Iain Harrison

Academic Achievement

On July 12, 2022, I graduated from Saxion University of Applied Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in Creative Media and Game Technologies, achieving a score of 8.1/10 (equivalent to First Class Honours).

Core Areas of Study

• Game Programming & Software Architecture
• 3D Modeling & Animation
• Game Design & Player Experience
• Interactive Media Development
• Project Management & Team Collaboration
• User Experience Design

Key Projects

• Met'Em - 100-player multiplayer social platform with Abstraction Games
• Various game prototypes exploring different genres and mechanics
• Interactive media installations combining hardware and software
• Collaborative industry projects with real-world clients

Technical Skills Acquired

• Proficiency in C#, C++, and other programming languages
• Expert knowledge of Unity and experience with Unreal Engine
• Version control and collaborative development workflows
• Cross-platform development techniques
• Performance optimization for interactive applications

Self-Directed Learning

Beyond the formal curriculum, I consistently pursued self-directed learning in areas such as:

• Mobile game development and monetization strategies
• Live2D animation techniques
• Advanced shader programming
• Game marketing and community building

Philosophy

Although I've completed my formal education, I maintain a growth mindset and consider myself a lifelong learner. I believe that the rapidly evolving field of game development requires continuous learning and adaptation, and I'm committed to staying at the forefront of industry developments throughout my professional career.

Project Overview

I worked at Thales, a leading navy and aerospace defense company, where I contributed to their Naval Game - a serious game designed to engage students potentially interested in careers at Thales.

My Role

UX Developer & UI Systems Engineer

Technologies Used

• Unity Game Engine
• C# Programming
• Custom Animation Systems
• UI Framework Development

Key Contributions

I was responsible for significantly improving the user experience by:

• Designing and implementing dynamic animated scene transitions
• Creating responsive UI feedback systems
• Developing reusable tools and frameworks for future developers
• Establishing UX standards and documentation

Challenges & Solutions

The main challenge was creating intuitive transitions between complex simulation scenarios while maintaining performance. I solved this by developing a modular transition system that pre-loaded assets and used efficient animation techniques to ensure smooth experiences even on lower-end hardware.

Outcomes

• Improved user engagement metrics
• Reduced development time for new scenarios
• Consistent UX standards across the application
• Better maintainability for future development

Project Overview

Met'Em was an ambitious university project developed in collaboration with Abstraction Games. Our team of seven was tasked with creating a 100-player multiplayer social space featuring live video and audio communication, along with various mini-games for users to enjoy together.

My Role

Lead Network Engineer & Audio/Video Integration Specialist

Technologies Used

• Unreal Engine 4
• C++ Programming
• Agora SDK (Real-time Communication API)
• Multiplayer Networking Architecture
• Blueprint Visual Scripting

Key Contributions

• Implemented real-time video and audio communication using the Agora C++ API
• Designed and optimized network architecture to support 100 concurrent users
• Created integration systems between the communication layer and game mechanics
• Collaborated with team members to ensure mini-games functioned properly in the multiplayer environment

Challenges & Solutions

The biggest challenge was integrating the Agora API, which had limited documentation for Unreal Engine, while ensuring optimal performance with many simultaneous video/audio streams. I solved this by creating a custom wrapper class that efficiently managed resources and implemented dynamic quality scaling based on connection strength and number of active users.

Outcomes

• Successfully delivered a functioning multiplayer platform that supported our target user count
• Received positive feedback from Abstraction Games on the technical implementation
• Gained valuable experience in large-scale multiplayer development
• Developed reusable components for future real-time communication projects

Watch the gameplay trailer here

Project Overview

'Leading through Uncertainty' was developed at Talespin in response to the COVID-19 pandemic's unprecedented impact on workplace leadership. This VR-based training program was designed to help business leaders navigate crisis situations by developing critical soft skills through immersive simulation experiences.

My Role

VR Development Intern & Quality Assurance Specialist

Technologies Used

• Unity Game Engine
• C# Programming
• VR Development (Oculus/Meta SDK)
• Version Control Systems
• Bug Tracking & Documentation Tools

Key Contributions

I joined Talespin during the final stages of this project, allowing me to focus on:

• Identifying and resolving critical bugs and performance issues
• Optimizing VR interactions for intuitive user experience
• Collaborating with the QA team on comprehensive testing protocols
• Documenting best practices for future project maintenance
• Supporting the final polish phase before client delivery

Learning Outcomes

This project provided valuable insights into:

• Professional VR development workflows in a corporate environment
• Effective project finalization and delivery processes
• Quality assurance methodologies for immersive experiences
• How VR can effectively simulate complex interpersonal scenarios
• The importance of user feedback in refining training simulations

Project Impact

As part of Talespin's CoPilot platform, 'Leading through Uncertainty' has helped numerous business leaders develop crucial crisis management skills through immersive VR training, demonstrating the practical application of virtual reality technology for professional development in challenging times.

Project Overview

While working at Talespin, I had the opportunity to be part of the engineering team for Project Propel, a VR-based training platform focused on teaching practical hard skills. Unlike Talespin's CoPilot project which focused on soft skills training, Propel was designed to teach technical skills such as using specialized tools and equipment.

My Role

VR Interaction Engineer & Feature Developer

Technologies Used

• Unity Game Engine
• C# Programming
• VR Development (Oculus/Meta SDK)
• 3D Interaction Design
• Physics-Based Tool Simulation

Key Contributions

I was involved from the project's inception through to its first alpha release, contributing to:

• Designing and implementing a dynamic interactable wristwatch UI that could be physically tapped in VR to pause the experience
• Creating realistic physics-based interactions for various tools used in training scenarios
• Developing and polishing the virtual tools used by players during training
• Implementing feedback systems to guide users through complex technical procedures
• Collaborating with instructional designers to ensure training accuracy

Challenges & Solutions

A significant challenge was creating intuitive VR interactions for technical tools that accurately simulated their real-world counterparts while remaining user-friendly. I addressed this by implementing a hybrid approach that combined realistic physics with subtle guidance systems and haptic feedback to help users understand proper tool usage.

Outcomes

• Successfully delivered the first alpha version of the Propel platform
• Created reusable interaction frameworks that accelerated development of new training modules
• Established best practices for technical skill simulation in VR
• Contributed to a platform that effectively teaches practical skills in an immersive environment

Project Overview

This is a personal passion project I've been developing alongside my university studies since 2020. Inspired by popular games like KleptoCats and Neko Atsume, I created a mobile game about collecting and caring for a variety of unique cats that visit the player's customizable house.

My Role

Solo Developer (Programming, Art, Design, Marketing)

Technologies Used

• Unity Game Engine
• C# Programming
• Live2D Animation System
• AdMob & Unity Ads Integration
• Localization Systems
• Mobile UI/UX Design

Key Features

• Collection-based gameplay with dozens of unique cat characters
• House customization with unlockable furniture and decorations
• Stat-based progression system that influences cat visitation
• Dynamic 2D animations using Live2D technology
• Multi-language support for international release
• Monetization through strategic ad placement and optional purchases

Challenges & Solutions

The biggest challenge was balancing the scope of the project as a solo developer while maintaining high-quality standards. I addressed this by implementing an iterative development approach, focusing on core gameplay mechanics first, then gradually expanding features while documenting the process on YouTube to maintain accountability and gather community feedback.

Outcomes

• Developed a complete game from concept to near-release state
• Gained comprehensive experience in all aspects of mobile game development
• Built a YouTube following documenting the development process
• Mastered Live2D animation techniques for dynamic character presentation
• Developed effective monetization strategies for free-to-play mobile games

Program Overview

During the 3rd year of my university course, I completed a specialized minor called "Doing Business with China." This program was strategically chosen to support my goal of releasing my mobile game in the Chinese market, which represents one of the largest and most unique gaming markets globally.

Key Areas of Study

• Chinese Business Practices & Etiquette
• Chinese History & Cultural Context
• Mandarin Language Fundamentals
• Intercultural Management & Communication
• Chinese Market Entry Strategies
• Regulatory Environment for Digital Products in China

Skills Developed

• Cross-cultural communication and negotiation
• Cultural empathy and adaptability
• International business strategy
• Market analysis for Eastern markets
• Basic Mandarin language proficiency

Application to Game Development

This minor provided invaluable insights for developing games with global appeal, particularly for Eastern markets. I gained understanding of:

• Cultural preferences in game aesthetics and mechanics
• Localization considerations beyond simple translation
• Regulatory requirements for publishing games in China
• Monetization strategies effective in the Chinese market

Personal Impact

Having moved from England to the Netherlands, I've always appreciated cultural diversity. This program deepened my ability to empathize with cultural differences in professional settings. The most valuable lesson was understanding that effective international collaboration requires not just awareness of differences, but genuine appreciation for the unique perspectives and approaches that diverse cultures bring to creative and technical work.