Concept art from Coffee Empire: an isometric fortress built from coffee sacks and barrels

Independent game studio · Auckland, New Zealand

Strategy games made in New Zealand

With a strong focus on strategy, distinctive aesthetics, and cultural storytelling, we build games that offer players worldwide a truly fresh way to play. Our compact, high-performing team turns bold ideas into engaging experiences that redefine what gaming can be.

  • Strategy & simulation
  • Built in Unity
  • PC · Mobile · Web

Our games

Three worlds in the works

At NewPlay, our game projects are built around players’ needs and passions. We focus on designing strategy and simulation experiences that are not only engaging and rewarding, but also easy to enjoy for players at all levels.

In development Coffee Empire key art: a fortified coffee settlement seen from above

Strategy simulation

Coffee Empire

In Coffee Empire, players nurture thriving towns, manage precious in-game currency, and command bold conquests to forge a legendary realm powered by coffee.

Genre
Strategy simulation
Platform
Android
Engine
Unity
View the project
In pipeline Spirit Duel key art: a cultivator summoning a lightning-wreathed spirit beast as cards swirl around them

Collectible card game

Spirit Duel

Spirit Duel is a Xianxia-themed collectible card game where players summon spirit beasts and immortal warriors to battle for glory and destiny.

Genre
Collectible card
Setting
Xianxia
Status
Pipeline
In pipeline Warlord of Sengoku key art: samurai advancing on a hilltop castle beneath cherry blossom and Mount Fuji

Strategy

Warlord of Sengoku

Warlord of Sengoku lets players step into the shoes of a young daimyo, growing a modest town into a mighty stronghold and leading armies to claim supremacy across feudal Japan.

Genre
Strategy
Setting
Feudal Japan
Status
Pipeline

The studio

NewPlay is a creative game studio based in New Zealand

Dedicated to crafting original strategy and simulation games that connect players worldwide.

3

Titles in development

20+

Years of combined production experience

Unity

PC, mobile and web

Read our philosophy

Core team

A compact team with a long track record

Yi Hua (Pinky)

Yi Hua (Pinky)

Creative & Art Director | Founder

Pinky is a game designer with a background in system design and narrative planning. As Creative & Art Director, she leads core gameplay, balance, and worldbuilding, while defining the game’s visual style, character art, and UI experience. With over 6 years of industry experience and a portfolio of mobile strategy titles, she specializes in merging storytelling with distinctive art direction to craft unique player experiences.

Yuhao He

Yuhao He

Technical Director

Yuhao He is a senior Unity developer and software engineer with expertise in game architecture and internal toolchains. He currently leads the full technical development of Coffee Empire, with a focus on high performance and modular design. With over 14 years of project development experience, including roles as Lead Programmer and CTO at major studios, he brings strong technical leadership in large-scale strategy game production.

Ting Zhang

Ting Zhang

Operations & Publishing Lead

Ting oversees team management, production workflows, and external communications, ensuring smooth execution from concept to launch. She also leads user testing, community operations, and publishing partnerships, driving sustainable player engagement and market growth.

Tools we build with

Unity C# Spine Blender GitHub MySQL Trello

Work with us

Got a project, or want to join the team?

We take on selected client work alongside our own titles, and we are always interested in people who care about strategy games.