2026 Students of Distinction

Chaz Dudley: Leveling up and changing the game

Gig Harbor Now is posting profiles featuring the Students of Distinction being honored by the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. Peers, teachers or parents nominate students, who must be a graduating senior at a Peninsula School District school. A panel of community leaders selects students to be honored in one of seven categories: academics; athletics; career and technical excellence; community service; music, arts and drama; overcoming adversity; and science and technology.

These students will be celebrated during a banquet from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at Ocean5, 5268 Pt. Fosdick Dr.

School: Peninsula High School

Category: Science and technology

When it comes to video games, Chaz knows what’s truly good. He has lots of experience playing big titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Call of Duty, as well as smaller titles like Mindustry and Bloons Card Storm. He has studied every single one of the games he’s played, and many games that he hasn’t played, with one goal in mind: to learn what makes them fun, and just as importantly, what makes them frustrating. Now, he’s preparing to enroll at the Digipen Institute of Technology, which will turn his studies from passion to career: a game designer.

Chaz Dudley

For all his focus on gaming, you might not expect Chaz to also be such a strong academic student. His transcript proves otherwise: he is graduating with 11 College in the High School credits, 7 AP credits, and advanced placement in math. It doesn’t stop there — Chaz also serves as President of the Chess Club at Peninsula High School. While some may assume a competitive gamer would have a short fuse, those who know Chaz describe something entirely different. Mr. Kendall, his history teacher who has watched him grow since freshman year, describes him as “reserved in his demeanor,” while Mrs. Bruess, his AVID teacher for three years, calls him “thoughtful.” By quietly breaking stereotypes surrounding his passions, Chaz has shown a maturity and focus that positions him well for the future.

The specific job of a game designer is to oversee the mechanics, balance, and sometimes story of a game. Some game designers are in it for the money. Their game design includes addiction and tactics to encourage excessive spending, like cheap purchases that add up as opposed to the full number all at once. Not Chaz. His passion for his craft leads him to set aside wealth in favor of quality and fun. His greatest philosophy in game design: “If the programmer is able to focus on the test itself while testing the game, it’s not fun enough.”

While Chaz has faced personal challenges throughout his life, including navigating his parents’ divorce and the unique obstacles that can come with autism, he has remained focused on finding the tools and support systems that help him succeed. He credits much of his confidence and direction to Mrs. Bruess, who helped him realize early on that his passions could become meaningful career paths with dedication and effort.

As Chaz works out his final weeks of high school, he is sure to make waves in the gaming industry with his unique ideas and critical study of the very essence of fun.