Thomas Henshell

Part-Time Instructor
I believe the artist’s role is to both delight and educate—raising deeper questions and revealing deeper truths. Our industry has focused only on delight, forgetting its power to shape thought and stir the soul. Games can do more, and as creators, we have a responsibility to aim higher.

Thomas Henshell is a veteran developer, studio founder, and educator with 25 years of programming and tech experience, including 15 years in game development. He leads Defiance Game Studio, where he and his team create original titles for PC, console, and mobile platforms. He also consults for other studios, advising on production workflows, technical design, and development strategy.

Thomas has contributed to major titles like Call of Duty Mobile and developed an indie game that ranks in the top 10% of revenue earners on Steam. He remains closely involved in the day-to-day realities of development—writing code, solving problems, and managing creative teams.

In the classroom, Thomas connects theory with practice, giving students a clear understanding of what it takes to ship a game. His teaching is grounded in real-world experience, focusing on collaboration, iteration, and delivering under pressure.

He is especially interested in the intersection of computer science and theology, and how games can tell stories that reflect deeper truths and lasting impact.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashenshell/

Expertise

Game Development, Game Design, Team Leadership, Business, Software Development, Organizational Psychology

  • GAME 160 Introduction to the Video Game Industry
  • GAME 240 Game Design for Video Games
  • GAME 351 Artificial Intelligence for Video Games