Artist Biography
Matthew Mazzarella is a graduating senior of Endicott College studying Graphic Design and Computer Science. He currently resides around Boston, Massachusetts where he plans to work after college. Post-graduation Matthew is going to take some time to update his portfolio and begin looking for work. Matthew’s design style is typically tongue-in-cheek designs that hopefully bring joy to those who view them. Matthew has a passion for technology that grew into a love of UX / UI design. For a full portfolio of their work check out
mazzarelladesign.com or @mazzarella.design on Instagram.
You can also contact him via email: [email protected]
Thesis Abstract
The purpose of The Cheating Game was to create a unique semi-competitive gaming experience for up to 4 players. The year is XX7X an alternate future where the style of the 1970s just kept going. Players assume the role of a prison inmate competing in a deranged game show run by a mysterious warden. In order to win players must lie, cheat and fight their way through rounds of bat-basing and banana peel-throwing action. In this competition cheating is the name of the game, players will have several opportunities to tip the scales in their favor or perhaps make life harder for an opponent.
This project was done in collaboration with Eli Bawmann & Tristen Koerber. Eli is a senior computer science major at Endicott College he is the main programmer behind the game as well as the level designer. Tristen is a junior illustration major at Ringling college of art and design he was responsible for creating the character designs and final portrait artwork. On this project, I worked as an art director, UX, motion, sound designer, illustrator, and even as a bit of a programmer. Often in video games, UI is strictly utilitarian leading to land, thoughtless designs. Form shouldn’t have to be sacrificed for function, The Cheating game has been a vehicle to push the boundaries of form and function creating something that is not only a pleasure to use but is also a joy to look at.