The freeCodeCamp Podcast

#99 Game Development and AI with Lynn Zheng

Sep 29, 2023

Lynn Zheng, a software engineer at freeCodeCamp and Salesforce, discusses her game development projects, including 'Learn to Code RPG'. She also talks about her experience as an engineer at a large tech company and being in work visa limbo. The podcast covers topics such as smart luggage cases, the Rinpy visual novel engine, adjusting to college life as an international student, creating interactive modules and AI language models, and building powerful computers for AI and game development.

57:52

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Episode guests

Lynn Zheng

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Generative AI tools revolutionize game development by facilitating rapid iteration and creation of high-quality assets.

Navigating the US immigration system as an international student in the tech industry can be challenging but can be overcome with valuable internships, projects, and networking.

Generative AI tools like Stable Diffusion enable visual novel creators to generate character graphics and explore new possibilities in prototyping and refining their projects.

Deep dives

The Power of Generative AI in Game Development

Generative AI tools, such as Stable Diffusion and Chat GPT, have revolutionized game development by allowing solo developers to quickly iterate on prototypes. These tools can generate character graphics, game scripts, and even code structure, making it easier to create proof of concept games. Solo developers can leverage generative AI to create high-quality assets without requiring advanced art or programming skills. This streamlines the development process and empowers creators to focus on refining their game ideas rather than struggling with technical limitations.

Introduction

3min

Meeting FreeCodeCamp and Discussing the Future

6min

Getting into University of Chicago and Creating a Smart Luggage Case

4min

Discovering Rinpy: A Fast and Impressive Visual Novel Engine

2min

Adjusting to College Life as an International Student

5min

Making Friends and Exploring

12min

Creating Interactive Modules and AI Language Models

14min

Building Powerful Computers for AI and Game Development

12min

Today I'm joined by Lynn Zheng. She's a software engineer at freeCodeCamp and at Salesforce.

Lynn grew up in Shenzhen, China – the computer hardware capital of the world. Both of her parents were engineers. And from an early age, they encouraged Lynn to learn math and computer science. She got into the prestigious Computer Science program at University of Chicago, where she earned both Bachelors and Masters degree – all by the age of 21.

I met up with Lynn at the Redwood City Public Library in the heart of Silicon Valley. But they didn't have any study rooms available. so we climbed to a nearby rooftop and recorded there.

We talk about Lynn's many game development projects, which culminated in Learn to Code RPG, a Visual Novel game where you learn to code and get a developer job. And we talk about her experience working as an engineer at one of the largest tech companies in the world, even as she's stuck in work visa limbo.

Next week will be our 100th episode, and I've got something extra special in store for you.

Tell your friends about the freeCodeCamp podcast. Let's inspire more folks to learn to code and build careers for themsleves in tech.

Learn to Code RPG: https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/learn-to-code-rpg/

Lynn's Stable Diffusion course: https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/stable-diffusion-crash-course/

Lynn on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lynnzheng08

Lynn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruolin-zheng/

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The freeCodeCamp Podcast

#99 Game Development and AI with Lynn Zheng

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Power of Generative AI in Game Development

Navigating the US Immigration System as an International Tech Worker

Creating a Learn-to-Code RPG: A Journey into Game Development

Harnessing the Power of Generative AI for Visual Novels

Exploring the Impact of AI in Tech: The Rise of Language Models

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
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AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

The freeCodeCamp Podcast

#99 Game Development and AI with Lynn Zheng

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Power of Generative AI in Game Development

Navigating the US Immigration System as an International Tech Worker

Creating a Learn-to-Code RPG: A Journey into Game Development

Harnessing the Power of Generative AI for Visual Novels

Exploring the Impact of AI in Tech: The Rise of Language Models

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AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

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Discoverhighlights

Get the Snipd
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