Hi！
I‘m Donghua "Elish" Li
From the hand-drawn D&D campaigns in my primary school notebooks to playing Super Mario on my Gameboy and workshops on Warcraft 3, I understood that the ultimate goal of a game is fun. Later, exploring games like Journey, I discovered their capacity to evoke profound emotional experiences. This realization motivated me to delve further into game development during my Final Year Project for my Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. During this research, I recognized the immense potential of games as cultural carriers, capable of drawing attention to marginalized cultures. Games have become a widely accepted medium, both an engaging form of entertainment and a powerful tool to explore aspects you never notice in our world. This realization ignited my passion for game development and led me to pursue further studies.
Throughout my involvement in idea generation, I have always strived for new ideas that are rarely used, taking risks and exploring new avenues. This mindset proved instrumental in securing my first internship in Shenzhen, where I had the opportunity to prototype a game idea individually. Currently, my journey in SMU Guildhall has ended, and I am looking for a new journey and life in the game in the global game industry.
An Influential Sport.
I am an avid fan of Japanese culture, deeply enamored with its games, animations, recipes, and sports. I have a profound appreciation for the cultural products that Japan has shared with the world.
I joined without hesitation when I discovered that my undergraduate school had a Kendo Club. Initially, I saw it as a way to engage in a daily sport for fitness and connect with like-minded individuals who shared my passion for Japanese culture. However, the longer I practiced Kendo, the more it taught me and transformed my perspective on work and life.
One valuable lesson I learned from Kendo is the importance of taking things seriously, regardless of their size or impact. If I enjoy or want to pursue something, it deserves my total concentration and effort. Dedicating myself wholeheartedly to a thing, I reap personal rewards and leave a profound impression on others who observe my efforts.
Kendo has also facilitated my learning of Zen and meditation. After each Kendo session, all participants must engage in 'Mokusou,' or meditation in English, for a few minutes, reflecting on their experiences, accomplishments, and lessons learned that day. This meditation practice has expanded my ability to reflect on every aspect of my life, no matter how insignificant it may seem, and my ability to adjust my emotions about what I am struggling with. Before going to bed, when I am tired or have completed my assignments, I often ask myself: Was today worth it? What went wrong? What went well? And how can I improve?
Gallery of my Favors.
GAME.
Octopath Traveler I & II
Octopath Traveler series has always been my favorite JRPG series due to its captivating core gameplay mechanics, compelling narratives in both the main story and side quests, and the masterful orchestration of its background music, which evokes strong emotions within the player.
Beyond the immersive experience of feeling like a traveler alongside the protagonists, one aspect I particularly appreciate is the underlying philosophy conveyed by the creators through the side quests: 'One in a Lifetime.' These quests are skillfully divided into multiple sub-quests scattered throughout the expansive game world, igniting my passion for exploring and revisiting their meticulously crafted universe time and time.
ANIME.
