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Blog

  • Game Design

    Game Design

    We create focused interactive experiences.
    We love games that value your time, and our games reflect that.

    We design holisticly and with intent, always with an eye on the big picture.

    We believe that a focused core is key, and that intuitive game mechanics that are rewarding to use and feel good elevate games, making them both accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
    We always go the extra mile to ensure this.

    The process is different for every project, but here’s a sample of what we do:

    • Developing initial Ideas and Concepts
    • Iterative Design and Prototyping
      • We quickly build prototypes to test our assumptions and adjust from there.
    • Refining Gameplay Mechanics
      • Movement & Camera
      • Interaction
      • Enemy & Boss Design
    • Functional Level Design
      • Puzzle Design
      • Encounter Design
    • Balancing the overall Experience
    • Achievement Design
    • Polishing and adding the final bits of magic

  • Martin Birner

    Martin Birner

    Narrative / Character Design / Character Art / Animation / 2D Artist / 3D Artist / Illustration / UI Art

    Hi!
    I’m Martin and I am a Character Designer at Forbidden Folds.
    I am focusing on expressive cartoony Characters.
    From initial concept to Final game ready Assets and Animation I bring memorable characters to life.

    Furthermore, I create funny 2D illustrations, ranging from UI Icons to Menu and Key Art as well as in-game 2D Illustrations.

    In my free time I enjoy skateboarding, reading books and going to the cinema, preferably to watch horror movies.

    I create:

    Narratives

    I create strange but endearing worlds with lovable characters.

    Characters

    From design sketche and 3D sculpting to retopo and textures, I create game ready character models.

    Animations

    I bring cartoony characters to life by animating them with heart and soul.

    Rigs

    Before I can animate I need to rig my characters.

    Illustration

    I design 2D illustrations for games as well as anything else that requires cartoony figures.

    I hate emails. Please contact our company address instead:

    [email protected]

    Work Experience and Creative Endeavors

    2020 – Ongoing

    Forbidden Folds
    Co-Founder

    Narrative, Character Design, Character Art, Animation, 2D Illustrations

    2025 – Ongoing

    Kronberg
    Survival Horror

    Narrative, Character Design, Character Art, Animation, 2D Illustrations, UI Art

    2024 – Ongoing

    Dodgeball Burglar
    Top Down Action

    Narrative, Character Design, Character Art, Animation, 2D Illustrations, UI Art

    2023

    We Are One
    Freelance

    Concept Art and 3D Asset creation for VR

    2019 – 2023

    WHALIEN
    Puzzle Adventure

    Narrative, Character Design, Character Art, Animation, 2D Illustrations, UI Art

    2020

    Doomsburg
    Animated Shorts

    Narrative, Animation, 2D Illustrations

    2018

    Sunshine City
    Music Video

    2D animated video

    2018

    Undercover
    Mobile Game

    2D Illustrations and Animations

    Education

    2018-2022

    Master’s program in MultiMediaArt
    (not completed )
    Salzburg University of Applied Arts

    3D Animation & Game Development

    2015 – 2018

    Bachelor’s degree in MultiMediaArt
    Salzburg University of Applied Arts

    Media design & 3D Animation

  • Andreas Lang

    Andreas Lang

    C++ and Blueprint / Gameplay Programming / Systems Programming / Tools & Plugins / UI / UX

    Hey, I’m Andreas.
    I’m an Unreal Engine C++ and Blueprint programmer.

    I create and optimize new gameplay features & systems.I also work on all things UI.
    At Forbidden Folds, I am always in exchange with my colleagues – especially my programming partner Ralf – to keep our code maintainable, bug-free and up to standard.

    I am very enthusiastic when it comes to creating gameplay systems and integrating useful plugins.

    When I’m not working and I’m taking a break from my PC or other electronic gadgets, I enjoy a good book (mostly Fantasy or whatever comes out of Stephen Kings mind) or building models from Warhammer, Gunpla or Lego.

    Furthermore I’m always on the everlasting quest to find my perfect MMO-(RPG).

    I do:

    Gameplay Programming

    Implementing the main mechanics that make our games stand out.

    Systems Programming

    Fleshing out maintainable and extendable systems (e.g. a reusable conversation system).

    UI

    I collaborate with our Art department to build robust and intuitive UI.

    Tools & Plugins

    I support the team by finding and integrating helpful tools and plugins to make everyday workflows more comfortable.

    And I provide general tech support for everyone!

    say hi:

    [email protected]

    Work Experience and Creative Endeavors

    2020 – Ongoing

    Forbidden Folds
    Co-Founder

    Generalist Programming, Gameplay & Systems Programming, UI, Tools & Plugins

    2025 – Ongoing

    Kronberg
    Survival Horror

    Gameplay & Systems Programming, UI, Tools & Plugins

    2024 – Ongoing

    Dodgeball Burglar
    Top Down Action

    Gameplay & Systems Programming, UI, Tools & Plugins

    2023 – 2025

    Spirit of the North 2
    Open World Adventure
    Freelance Contract

    Port of the Xbox Series X/S version of the game

    General programming support

    2019 – 2023

    WHALIEN

    Puzzle Adventure

    Gameplay & Systems Programming, UI

    2018

    Escape from LowPoly 5

    Asymmetrical Local Multiplayer

    Gameplay & Systems Programming, UI

    2017

    Professional internship at the Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision (TU Graz, Austria)

    Test application for user study in Unity, resulted in a Paper CO-Authorship (link)

    Education

    2018 – 2022

    Master’s program in MultiMediaTechnology
    (not completed)

    Salzburg University of Applied Sciences

    Major: Game Development & Augmented Reality
    Minor: Mixed Reality Technologies

    2018

    Bachelor’s degree in MultiMediaTechnology Salzburg University of Applied Sciences

    Bachelor of Science
    Major: Game Development and Augmented Reality
    Minor: Game Studies & Game Design

    2012 – 2015

    Study of Computer Science
    Technical University Graz

  • Character Design

    Character Design

    Character Design

    We develop characters with a heart and soul. No exceptions.

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  • WHALIEN – 3D PUZZLE ADVENTURE

    WHALIEN – 3D PUZZLE ADVENTURE

    A third person puzzle adventure set aboard a mechanical whale!
    Use magnetic powers to interact with anything you can find!
    Solve tricky environment puzzles and save your whale-hearted friend from mischievous squiddies!

    It is our first game as a studio and we love it a lot, we hope you will love it too. <3

    Supported by

    “WHALIEN” is made possible with the support of aws Creative Impact.

  • World Building

    World Building

    WHALIEN

    physics based puzzle adventure game

    The world of WHALIEN is inspired by the look of plastic toys and colorful candy. We use bold colors and simplified shapes to encourage a sense of “playfulness”. Being a physics based puzzle adventure, it is important that objects are easily readable at a glance.

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    METANOIA

    mixed media short film

    METANOIA is an animated mixed media short film (~5min).
    Real sets are combined with digital character animation to create an exagerrated but grounded world.

    Our responsibilities include world design, digital pre-production, look development, analogue set planning and building as well as some post production (digital Backgrounds and vfx)

    Project core Team:

    Melanie Wressnigg
    Tristan Neuberger
    Jakob Steininger
    Jakob Vogel

    Find out more about the project here: Project Link

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    DOOMSBURG

    Worldbuilding for a series of digital Short Films

    Doomsburg is set in a world where the blood moon always shines bright.

    By Martin Birner, Jakob Vogel and Johannes Diekmann

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    Other Projects

    We just love building worlds.

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  • Ralf Zobl

    Ralf Zobl

    C++ and Blueprint / Gameplay Programming / Systems Programming / NPC, Enemy and Boss AI / Dev Ops / Porting / Profiling Optimization

    Hi. I’m Ralf.
    I’m an Unreal Engine C++ and Blueprint programmer.

    At Forbidden Folds, I spend my time creating and optimizing new gameplay systems.
    I also give life to our enemies and bosses with Game AI.
    I stay in constant exchange with my colleagues – especially my programming partner Andreas – to keep our code maintainable, bug-free and up to standard.
    I am in charge of porting process, and am very enthusiastic about bringing games to consoles.

    When I’m not working or playing Pokémon, I like to spend my time at the hockey rink or on my bike.

    I do:

    Gameplay Programming

    Implementing the main mechanics that make our games stand out.

    Systems Programming

    Fleshing out maintainable and extendable systems (e.g. a reusable level streaming system)

    Game AI

    Breathing life into our games’ enemies by giving them challenging but still fair behaviours

    Porting

    Optimizing code, fixing console-related bugs and finding the right settings to make the game run as smooth as possible on each target console

    Performance Optimization

    Analyzing, refactoring and fixing code to improve the CPU, GPU and Memory usage of our games

    Systems Administration & DevOps

    Maintaining our versioning system, build pipeline, cloud storage and general tech support for everyone!

    say hi:

    [email protected]

    Work Experience and Creative Endeavors

    2020 – Ongoing

    Forbidden Folds
    Co-Founder

    Generalist Programming, Gameplay & Systems Programming, Game AI, Porting, Dev Ops

    2025 – Ongoing

    Kronberg
    Survival Horror

    Gameplay & Systems Programming, Game AI, Porting

    2024 – Ongoing

    Dodgeball Burglar
    Top Down Action

    Gameplay & Systems Programming, Game AI, Porting

    2023

    Spirit of the North 2
    Open World Adventure
    Freelance Contract

    Implementation and integration of the game’s boss encounters. Port of the PlayStation 5 version of the game. General programming support.

    2018 – 2023

    WHALIEN – Unexpected Guests

    Physics-based Puzzle Adventure

    Gameplay & Systems Programming, Audio Tech

    2018

    Escape from LowPoly 5
    (University Project)

    Asymmetrical Local Multiplayer

    Gameplay & Systems Programming, Basic 3D Art

    2017

    ThreeDee GmbH (Munich, Germany)
    Internship

    Augmented and Virtual Reality programming in Unity and Unreal Engine

    2017

    SPHERElefanz

    Physics-based Puzzle Adventure

    Gameplay & Systems Programming, Level & Puzzle design

    Spiritual predecessor to WHALIEN – Unexpected Guests

    Education

    2018-2020

    MultiMediaTechnology Salzburg University of Applied Sciences

    Master of Science.
    Major: Game Development & Augmented Reality
    Minor: Mixed Reality Technologies

    2015-2018

    MultiMediaTechnology Salzburg University of Applied Sciences

    Bachelor of Science
    Major: Game Development and Augmented Reality
    Minor: Game Studies & Game Design

  • Herwig Atzlinger

    Herwig Atzlinger

    Prototyping / Game Design / Level Design / Puzzle Design / Encounter Design / Blueprint Scripting / BizDev

    Hello there!

    Hello there!

    I’m Herwig, Co-Founder, Game Designer and Level Designer at Forbidden Folds.

    I prototype gameplay mechanics, design our levels and script the flow of our games, always pushing our ideas to the high levels of polish we desire.

    From designing puzzles and layouts, to placing items and setting up encounters, I focus on pacing the experience as a whole, creating seamless, compelling and holistic gameplay experiences from beginning to end.

    I love stories in all shapes and forms! Whether it’s books, movies or games, I love getting lost in strange and interesting worlds, be it alternate versions of our own reality, or something altogether different.

    I also enjoy the occasional lengthy walk on the beach with my beloved Bridge Baby.

    I do:

    Game Design

    Coming up with creative and interesting game ideas and creating prototypes to test their viability. Then further fleshing out the details into a coherent and self-contained experience.

    Level Design

    Designing and blocking out fully functional levels as a basis for playtesting and subsequent art passes.

    Puzzle Design

    Coming up with a diverse range of puzzles, challenges, tasks or side quests that seamlessly integrate themselves into the setting, story and feel of the game.

    Achievement Design

    Designing challenges and events that are unique to the game, aiming to motivate the player to keep playing and unlocking more achievements.

    Blueprint Scripting

    Creating Blueprint code that is well-structured, thought out and documented, making it easily comprehensible for other designers or programmers.

    I am also busy pitching our games.

    say hi:

    [email protected]

    Work Experience and Creative Endeavors

    With Forbidden Folds

    2020 – Ongoing

    Forbidden Folds
    Co-Founder

    2025 – Ongoing

    Kronberg
    Survival Horror

    Game Design, Level Design, Scripting

    2024 – Ongoing

    Dodgeball Burglar
    Top Down Action

    Game Design, Level Design, Scripting

    2019 – 2023

    WHALIEN – Unexpected Guests
    Puzzle Adventure

    Game Design, Puzzle Design, Scripting

    Projects

    2019

    Flower Power
    (University Project)
    Clicker Game, Study

    A simple, flow-inducing game that utilises a gamified implementation of the Fitts Test to investigate potential relations between interaction performance and flow states.

    Design, Programming, accompanying Study

    2018

    Escape from LowPoly 5
    (University Project)

    Asymmetrical Local Multiplayer

    A chaotic game about space-bees competing to escape a dying planet.

    Gameplay Programming, Systems Programming, 3D Art

    2018

    VENUM – Virtual Environments for Natural, Unimpeded Movement
    (University Project)
    Level Editor, Study

    A level editor for VR environments that utilises Redirected Walking to allow for endless natural movement without ever reaching the limits of the tracking area.

    Design, Programming, accompanying Study

    2017

    Coaster Combat
    (Programming internship at ForceFieldVR in Amsterdam)
    Shooter, Action

    Gameplay Programming,
    Systems Programming

    2017

    SPHERElefanz
    (University Project)
    Puzzle Adventure

    A spiritual predecessor to WHALIEN – Unexpected Guests.

    Gameplay Programming, Systems Programming, Level Design, Puzzle Design

    2016

    SUPERNOVA
    (University Project)
    Local Multiplayer

    A game about two black holes competing to swallow the most planets.

    Design, Programming, Music and SFX

    Education

    2018-2022

    Master’s degree in MultiMediaTechnology
    Salzburg University of Applied Sciences

    Master of Science in Engineering
    Major: Game Development & Augmented Reality
    Minor: Mixed Reality Technologies

    2015-2018

    Bachelor’s degree in MultiMediaTechnology
    Salzburg University of Applied Sciences

    Bachelor of Science
    Major: Game Development and Augmented Reality
    Minor: Game Studies & Game Design

  • Jakob Vogel

    Jakob Vogel

    3D Generalist / Tech Art / Environment Art / Lighting / Lookdev / Level Design / VFX / 2D Artist / Concept Design

    Hi. I’m Jakob.
    I’m a 3D Generalist and Technical Artist with a background in Animation and Concept Art. I do all kinds of 2D and 3D Art.

    I spend most of my time building worlds.

    I enjoy pressing buttons, and spend my free time conjuring demons and with the occult.

    I do:

    Art Direction and Technical Art Direction

    I love bold and stylised looks. And even more I love figuring out efficient ways to create within the constraints of an indie team. I design art pipelines that allow our small team to dream big.

    Look development

    Utilising shaders, lighting and stylised models I create striking looks.

    World Building

    I create bespoke environments in close cooperation with level design.

    Lighting

    Directing and implementing lighting setups for both baked and dynamic settings.

    VFX

    Creating atmospheric and gameplay VFX using shaders, particle systems and every other trick I can find in my toolbox.

    Rigging

    With a focus on dynamic and reactive realtime rigs (control rig)

    Pre Production

    I design our worlds from the very beginning, from exploratory sketches to defining final art targets.

    and much more.

    Being a generalist allows me to draw on wide range of experience in making games. It allows me to bridge gaps between departments and people.

    I love making things. It’s my favourite way to communicate.
    Let’s build something magical together.

    say hi:

    [email protected]

    or connect with me on social media:

    Work Experience and Creative Endeavors

    2020 – Ongoing

    Forbidden Folds
    Co-Founder

    2025 – Ongoing

    Kronberg
    Survival Horror

    Art Direction, Level Art and additional Level Design, stylised Asset Creation, Lighting, Tech Art, Additional Rigging, dynamic Animations and Simulations,

    2024 – Ongoing

    Dodgeball Burglar
    Top Down Action

    Level Art, additional Level Design, Lookdevelopment, Shaders, Stylised VFX, Tech Art

    2023

    We Are One
    Freelance

    Concept Art and Final 3D Asset creation for VR. Weapon Assets were created from scratch, fitting seamlessly into existing design language (heavily stylised handpainted look) Also rigged and animated the final assets.

    2019 – 2023

    WHALIEN – Unexpected Guests

    Puzzle Adventure

    Lookdev, Shaders, Creating Level Kits, Environment Art, Lighting, Animation of Environment Assets, VFX, Tech Art, Camera Direction of ingame cinematics,…

    2020

    Vulvarine – Animal
    Music Video

    Storyboards

    2020

    Doomsburg
    Animated Shorts

    3D Generalist, Storyboarding, Concept Art, Animation, Post Production, Motion Design

    2018

    Heady Headface
    Installation

    Installation of suspended sculpture that was 3D Projection Mapped. Movement was tracked with VR equipment to project new textures onto the sculpture. Created together with Jakob Steininger at Schmiede Hallein.

    2018

    METANOIA
    Animated Short film

    The film combined handcracfted miniature sets and a digitally animated character. Worked on digital pre-production of the sets (Set Design, Camera, Scale,…) Concept Art, World Design and Set building as well as a bit of post production (digital backgrounds and vfx)

    2017

    Digital Dreams (Utrecht, NL)
    Internship

    Concept Art and Design for an unannounced game at Digital Dreams. We worked on something beautiful and weird that will sadly never see the light of day.

    2017 – 2023

    Lab of Pain – Instant36
    Short Films

    Worked on multiple animated short films for a 36h film festival happening yearly (Instant36) Worked on everything from Storyboards to 3D Scenes and Postproduction.

    2015

    Left Behind
    Animated Short film

    Stylised Models and Textures. Toon Shading.

    2014

    VAST
    Animated Short film

    Concept Art, Design, 3D, Postproduction

    Education

    2024

    course “Interactive Narratives” by Zhenia Puzankov

    course on narrative design, structures, experimental game narratives. Created multiple tiny text based narrative games utilising INK scripting.

    2018

    MultimediaArt with a focus on 3D at University of Applied Sciences Salzurg

    Bachelor of Arts
    3D Animation, Game Art and Design, Realtime Rendering and more

    2014

    HTBLuVA Spengergasse – Higher Technical School with a focus on Design and Animation.

  • Porting

    Porting

    Porting

    We bring games to consoles.

    As experienced Unreal Engine developers, we have the tools and knowledge to provide a streamlined porting experience when bringing Unreal games to consoles. Extensive experience allows us to create optimized console versions with a focus on smooth framerates, intuitive gamepad controls and Platform specific setups. We are certified UE5 developers for all three major consoles, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2.

    So far we brought Spirit of the North 2 (2025) to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

    For this project we went through the full porting process including:

    • Building the Game for consoles
    • Getting the game to launch on the target platforms
    • Finding the ideal settings and device profiles on each plattform
    • CPU and GPU Optimizations
      • Including Audio, Lighting, Save Game and general code optimizations
    • Reducing the memory footprint of the game
    • Close cooperation with the QA testing team
    • Achievement integration
    • Platform Compliance in cooperation with Silver Lining Interactive and Sony / Microsoft
    • Uploading and Publishing builds in cooperation with Silver Lining Interactive
    • Setup for add-on content