Hello there! I'm Tristan.

I’m a Level Designer with over 3 years of experience, driven by curiosity & optimism. Since entering the industry, I’ve worked on a variety of games for diverse audiences and clients, that shipped on platforms like Nintendo Switch, Mobile and Meta Quest. Additionally, I am a juror in various game award committees and like to share knowledge in talks and workshops.

Nintendo Switch & PC | Adventure Game | Level Designer
Meta Quest | VR Educational Game | Level Designer
Mobile (iOs) | Museum Game | Game & Level Designer
Student Projects, Game Jam Entries and course work

Other activities

Public Speaking

“Affordances & Signifiers in Level Design”
Workshop for the Sudanese Game Collective 2020

“Ludisches Lernen – Eine Einführung in die Entwicklung von Serious Games”
Workshop for the GameBase Saar  2021

“Serious Play & Playful Work”
Guest Lecture at the Zeppelin University 2021

“Ernste Spiele in ernsten Zeiten?”
Guest on Panel Talk at the VIDEOcamp 2022

“LEVEL UP! – Einführung ins Game Design”
Workshops for the sk stiftung jugend und medien 2019-2022 (twice annually)

Podcast Host

Since 2021, I’ve been hosting the “Play at Work” podcast, where I interview various developers from all areas of the games industry.

Jury Work

Award Jury for “Best Game Design” at the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis 2021
Grand Award Jury at the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis 2022
Selection Committee at the AMAZE Awards | 2020-2023

Student Council | 2017-2020
As a member and later as the chairperson of the student council (Fachschaft) I organized events, mediated between students and staff, facilitated elections, and made an effort to improve the study experience at the Cologne Game Lab.
Event Volunteering

Next Level Festival | 2018 
Womenize! Games and Tech | 2018 
Berlin Games Week | 2019 
Devcom | 2019 
Indie Arena Booth @Gamescom | 2019 
Devcom | 2022

TristanHantschel

Let's talk!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions regarding my work or want to book me for a talk/workshop. I love meeting new people, exchanging ideas, and making friends along the way!