Monsters Incoming: Student-Built Game Now Available on Google Play

Monsters Incoming, a mobile tower defense game created by Toi Ohomai student Rong Liu, is now available for download on Google Play. The game blends cartoon-style visuals with strategic gameplay, as players defend their home base from waves of monsters.

Rong, a third-year Bachelor of Applied Information Technology student, developed the game over six months as part of his mid-year IT project. He presented Monsters Incoming at the 2025 Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology IT Project Showcase, held on campus in Tauranga on Tuesday, 17 June.

Bay of Plenty secondary school students interested in tech careers, their teachers, and IT industry employers were invited to the showcase to see first-hand what Toi Ohomai Bachelor of Applied Information Technology students learn throughout the three-year degree, and the practical, work-ready skills they gain.

Rong says he developed Monsters Incoming using Unity, a development platform used for creating 2D games.

“In Monsters Incoming, each defender has unique skills that can be levelled up through in-game rewards. As players progress, they can unlock new defenders through a lottery system which adds an element of surprise.”

The free-to-play game also incorporates cloud-save functionality and optional rewarded ads which allow players to earn bonus items.

“It’s playable offline, and simple controls make it fun and accessible,” Rong says.

Other projects presented at the showcase highlighted the programming, coding, cloud computing, and business and data intelligence skills students learn as part of the course, as well as how the programme fosters creativity and entrepreneurship.

Second-year student, Sayan Khadka, presented a meal and fitness app for international students studying abroad. Called SwasthyaFuel, the app generates personalised weekly meal plans and uses AI to suggest ingredient substitutes for recipe items that aren’t widely available in local supermarkets.

Sayan says, “The most rewarding moment came when a Chinese student told me the app made them feel less homesick.”

Another student, Gursimran Singh, showcased CrickChat Live, a mobile and web app that provides cricket scores in real-time along with a built-in chat function, so friends and fans can connect globally during live cricket games.

Toi Ohomai Academic Leader for Information Technology, Kaveeta Dutt, congratulates the tertiary students who presented their projects at the 2025 Toi Ohomai IT Project Showcase.

“It’s inspiring to see the innovation, technical skills and professionalism our ākonga bring to their work. The Bachelor of Applied Information Technology equips learners with in-demand skills in the growing and fast-moving technology industry. The practical learning environment on offer at Toi Ohomai, along with the IT internship our students complete in their final year, means on graduation ākonga are work-ready from day one,” Kaveeta says.

Want to play Monsters Incoming?

Search Monsters Incoming on Google Play to download the game for free on Android.

Looking into IT career pathways?

If you're into coding, gaming, or want to explore the growing number of career pathways available in IT and technology, learn more about our courses at Toi Ohomai.