Original games, built to be played

hyperjoule (Juliann Stainbrook) is the Chief Executive Officer and Technical Director for hyLite studios.  She has been a full-stack web developer since the early 1990s, contributing to major projects for companies like American Greetings, Advance Publications, Microsoft, and AOL. With decades of experience, she has played a role in shaping the web and has been a contracted developer on some of the most popular and high-trafficked Meta-owned worlds.

As an early creator in the beta program for Horizon Worlds, she has applied her scripting expertise to hundreds of active worlds on the platform. Her work has been recognized in the Meta Horizon Creator Competition: Short Loop Mobile Worlds, where she won in the Best Use of Focused Interaction category. As a Meta contractor, she has mentored creators through the Builder’s Track and recently guided participants at the 2025 MIT RealityHack with Meta and XR Bootcamp. Hyperjoule has recently completed the XR Bootcamp Foundations course and earned a certificate with High Honors.  

In addition to her work with Meta, hyperjoule has worked professionally as a VR/XR developer and mentor for large media and software development firms, where she has contributed to some of the most innovative projects in the immersive technology space. Beyond her professional work, she also has extensive volunteer experience mentoring junior developers, helping them navigate the industry and grow their skills.

PurpleWren (Elaine West) is the Chief Creative Officer and Art Director for hyLite studios.  A pioneering VR developer, creative designer, and immersive storyteller who has helped pave the way for VR art and interactive experiences. As an early innovator in virtual storytelling, she pushes the boundaries of immersive media.

A Legacy MHCP member, PurpleWren contributed to Meta’s Creator Program, shaping VR game mechanics and player engagement strategies. She designs captivating interactive worlds, refining gameplay and retention mechanics to enhance player immersion.

With over 20 years in advertising and media, PurpleWren has led high-volume publishing operations, directing and printing thousands of newsprint issues while overseeing layout design, production, and audience engagement. Her expertise in branding, marketing, and interactive design strengthens her ability to craft compelling digital experiences.

Recently, she and her teammate won Meta's Horizon Worlds Mobile Game Loop Competition for Best Use of Focused Interaction, showcasing her ability to create intuitive game loops. She also collaborated with Meta’s Women+ Belonging Co-Design program, focusing on making the metaverse a better place. She continues to shape the future of VR and interactive media, pioneering new ways for audiences to engage with immersive storytelling.

Matthew Udy is the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Producer at hyLite studios. A seasoned creative director and game producer, he is known for crafting standout VR experiences in Horizon Worlds, including City Drift Racing, Tower Zen, and Chaos City Legends. His work spans both original creations and high-impact branded projects, such as The Wendyverse (Wendy’s), Chesterville (Cheetos), Regal Boxing, Goth Target, and The Soapstone.

Matthew has led end-to-end development on immersive worlds that blend narrative, interaction, and social engagement. With a deep understanding of virtual world-building and a strong background in design and production, he brings strategic leadership and creative excellence to hyLite’s growing portfolio.