Matt Finn ’26 stands on Virginia Tech’s campus in his graduation regalia, reflecting on his journey from lifelong gamer to aspiring game developer. Photo by Chase Parker for Virginia Tech.
Class of 2026: Matt Finn goes from playing games to building them
Creative technologies student Matt Finn said video gaming has been both a creative outlet and a powerful way to connect. Now, his game development interests, knowledge, and skills are building his future.
“I was introduced to video games early in my life,” Finn said. “Growing up, games were a family bonding activity.”
From split-screen sessions of Lego Batman with his sister to late-night matches of Super Smash Bros. Brawl with friends, gaming was quickly woven into the fabric of his childhood.
As he got older, games evolved — and so did his perspective.
“I would play multiplayer games like Rocket League, Destiny, and Fortnite late into the night,” he said. “Not just to play, but to understand the systems behind them.”
That curiosity reached a turning point in high school with an experimental game called Before Your Eyes. The game advances the story each time the player blinks.
“That transformed my love for games from a form of connection into an interactive form of art,” he said. “It made me think about and experience the world differently.”
Discovering the craft
Finn’s interest in creating games began modestly. It was “like a kid wanting to be a race car driver,” he said. During an advanced placement computer science class in his freshman year of high school, the momentum grew. Every assignment became an opportunity to build something game-like, culminating in a final project centered on pattern recognition and reaction.
Then came a deeper dive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I found a free online course on video game development,” Finn said. “I learned how to code in Lua, how to make a character move, and even recreated classic games.”
His interests sharpened into something more intentional — a desire to explore how mechanics, storytelling, and technology intersect.
Finding the right fit
When applying to colleges, Finn knew he wanted to attend a school that approached game design holistically. He wanted to understand the entire process.
Both of his parents went to Virginia Tech, so they gently nudged him toward their alma mater. As they looked into it further, they discovered the creative technologies program, which teaches students a wide range of fundamentals and allows them to explore their interests.
“I chose Virginia Tech and the creative technologies program because it allowed me to study a plethora of subjects that I was interested in — 3D art, game design, software development, and video editing,” he said.
Equally as important were the opportunities beyond the classroom, such as research labs and collaborative environments that allowed him to experiment and create, especially the Applied Research in Immersive Experiences and Simulations (ARIES) program in University Libraries.
Learning by doing
At ARIES, Finn stepped into a professional-style workflow that mirrored the game industry.
“I got to work in game engines, collaborate with teams, present progress, and iterate based on feedback,” he said. “ARIES provided me with a standard industry environment.”
Through ARIES, Finn had access to Adobe Substance Painter, ZBrush, Houdini, 360 cameras, motion tracking technology, and other professional-grade tools and technologies. He also honed valuable soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and managing deadlines.
“ARIES taught me how to work in an interdisciplinary team for a client,” he said. “That’s something you can’t fully replicate in a classroom.”
During his junior year, Finn and fellow student Jason Hodge developed a game called Grey’s Sonata. To create the game, the duo needed to create cinematic sequences quickly.
“The motion capture technology in the Virtual Environments Studio allowed us to stream data directly into Unreal Engine,” Finn said. “Many AAA game companies work with motion capture, so learning how to use it has taught me more about the entire production process in the gaming industry.”
Matt Finn ’26 uses motion capture technology in the Virtual Environments Studio to bring digital characters to life alongside fellow student Jason Hodge. Photo by Chase Parker for Virginia Tech.
A glimpse of what's next
After the duo published Grey’s Sonata on Steam, a startup game design company contacted Finn. While the company is still seeking funding, Finn has seized the opportunity to volunteer and gain experience alongside industry professionals.
“It’s a weight off my shoulders,” he said. “It’s proof that following my passion was worth it.”
From childhood gaming sessions to motion capture studios and immersive labs, Finn’s journey reflects a broader truth about creative technology: it thrives at the intersection of curiosity, collaboration, and opportunity.
At Virginia Tech, he found all three.
And now, as he prepares to step into the professional world, he’s not just playing games — he’s building them.
