Derrick Fields is a digital artist and game designer based in Chicago, Illinois. He works to increase the visibility of BIPOC individuals involved in games and provide resources to young creators who are considering a path in digital media. He is the founder and director of Waking Oni Games and, as a futurist, works to identify emerging entertainment technologies, innovations, and consumer trends.
Derrick is the recipient of the Future Class Award and has spoken in academia, at conferences, and on panels supporting discussions in the entertainment landscape. He envisions a future for burgeoning BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ creators to see greater and more diverse reflection in the games industry and be empowered to create new disruptions. Derrick advocates that as new definitions are designed for interactive entertainment, they continue to be a vehicle for education, inspiration, and change.
Formerly, he was the lead artist for the award-winning Roblox game Adopt Me and contributed works to the BAFTA-nominated game Manifold Garden. He has joined the Radio, Television, and Film Department at Northwestern as an assistant professor to provide courses covering topics in game design and 3D animation.
Education
- BS, Animation Game Design, Kent State University
Recent Work
- Adopt Me
- Onsen Master
- Bushido Bots
- F.M. Radio
- IKU
- Oni Fighter Yasuke
Recent Awards and Honors
- Game Awards Future Class 2020
- Game Devs of Color Scholar 2020
- PlayNYC Graffiti Games Scholar 2020