leo zuniga

Designer / Game Director -- @VelanStudios --Creative Leadership, Strong Generalist, Level Design Specialist I❤️Games, Family, VV, Music&Books. Opinions my own

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

🥰
As a kid who grew up skating all over L.A., first job @Activision summer '99, worked on original #THPS 1.
Changed my life forever, it gave me my career in video games.

Dedicate this to my family and 💕@VvisionsStudio
TY @tonyhawk @TonyHawkTheGame

Leo THPS1&2 Lead Designer

[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater @TonyHawkTheGame]

Be the G.O.A.T in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2! 🐐 Go bigger than ever before in #THPS with an epic roster of pro skaters, online multiplayer, and a whole lot more! Available September 4, 2020 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. 🎮 Pre-Order now and get access to the Warehouse Demo.

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

Surprise! I’m so happy to have worked on this! ❤️
So proud of the team at Velan Studios and our partnership with Nintendo.
🤘- Lead Level Designer -🤘

[Nintendo of America @NintendoAmerica]

Blast your way through enemies in a fast-paced adventure with Fox McCloud and the #StarFox team! Star Fox is coming to #NintendoSwitch2 on June 25.

Pre-order now: https://t.co/5wr6dHRFHm

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

I think we have something special.

On my 26th year in the industry. I've been lucky to have so many projects and IPs in my time so far, but this is a first for me, to show things much much earlier, to get it out there and iterate with our game community.

Taking risks is OK 🤘

[Velan Studios @velanstudios]

🚨 The Climbing Chaos demo is here!!! 🚨
It's early.
It's weird.
It features sharks with arms.
But it’s real, it’s playable, and we’d love for you to join us on this chaotic journey 🧗‍♀️
🧵👇

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

Happy 10th @Skylanders SwapForce!
Vividly remember brainstorm where the idea clicked, we iterated on it, team agreed "This is it!"
Many physical toys prototypes, gameplay protos, our game engine improved so much during it, we @VvisionsStudio improved so much ♥️
TY @ToysForBob

[the skylander dude @skylander_dude]

10 years ago today, Skylanders Swap Force released in the US!

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

@walaber ❤️ the clip

We @VvisionsStudio had a long history of 2D/3D platformers and yes
"Jump Shadow" is definately a feature 😀 . You're correct on both fronts "it's a new addition & a callback to how the old non/dynamic lighting shadow worked"

See @Skylanders @CrashBandicoot

[Walaber @walaber]

Analyzing the camera from THPS 1+2, and did I just find a MASSIVE BUG?!?

oh wait no, it's just super thoughtful design my bad.

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

Skateboarding has had such an impact in my life, ❤️memories, 100s hours till my first ollie 9yo, such joy🤘

🛹A constant for immigrant kid, sk8ted all of L.A.

Got chance 2 volunteer @ sk8Meetup @NWR_Albany
Grateful for this place 🙏 #thps #skateboarding
https://t.co/DKHQozrcgG

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

@Diablo Team3 Friends/Devs, CONGRATS!

2021: "Leo, Wanna work on Diablo?? "
HELLS YEAH, I DO!

1.5yrs working #DiabloIV
Gr8 people who welcomed me.
Had the chance to learn the craft of making a Diablo experience🤘

Moving on wasn't an easy decision and for that I'm thankful🙏

[Diablo @Diablo]

To everyone who has taken this journey with us, thank you.

#DiabloIV is available now. See you in Sanctuary.

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

@joegoroth You did meet someone who worked on the originals THPS 1,2,3,4 and all the GBA/DS versions by @VvisionsStudio ... also vividly remember one of our first conversations being about THPS, that's when I said, in a year or 2 we'll make @TonyHawkTheGame Remaster just for him 😉

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

By far. 🌌
For me... 😊
For me... 😌
I miss my people, my clan, my team 110% ❤️
I am beyond thankful to have had them in my life. But my goodness do I miss each and every of them ❤

Be good to eachother! Onto new clans, new team, new projects. 🤘

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

To my mentors over the years, to the young talent that I've had the chance to help grow over the years (while learning as much from them 😁).

"Go and listen, share, teach, learn"

I always look forward to opportunities like this. We had a great time.
Ty @RITMAGIC for having us.

[RIT MAGIC Spell Studios @RITMAGIC]

All smiles following a great visit with @momoMonkeys of @velanstudios + Haley of @ATVI_AB! We are fortunate to have such incredible #gamedev talent here in NYS. Thank you for giving back to the next generation of content creators! @RITtigers @ThatDamnGoatVG @EmpireStateDev #RIT

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

Got news!
I've joined @velanstudios 😊
Designer / Game Director

Amazing 20yrs @VvisionsStudio
🙏🍀❤️

-30yrs ago family immigrated to this country, young kid
-23yrs ago @Activision QA
-20yrs ago @VvisionsStudio Designer

25+ shipped games, many franchises🤘

Much ❤️ to my VVers!

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

18yrs ago moved East Coast
@VvisionsStudio My 2nd family

"WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER"

Thankful for the amazing work and people.
To those who gave me the opportunity
To those who took a chance on me
To those who follow
To those I follow
To my mentors
To my friends

Muchas Gracias!!

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

@ArcTheCad @VvisionsStudio Thanks @ArcTheCad it's been a blast working with you, since your highly motivated QA days to the Solid Designer you've become 🤘

Time machine, I'd go back to 9yo frustrated kid, can't ollie. "Keep at it, it'll click, you'll meet Tony Hawk and give some lessons to your DEV team"

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

👋I'm Leo,
"Stay in school, keep learning, we'll figure it out" Mom/Dad/Familia❤️

Immigrant, grew up low income, Familia & L.A. Libraries were heaven. Rode bus hours, post high school CAD Cert

🍀 '99 #thps ATVI QA
❤️20yrs going Design @VvisionsStudio

#WhatAGameDevLooksLike

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

Learning a new toolset.
"Why isn't this working?"

The slow yet clear realization that it's totally my fault, not the tool/engine/workflow... all on me😊
That feels great!

It's how u slowly build Trust&Learn your setup.

Don't know "the why"? Reach out
Also works with people ❤️

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

The talk that started my journey on learning and practicing Creative Cultures.

IMO, It isn't easy, but it is so worth the effort.
I have many stories and experiences of how awesome people came through, hard times, good times, how we bonded. I Thank Them!
https://t.co/0P9aUCWA48

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

❤️Pixar, huge fan of their work, I always wondered “How do they do it?”🤔

10+yrs ago a friend @VvisionsStudio Engineering sent over @edcatmull talk @Pixar culture🥰🤯🙌

#creativityinc
People-Candor-Craft-Trust-Safe-Authentic-Learn-Change-Vulnerable-Opportunities-Together-Care

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

🍀Summer '99, riding metro omw 2 Library, saw E3 banners, got off and snuck into it, so much schwag, played Quake3 Demo. Later went to @ATVI_AB site to D/L Q3, applied for QA, days later got the job, worked on 1st @TonyHawkTheGame

2yrs later hired by @VvisionsStudio Designer❤️🎮

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

An amazing accomplishment. Very proud of @VvisionsStudio and our new friends and home at @Blizzard_Ent . Crash, Tony and now @Diablo
BOOM!

[Diablo @Diablo]

Not even death will save you.

#Diablo2Resurrected is now live. 🔥

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

For 9yo leo whose first sk8board changed his life 👶

For 19yo leo whose QA job THPS1 changed his life🎮

For 29yo leo, tony, marvel, skylanders, crash, years into game dev 📚🌱

39yo leo, Tony Hawk Remaster, the return ☺

42yo leo can still Ollie 😛

🛹📚 🎮4Eva
Life is Good!

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

A great bunch, My @VvisionsStudio family.

Together, share stories, talk about the future ahead.
#ActiBlizzWalkout

[Thomas @tribute_tg]

I stand with all our co-workers today. Especially those who haven’t gotten the support they truly need #WeAreInThisTogether #ActiBlizzWalkout

[leo zuniga @momoMonkeys]

#actiblizzwalkout
As a son, brother, father, husband, friend, an immigrant.

To culture/society that gave me opportunities/adventures.
To industry that gave my career, let's do better.

"Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."