharable. I relish the process of transforming ideas, emotions, and mechanics into interactive journeys that resonate with players. It feels like I’m not just making games but building connections—bridges between my world and the players’, offering them moments to reflect, feel, and grow.

What makes this process truly fulfilling is not about reaching a specific goal or state of perfection, but about the continuous cycle of exploration and creation. As Alfred North Whitehead’s process philosophy suggests, the essence of life—and happiness—lies in the dynamic flow of becoming, rather than in fixed outcomes. For me, happiness is found in this constant interplay: discovering new depths within myself through play and transforming those discoveries into creations that resonate with others. It is a journey that feels alive, meaningful, and profoundly connected.

In this sense, my happiness is not a separate act of playing or designing but a continuous, inseparable cycle of exploration and creation. It’s through this dynamic that I feel alive, purposeful, and deeply connected to myself and the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always been passionate about exploring the possibilities of games and interactive media. My work centers on crafting experiences that challenge conventions, evoke emotions, and inspire players to reflect on themselves and the world around them.

One of my proudest creations is Gazed House, a 3D eye-controlled horror game that utilizes Tobii Eye Tracker 5 alongside keyboard and mouse inputs. Players interact with the game by using their gaze to find and collect items, shoot, explore, and navigate a world filled with terrifying creatures and dangerous objects. What sets this game apart is its innovative use of eye-tracking mechanics—turning the player’s eyes into a core gameplay system, a narrative device, and even a weapon. It transforms a simple human action into a deeply immersive, unsettling, and rewarding experience.

Another project I’m proud of is Roll, Rumble & Robbery, a narrative brawl board game that combines the physical collision of D20 dice—used as marbles—with the storytelling structure of a murder mystery game. Instead of requiring players to read lengthy rulebooks, the game’s narrative-driven design introduces mechanics step by step, seamlessly teaching players through the story itself. This approach not only enhances accessibility but also brings new levels of engagement and interaction to traditional board gaming.

Currently, I am developing Drift in Unreal Engine 5, a game that pushes players to reflect on the pace of their lives. While action games often celebrate speed and intensity, Drift asks: What if life, like an adventure, allowed us to slow down? Can slowing down be just as meaningful as speeding up? Through its mechanics and storytelling, the game explores the delicate balance between striving for progress and appreciating stillness, challenging the player to rethink the notions of effort, enjoyment, and purpose.

Creating games is a journey that can take 10 years or just two days. It might require a team of thousands or a single individual, but the challenge remains the same: ensuring that players receive the experience you intended for them. Interactive media demands relentless iteration, detailed playtesting, and a commitment to balancing the big picture with the smallest details. This process requires not only technical skill and artistic vision but also the mindset of a player—an unwavering love for games and an ability to view your work from the perspectives of a player, creator, and artist simultaneously.

What I’ve learned along the way is that my work is not just about crafting games—it’s about creating experiences that resonate, connect, and inspire. Games are more than entertainment; they are a bridge between ideas and emotions, a canvas for reflection, and a celebration of the human experience.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Los Angeles for a week, the one place I would insist on taking them to is Disneyland in California.

As Scott Rogers said in his GDC talk: “Everything I learned about level design I learned from Disneyland.” Disneyland is more than just an amusement park; it’s a masterclass in experience design. It seamlessly integrates architecture, psychology, and storytelling into a living, breathing world of immersive wonder. It’s the pioneer of applying Hollywood’s three-act narrative structure, emotional arcs, and moral storytelling into spatial and interactive design. From the macro level of world and zone design to the micro level of attractions and individual experiences, Disneyland operates like a meticulously crafted timepiece, where every cog and gear works in harmony to create a flawless experience.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Disneyland is how it considers every detail from the audience’s perspective. Every path you take, every vista you encounter, has been carefully orchestrated to guide your focus and emotions. It gives you the illusion of freedom while ensuring that you’re always on the right track. Even if you lack a sense of direction, you’ll never truly feel lost. Each area within Disneyland is more than just a destination—it’s an activity, a narrative, and an adventure. It’s a place where even the most mundane details, like the placement of trash bins, are deliberately designed to enhance your immersion.

For adults, Disneyland is more than just a kids’ paradise; it’s a place to reconnect with the child within. Put on a favorite character hat, let yourself be guided by Disney’s unparalleled storytelling, and experience the joy of simply being. Leave behind the overthinking and embrace the magic of the fantastical worlds Disney has so meticulously created. The charm of Disneyland lies in its ability to remind us how it feels to wonder, dream, and play.

As the very first Disneyland park, it holds a special place in history and culture. Its design principles have not only influenced the theme park industry but have also provided foundational lessons for fields like game design, user experience, and even urban planning. A visit to Disneyland isn’t just entertainment—it’s an exploration of one of the most refined and impactful examples of experience design in the world.

If you’re visiting Los Angeles, this is the one place you simply cannot miss.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to several incredible individuals who have shaped my journey as a creator.

First, I want to thank Shuqi Peng, my long-time collaborator. Her abilities complement mine perfectly, and her aesthetic vision aligns so closely with my own. She constantly inspires me, supports me, and believes in me, which has been invaluable in both my personal and professional growth.

I also owe a great deal to Yiming Tang from Amazing Seasun Game. He has generously shared his deep knowledge of the gaming industry with me, offering insights into its challenges and hopes. His dedication to the field and our shared efforts make me feel less alone in this journey. Knowing there are people like him working toward the same goals fills me with courage and determination.

I am deeply inspired by two giants in interactive media: Mark Bolas and Tracy Fullerton from USC Games. Their profound understanding of games and interactive media has expanded my perspective on how to create meaningful emotional experiences. They’ve taught me to focus on what truly matters in emotional expression and interactive storytelling.

Of course, I must mention Hideo Kojima, whose works have completely redefined my understanding of what games can be. His vision demonstrates that games are far more than entertainment—they are powerful tools for connecting players, evoking deep emotions, and exploring profound themes through interactive narratives. His philosophy continues to push me to think beyond traditional boundaries in my own work.

Finally, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my family for their endless love and support. They’ve taught me to move forward with responsibility, to help others, and to do so with joy. Their belief in me has been my foundation, enabling me to pursue my passions and overcome challenges with resilience.

All of these people and their contributions have profoundly shaped my journey. Their mentorship, collaboration, and encouragement are woven into everything I do as a designer and creator.

Website: yibei-interactive.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/yibei_ebay/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/yibei-he-6b31a029a/

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@EbayYibei

Other: Itch: https://ebayyibei.itch.io/