Creating Without Limits: A Game Developer’s Pace Path

Brennan Moores came to Pace University to create. A BA in Computer Science major with a minor in Game Development, Brennan was a passionate game developer enrolling into college who wanted to find a program in which he could help build a community where creative experimentation could thrive. That’s why he chose Pace’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science. Now his solo-developed indie Blitzstrike is making waves across the gaming world.

What started as a personal project transformed over the course of an academic year into a full-fledged release on Steam. Blitzstrike is a vibrant, fast-paced 2D action-platformer featuring Trixel, a pink-haired bounty hunter navigating a neon future filled with robotic enemies and buried secrets. The game’s charm and polish have already earned it a spotlight in Export Magazine, along with praise for its tight controls, retro soundtrack, and distinct aesthetic.

“I wanted Blitzstrike to be something that reflected me, not just as a developer, but as a student still figuring things out,” Brennan says.

Thanks to what I learned at Seidenberg, as well as the supportive community of people who want to see others succeed, I was able to take an idea from scratch and make it real.

Brennan not only designed the game, but he also handled every part of its production. Every frame of pixel art, every line of code, every translation and achievement badge were created by him. The final product boasts ten handcrafted levels, full controller support, Steam Deck compatibility, and full localization in English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Japanese.

Image

That passion for building things from the ground up is what first drew him to Pace. “I chose Seidenberg because I saw it not just as a place with strong resources and a supportive community, but as a place where I could actually build something,” Brennan explains. “As a game developer, I wanted a space that encouraged experimentation, creativity, and student-led projects."

Seidenberg felt like a school where I wouldn’t just participate, I’d help create the kind of community I wanted to see in tech and gaming.

Before he started working on his big milestone, Blitzstrike, Brennan explored a range of creative and technical challenges through coursework and projects. In one standout class taught by Carmine Guida, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and director of the Game Development program at Seidenberg, Brennan developed Time, Line, a minimalist game where time only moves when the player does. “It explores themes of isolation and forward motion,” he says. “What made it special was how it let me channel my learning into something quieter and more reflective, which [was] a very different creative challenge from works like Blitzstrike.” He had previously collaborated with Dr. Guida on an AI-driven fighting game character named RALF—short for Reinforcement Automatic Learning Fighter, but Time, Line marked the first time he was able complete the full development cycle with a game. Seeing it through from prototype to a polished experience he could actually share with others was a huge stepping stone for him.

Outside the classroom, one of Brennan’s most meaningful experiences at Pace was running a radio show called KONG STUDIOS on Pace’s student station, where he played an eclectic mix of ‘90s underground and alternative music each week. “It helped me develop my voice literally and creatively,” he says. “Curating sounds, building an audience, and managing the show weekly gave me a strong sense of creative discipline.” Though he stepped away after four semesters to fully focus on game development, that experience continues to shape his thinking around tone, atmosphere, and pacing in his games.

When asked what he values most about his time at Seidenberg, Brennan doesn’t hesitate: “I would say it’s the community, the expression, and the sophistication that comes from projects. One friend could be building a Minecraft clone, the other could be making VR solutions for education training!”

With Blitzstrike now live and gaining momentum online, it’s clear that Brennan’s journey is far from over. Blending technical skill, creative drive, and a passion for expression, Brennan is forging his path while helping shape a community that supports others to do the same.