Zoo Dash

Zoo Dash is a 3–4 player strategy board game where animals plot their escape from a high-security zoo. Each player takes on the role of an animal — monkey, camel, dolphin, or penguin — and navigates through biomes, avoids zookeepers, and unlocks escape routes using a mix of wit, chance, and chaos.

As part of the design team Barbies & Ken, I co-developed this game from ideation to final prototyping. We divided the board into four biomes — Desert, Ice, Jungle, and Water — each influencing player movement through boost/block mechanics and personalized animal strengths. The game includes custom tokens, trap cards, zookeeper encounters, and a strategic unlocking system where players can either break out individually or go all-in with the Ultimate Lock Breaker.

We conducted iterative playtesting to refine game mechanics, balance card powers, and enhance pacing. Key challenges like movement restrictions, trading limitations, and cross-biome strategy brought a layer of depth that kept gameplay competitive and unpredictable.

This project deepened my understanding of experience design beyond the screen — building mechanics that are tactile, social, and emotionally engaging.

🧠 What I Learned

Designing Zoo Dash taught me that games aren't just about fun — they’re about balancing complexity, tension, and joy. Working hands-on with physical tokens, iterative rule systems, and live player feedback taught me how crucial it is to design for both clarity and chaos. It was also a powerful lesson in storytelling through gameplay mechanics — where every card, tile, and trap has meaning.

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