An interdisciplinary team from Arizona State University has launched a new video game titled Stella Astrum, which allows players to manage stars and planets in a vibrant galaxy. The game, aimed at all ages, was made available on the Steam platform in September after its development over 31 days this summer.
Collaboration and Development
The team, consisting of four ASU alumni and one current student, came together after meeting at the Xbox Game Camp, hosted by the Endless Game and Learning Lab at the Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center in Mesa, Arizona. The camp took place in May, where the team gained confidence in their abilities, leading them to pursue the creation of an actual game.
After winning prizes at the event, he decided to collaborate with his team and another group.
The project began on August 1 and concluded on August 31, with additional adjustments made before its release. The game is designed as a factory simulator where players construct their own galaxies by feeding elements into a black hole.
Team Composition and Skills
The team included William Gittings, a 2024 graduate from the School of Arts, Media, and Engineering; Brett Page, who graduated in 2025 from the School of Music, Dance, and Theatre; Shannon Langefels, a recent graduate from The GAME School; and Alfaroqomar Alaa Aldeen, a current master’s student in computer science at ASU. They were joined by Baylee Balsimo Ketelhut, a video artist and engineer from Mesa.
Langefels, who balanced her internship with the game’s development, described the process as intense and filled with late nights. She expressed her passion for the fusion of art and technology in video games, having pursued a degree in media arts and sciences with a focus on animation and computer gaming.
Game Features and Availability
The team communicated remotely through Discord during the development period and showcased their progress at a “demo night” organized by the International Game Developers Association. McBride felt confident about their progress after receiving positive feedback from attendees.
Stella Astrum emphasizes aesthetic appeal and engaging gameplay while presenting players with challenges. The game is playable on PC, with a free demo available alongside the full version priced at $10.
Source: Arizona State University
