resume

Summary

Game programmer with a passion for creating engaging player experiences.
10 years of professional experience in the videogame industry.
Have released games across a large variety of engines and technologies.
Have both worked in large teams requiring strong communication and structure, as well as smaller teams or solo, requiring strong self management.
Have worked with established video game properties such as Pokemon, Need for Speed and Real Racing.
Experience across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4.

Sr. Software Engineer
Sep, 2017 - Current (Japan - Tokyo)

Worked with external studio on pre-production of an unannounced mobile title.
Provided insight and guidance to Creatures project managers on mobile development.
With an agile team, lead development on prototype Switch title.
- Designed and developed a flow to allow 8-players to join the game and manage their controllers.
- High paced action game with a complex collision setup, allowing for smooth resolution of player/player and player/environment collisions, as well as damage and other trigger zones.
- Presented on multiple occassions to executive level at The Pokemon Company

Porting Developer (Contract)
Aug, 2015 - Sep, 2017 (Australia - Melbourne)

Ported a Unity game, Crawl, to PS4 / Xbox One.
Required development of console features such as user management, save games, controller management, achievements and other minor system features and support.
It also included handling publishing tasks such as ensuring platform compliance, performing QA, organising localisation, ratings and submission.
Had to work independently and diligently as I worked entirely from home with little oversight.

Co-founder / Software Engineer
Aug, 2015 - Sep, 2017 (Australia - Melbourne)

Worked on a small team with just myself doing programming and an artist, while we shared design and production duties.
Made games and apps using Unity for iOS/Android.
A large range of programming tasks and duties undertaken e.g 3D rendering, collision, metagame, currency systems, input and UI.
First time using Unity in a professional environment, had to self teach and be able to problem solve issues by myself.
Extended Unity Editor with tools to aid development, for example, created a Voxel Model Animation Tool.
Released two titles, Block ur Socks, an avatar creation app, and Dr Nakamoto’s Digital Eggs, a digital pet game.
Developed an unannounced prototype for a large Australian sporting organisation.

Software Engineer II
Aug, 2010 - Jun, 2015 (Australia - Melbourne)

All work done in custom in-house engines, mostly utilising C++.
Used SCRUM/Agile project management methodologies.
Worked on a title called Spy Mouse with a small team with just three engineers.
- Worked closely with designers and artists to implement game mechanics such as enemy AI, pathfinding, level objects, player controls and menus.
- Worked directly in OpenGL to create advanced visual effects such as particles, warping meshes and texture scrolling effects
Then was brought onto the Real Racing 3 team several months before launch
- Helped implement a “Quest” system that gave the player small tasks to accomplish for bonuses on each race.
- Worked on other areas in part, such as car repairing, car ownership, race game modes and leaderboards.
- Worked closely with Analytics Specialist to implement effective telemetry for tracking player behavior.
Then worked on Need for Speed: Most Wanted.
- UI programming in Lua, working closely with UI artists and designers to ensure their vision could be met, implementing generic behaviours and menu transitions as needed.
- Implemented game features to support UI such as race results, in-game HUD elements, car customization and achievements.
Finally worked on the sequel, Need for Speed: No Limits
- Again worked closely with UI artists to ensure UI met their vision, supporting them by scripting more complex features.
- Worked on game features such as progression, parts economy and currency systems.

Software Engineer
Feb, 2007 - Aug, 2009 (Australia - Melbourne)

Worked on Space Chimps, a 3D platformer for Xbox 360/Wii.
- Programmed game movement, enemy AI and level creation tools.

2005 - 2007 Bachelor of Computer Science, University of Western Sydney

Often take part in game jams, am a long time participant in the Ludum Dare competition where I participate with friends. Programmed for “The Maitre D”, that came first in several categories including Overall.
Started making games in ZZT, a dungeon-crawl/adventure game engine created by Epic’s Tim Sweeney, when I was a wee lad in High School.
Contributed programming and design to several Half-Life (and Half-Life 2) mods. Was an active contributor to the HLCoders mailing list, regularly speaking with Valve programmers and offering advice to other developers.
Try to stay healthy by going to the gym a few times a week.
Favourite game property is Half-Life!

Email contact@joncreates.com
Skype nuclearfriend