Meet Seleny Xie | Video Game Producer, Filmmaker & XR Designer

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

Hi Seleny, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I’m currently developing Meli, an XR rhythm game that reimagines how we experience and interact with music. Using the Meta Quest 3’s latest pass-through and hand-tracking technology, Meli invites players on a deeply immersive, personal journey through timeless orchestral masterpieces. As players wield a virtual baton, they don’t just hear the music—they transform their surroundings with vibrant visuals, light, and color, turning any space into a magical stage where music feels immediate, alive, and intimate.

While hardware continues to push the limits of virtual and mixed reality, our goal with Meli is to explore how mixed reality and spatial computing can deepen human connection. Music has always been a universal language that shapes our emotional landscapes, and with Meli, we aim to amplify this effect by making each experience fully immersive and interactive. In a time when the concept of the Metaverse has sparked curiosity about how technology impacts our lives, we’re exploring how this technology can make music a shared, transformative experience.

Meli is designed to enhance mindfulness and emotional expression, encouraging players to be present and engaged. By connecting with music in this new way, we hope players will discover a more visceral, collective experience—one that brings people together, inspires empathy, and changes the way we react to and interact with music.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My path has been driven by a love of storytelling and worldbuilding and a fascination with emerging technologies. My creative journey began when I studied Film & TV Production at NYU, where I was captivated by the power of interactive tech to expand storytelling. I realized that through this medium, we can build epic, otherworldly universes where audiences don’t just receive emotions and information from a flat screen—they actively engage with the world, shaping their own paths and altering their existence within these vast, immersive spaces.

This curiosity led me to the XR and video game industry, where I saw an opportunity to take storytelling to new dimensions. Though the fast-evolving nature of this industry brings its own set of challenges, I’ve found that the interplay between artistic direction, production, and technology can create something truly transformative. Working in an interdisciplinary space with developers, filmmakers, digital artists, and designers has inspired me, as it allows us to push beyond the limitations of traditional media.

While I’m fascinated by the potential of technology, my goal is to create work that reflects not only the advances we’re making but also the personal and societal impact of these technologies. I want people to think and feel deeply through the experiences I craft, building connections through different mediums that go beyond the surface. Over the past few years, working on award-winning games, XR projects, and with prestigious studios like Sony, I’ve continually explored how emerging tech can amplify art and storytelling—and how it could reshape the way we connect with ourselves and with the world.

Of course, the industry’s pace brings its own demands. Navigating rapid advancements, like the rise of AI, requires us to stay adaptable while staying true to our creative vision. In this era, balancing innovation with authenticity has become essential, and that’s the path I’m dedicated to following.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d start my day at République, enjoying a pastry and coffee in this amazing French bakery housed in a historic building that was originally erected in 1929 by Charlie Chaplin. Since I’m already in the area, I’d swing by LACMA for some modern art, then check out the Academy Museum next door for some film history.

From there, I’d have two options:

Option 1 (Westside): I’d head to The Getty Museum for its incredible views and art, then drive out to Malibu. A sunset stroll along the beach sounds perfect, and I’d finish the day with drinks at a bar overlooking the ocean.

Option 2 (Eastside): I’d wander around Silver Lake, browsing vintage shops and grabbing coffee at a cute local spot. Or I might go further to Pasadena to check out the old town and spend some time exploring Huntington Gardens.

Both options offer a great mix of art, culture, and chill vibes and I think that could represent different sides of LA perfectly.

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?
There are so many people I want to recognize. Since transitioning into game development, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with countless individuals who’ve helped me keep up with industry trends and pushed me to do my best work. I especially want to shout out to everyone I’ve collaborated with—whether on film projects, VR experiences, or in corporate settings. Your support and respect have been invaluable, and I couldn’t have accomplished what I have today without you all cheering me on behind the scenes.

Website: https://www.selenyxie.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theselenyxiiiiie/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenyxie/