About
Gameplay Systems Engineer with 3 years of experience in professional game development, 8 years in software development, and a Master's Degree from DigiPen Institute of Technology. Credited on Iron Man VR, and contributed to two other unannounced titles at Endeavor One
Gameplay Engineer.
I'm passionate and excited about bringing the next immersive and exciting experiences to players
- Video Portfolio: (Updated Jan 2022) YouTube link
- Phone: (253) 880-8990
- City: Renton, WA
- Age: 27
- Degree: Master of Computer Science (DigiPen)
- Email: AdamRhoadesDev@gmail.com
I'm a passionate gameplay engineer who loves making and playing games. I have been celebrated by my peers and leaders for diving right into unknown code bases, quickly understanding them, and providing the solutions that are needed at an exceptional rate. I enjoy breaking down complex problems into well-thought-out plans. I have experience collaborating in lockstep with design planning new game systems, refactoring existing ones, and prototypical gameplay programming. I'm known for my ability to give quick technical feedback on ideas, and my never-stopping pursuit of fun. I work hard and am only satisfied with high-quality designs and thrilling gameplay that I would enjoy as a player.
Facts
Throughout my professional experience, I'm proud of a few things.
Years of professional gameplay programming experience
Game Shipped
Gameplay Systems architected and owned
Analyzed comparable titles, driving technical discussion and decision making
Resume
Gameplay Engineer with 3 years of experience in professional game development using Unity and C#. Master's Degree graduate from DigiPen Institute of Technology specializing in C++ game development and graphics. Broad industry background with 8 years of experience in software development, synthesizing strong engineering fundamentals with game development. Proven expertise in building scalable, optimized gameplay systems with a focus on maintainability. Known for close collaboration with the design team, ensuring prototyping is quick, and gameplay systems are planned to solve the right problems.
Projects
Unannounced Project (Unity VR)
December 2023 - December 2024
Endeavor One, Seattle WA
- In-depth gameplay work in the physics weapon sandbox including swing prediction, hit feedback, weapon feel, and special weapon behavior.
- Implemented and iterated on a modular damage flow system (health, shields, hit-location tree) and a unified feedback pipeline (SFX, VFX, haptics, decals).
- Analyzed over 20 comparable titles in the VR, PC, and Console spaces, to drive technical discussion around combat feel, progression, and mechanics.
Unannounced Project (Unity VR)
December 2022 - November 2023
Endeavor One, Seattle WA
- Designed and continually updated 3 fundamental game systems, particularly player movement, data-driven UI, and VR interactions
- Owned the player movement system, which handles input and and management of over 8 movement methods (running, jumping, dashing).
- Rapidly prototyped many bite-sized gameplay features such as stealth obstacles, stealth detection UI, AI companion collaboration, and simple weapons.
Iron Man VR (Link)
June 2022 - November 2022
Endeavor One + Camouflaj, Seattle WA
- Performed memory and performance profiling to identify key performance bottlenecks and memory leaks causing frame drops, hitching and crashing.
- Seamlessly integrated into an external team's workflows, receiving recognition from leadership for reliability and immediately impactful contributions.
- Resolved more than 50 critical and progression blocking bugs in visual scripting and code.
Heart of the Forest
January 2022 - April 2022
DigiPen Institute of Technology, Redmond WA
- Utilized Team Wombat Game Engine to build "Heart of the Forest", a 3D tower defense game with a 3rd person building and combat system (inspired by Orcs Must Die and Dungeon Defenders).
- Guided teamwork through scrums, co-leading design meetings, and advanced version control using branching and pull requests.
- Analyzed player feedback on systems such as controls, camera, construction, combat, responsiveness, movement, model clarity, learning, UI/UX, and mechanics to improve game design and gameplay.
- Collaborated with another student to create a map/level editor for rapid level design.
Team Wombat Engine
August 2021 - December 2021
DigiPen Institute of Technology, Redmond WA
- Constructed a full-featured 3D game engine on a team of 7 students using C++.
- Implemented a multi-threaded model loading system that utilizes ASSIMP for easy importing of any asset into the game.
- Developed a skeletal-animation system that utilizes keyframe data to animate characters in the game prototypes.
- Designed and scripted a 3D platformer prototype with checkpoints, air fans, moving platforms, and projectiles using Lua.
Concaveity
January 2021 - April 2021
DigiPen Institute of Technology, Redmond WA
- Designed and developed a 2D dungeon stealth platformer game in C++ inspired by "Impossible Mission".
- Collaborated with a team of 4 students to create a 2D game engine that managed physics, graphics, simple animations, combat, cooldowns, levels, and objectives.
- Designed levels to introduce players to mechanics of the game slowly, so new players learn without any need for a tutorial.
- Analyzed and integrated player feedback on systems such as controls, combat, responsiveness, movement, level design, art clarity, difficulty, learning, and UI/UX to improve game design and gameplay.
Professional Experience
VR Gameplay Engineer - Endeavor One
2022 - 2025
Seattle, WA
- Architected 5 fundamental gameplay systems including player movement, damage flow, data-driven UI, VR interactions, and a unified feedback pipeline.
- Gathered technical and design requirements across departments to implement gameplay and weapon sandbox needs.
- Collaborated weekly with other departments, especially design, analyzing features of comparable titles, and giving crucial technical and creative feedback.
- Authored several game pitches and system prototypes, with two selected for presentation to investors due to exceptional strategic depth and creative vision.
Software Development Consultant - ERP Edge
2017 - 2022
Edgewood, WA
- Developed C# services to meet specific client needs that automate processes such as order allocation, printing, and shipping.
- Constructed custom dashboards and webpages that display critical manufacturing database information using a blend of advanced SQL and ASP.NET.
- Quickly researched the latest software development tools, techniques, languages, and practices to immediately meet client needs.
Education
Master of Science in Computer Science - Computer Graphics
2020 - 2022
Digipen Institute of Technology, Redmond WA
- Experience working with a team of 7 for a year long game project.
- Custom game engine construction, integrating player feedback, physics simulations, animation, game AI, and real-time graphics rendering.
- Coursework included Advanced Animation & Simulation, Advanced Real-Time Rendering, AI in Games, Fundamentals of Game Development, Object-Oriented Design and Programming in C++, Game Project.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
2016 - 2020
Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA
- Experience working with a small team for a year long capstone project focusing on acceleration structures for raytracing.
- Founded PLU:GD, a Unity-Based Game Development club for introducing students to making games, with any level of technical, artistic, or design background.
- Computer Science TA
- Coursework included Advanced Graphics, Data Structures, Computer Organization (Obj-C), Programming Languages, and AI.
- Minor in Mathematics - a strong background in Calculus, Logic, Linear Algebra, Quaternions, Matrix Manipulation, and other forms of 3D Math.
Contact
I am interested in continuing my career in game development after my previous studio had to stop development and let go of their development team. If you have an opportunity, questions, or would like more information, please reach out to me in one of the following ways.
Email:
AdamRhoadesDev@gmail.com
Call/Text:
(253) 880-8990