Zaida Hutchings
Hello, I’m Zaida! I am a senior at the University of Georgia! I’m excited to work with you on your next project.
About Me
I am a double major in Japanese and Entertainment and Media Studies. I am set to graduate in the Fall of 2026! I have an avid interest in writing, video game design, and languages. I have studied abroad in Nagasaki, Japan for six months. I have also researched Japanese media as an undergraduate CURO researcher.
My main goal is to work as a video game designer! I love being able to bring the best out of my team mates. Coming up with fun new mechanics and dynamic storylines is an added bonus! I’d also like to continue traveling and meeting new people!
Portfolio
Short Films & Writings
Short films, published poetry, and writing samples
View Portfolio
Video Games!
These are my finished video game projects. They are all playable at itch.io
View Portfolio
Video Game Art
A collection of 2d sprites, 3D Models, and concept art
View Portfolio
Short Films & Writings
These are team projects or pieces entirely by Zaida Hutchings. Each section will clarify which roles she had on the project.
POWER OUTAGE
A music video for the song Tile by Tile by Alvvas. This was written and directed by Zaida Hutchings for her production basic's class at UGA. She also secured the filming locations.
Watch here
Until Death Comes
A silent film following a young woman's acceptance of her death. This was written and directed by Zaida Hutchings for her production basic's class at UGA.
Watch here
A Summer’s Daydream
A silent, black and white romance short film. Zaida wrote, composed, and produced the film. She also helped with location scouting and wardrobe. This was created for the UGA Production Club for the Spring of 2025.
Watch here
Published Poems
Three poems were submitted and published in Rewrite The Stars Magazine. It was published in Issue VII: Arcane Arcades under the name z. hutchings. It features: STAY ALIVE -- SURVIVE, The beauty of a game, and Winner Takes All. These are solely created by Zaida.
Read here
Released Video Games
This section are all completed projects or upcoming projects Zaida has worked on. They have all been uploaded to itch.io. This was last updated January 2026.
Leave A Message
If the world was ending, what would your last words be? Who would you say it to?
Leave a Message is a 3d narrative game where you play as the world's last messenger. This was created for the UGA Game Builder's Club for the Fall of 2024 as a semester-long project. I was the team lead for the project. I pitched the game, managed ten people, designed and wrote the storyline, and made a theme song.
Play on Itch.io
Watch Trailer Here
Listen Here
Mirror Mirror: Erebus's Layer
Trapped inside a nightmarish land, play solo or with up to four friends to stealthly escape the Ink Monster before it consumes you. Mirror Mirror is a year-long on going project led by Zaida Hutchings. She pitched the game, and is managing her team (currently with nine members), doing the 3d Art and animation for the player characters, and fully designing the game. It is planned to be released at the end of summer of 2026. This is an independent project, but it was made alongside the Game Builder's CLub at UGA.
T-minus 5 Minutes
Arriving on a space station 5 minutes before it collapse, Stella Starbreak must find a way to survive. Explore a station of 10 rooms with 6 distinct ending. Will you escape the station, save your new friends or fall to your doom.
This was created for the UGA Game Builder's Club for the Spring of 2025 as a semester-long project. I was primarily an artist for the game, and I programed one of the mini-games. I did the NPC sprites and animations. I also helped with environmental art.
Play on Itch.io
Making A List: And Checking it Twice
In Making a List: Checking it Twice, it has been a bad day at work for Santa. Nutcrackers and Gingerbread men are rioting and have taken the elves hostage! Time to get down and dirty, and let them know who's been naughty and who's been nice.
This was a 48-hour game jam with several universities across Georgia. Making A List ranked 2nd best overall. I worked with three other students. I helped with music, enemy design and animation, and environmental and UI art.
Play on Itch.io
Video Game Concept Art and Animations
These are a mixture of in-game sprites, 3D models, animations, and concept art. They were created solely by Zaida Hutchings.
