Derrius Sims — Game Designer
Designing games that bring people together.
I believe the most memorable games aren't defined by mechanics alone, they're defined by the experiences players create together. My work explores how intuitive interaction, shared spaces, and thoughtful design can reduce the distance between players and the worlds they inhabit.
William and I are playing Pocket Smash at Capital Factory Unity Co-working
My path into game development didn't begin with programming, it began with curiosity.
While playing Marvel vs. Capcom 3, I noticed performing combos felt similar to making swiping gestures and I started wondering why touchscreen games imitated physical controllers instead of embracing the strengths of touch itself.
Marvel Vs Capcom 3, I'm a huge Capcom and fighting game fan
That question became Pocket Smash, a research project that eventually led me to teach myself Unity, showcase my work internationally, return to college, and pursue game design professionally.
Since then, I've explored game development from multiple perspectives: as a designer creating original mechanics and as a producer helping multidisciplinary teams collaborate. Across both roles, I'm drawn to building systems that help people create memorable experiences together.
I design games that encourage people to connect through play. Whether through gesture-based controls, shared physical spaces, or cooperative systems built around communication and trust, I'm interested in mechanics that become intuitive enough to fade into the background. When players stop thinking about the controls and start focusing on one another, games become more than entertainment, they become shared experiences.
Me, Wilde, and Theron playing Pocket Smash while their mother is hard at work at Franklin BBQ
I'm particularly inspired by Gunpei Yokoi's philosophy of Lateral Thinking with Withered Technology, finding new experiences through familiar tools rather than relying on cutting-edge hardware. I believe accessible technology like phones, tablets, and web browsers can create extraordinary multiplayer experiences when they're designed around human interaction instead of technical novelty.
Gunpei Yokoi, Game Boy creator, whose philosophy inspired me.
I enjoy Austin's game development community, tabletop RPGs, and exploring how psychology, leadership, and systems design influence both teams and player experiences. Working in restaurant operations has shown me that memorable experiences are rarely created by one person, they emerge when talented people are supported by thoughtful processes and a shared purpose.
I'm fascinated by the systems that bring people together. Whether I'm producing a game, coordinating a team, or designing a multiplayer experience, I'm most interested in creating environments where meaningful interactions can naturally emerge.