Matt Trussell GAME DESIGNER System Design - Balance - Programming matt@saturntrussell.com Bellevue, WA, USA Phone: (425) 869-1398 http://saturntrussell.com Tools C++ Visual Studio Microsoft Office Flash/Actionscript Paper Prototyping City of Heroes Mission Architect 3DS Max Hammer Supreme Commander Editor Education DigiPen Institute of Technology Bachelor of Science in Game Design - 2010 Skills Communication: Worked closely with Programmers, Artists and Producers, on a range of projects, understand the way different types of people interact, and am comfortable adjusting my process to work with others. Programming: Completed the first 2 years of DigiPen's RTIS degree, and code casually for my own projects. I have a solid grasp of software engineering principles and game engine architecture. Teamwork: Comfortable in junior positions, can take initiative and guide small teams. I enjoy working with different types of people, and recognize the individual benefits anyone can bring to a project. Experience Mechanized Assault Tactical Team (PC Turn Based Strategy Game - Senior Student Project, worked with team of 7 others) • Systems Designer: Designed and implemented stat system, combat system, unit and weapon stats. • Iterated heavily on stat values to keep units balanced but unique, as well as empower as many play styles as possible. • Ran playtesting sessions to gather feedback on gameplay, balance, user experience, as well as finding bugs. • Lead Designer: Worked with Programmers and Artists to implement Content Pipeline, worked with assistant designers to implement GUI and Missions. City of Heroes Mission Arc: The Rise and Fall of F.A.N.G. (PC MMORPG Mod - Individual Project) • Created 4 mission arc that parodies 80s comic book and cartoon villains. • Balanced custom enemies and encounters for both solo and group play. • Used embedded narrative and humor to tell a deeper story beyond combat for players who take the time to explore and find it. Teacher's Assistant - DigiPen Institute of Technology (Part time employment - Game 150 and GAT 305) • Assisted students in planning game engine architecture, answered coding questions. (Game 150) • Applied grading rubric to 2D RTS maps, assisted students in designing and placing combat encounters and visual cues. (GAT 305) Mechanized Assault Strategic Command (Tabletop Strategy Game - Senior Student Individual Project) • Translated Senior Game project world to tabletop form, allowing players to fight out battles on a larger scale using quick, efficient rules. • Created a damage tracking system that kept the game from requiring heavy book-keeping or additional counters. • Balanced units and victory conditions so that players could field custom or pre-set armies. Alien Snack Run (Board game - Junior Student Project, worked with a team of 3 others) • Created rule set to fit an assigned board setup. • Held the vision of a light-hearted family boardgame, worked to incorporate gameplay ideas without obscuring the simple rules structure. Time Trials (PC 2D Beat-em-up Game - Sophomore Student Project, worked with team of 4 others) • AI Designer and Coder: Created and implemented simple goal based state machines for enemies. • Created system for 2D level generation. Lassen County Search & Rescue (Volunteer - Technician) • Set up computer system and equipment database for Command Bus.