Jared Ellis
(704)-526-6422 | jared.blake.ellis@gmail.com | github.com/JaredEllis
Passionate Gameplay Programmer with a keen interest in crafting immersive and dynamic first-person shooter (FPS) games. Proficient in Unreal Engine and Unity, with a proven track record of developing and optimizing FPS gameplay mechanics. Committed to creating engaging and unforgettable player experiences through technical expertise and a deep love for the FPS genre.
Education
The University of Texas at Dallas (3.8 GPA)
BA in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication; concentration in Animation and Games
AUG 2021 - DEC 2023
Served as an officer for the Student Game Developer Association. Enthusiastic participant in various game jams and hackathons, fostering creative and collaborative skills in game development.
BA in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication; concentration in Animation and Games
AUG 2021 - DEC 2023
Served as an officer for the Student Game Developer Association. Enthusiastic participant in various game jams and hackathons, fostering creative and collaborative skills in game development.
Experience
Gameplay Programmer / Co-Founder
"Grimhook" - Unlimited Fries
MAR 2023 - PRESENT
- Successfully shipped on Steam, achieving over 150,000 copies sold and 98% positive reviews from over 2,000 reviewers.
- Collaborated with design teams to iterate on gameplay features, refining and enhancing the overall player experience.
- Worked closely with artists to integrate assets, animations, and visual effects, maintaining a cohesive and visually appealing game environment.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve gameplay-related issues, ensuring a polished final product.
"Grimhook" - Unlimited Fries
MAR 2023 - PRESENT
- Successfully shipped on Steam, achieving over 150,000 copies sold and 98% positive reviews from over 2,000 reviewers.
- Collaborated with design teams to iterate on gameplay features, refining and enhancing the overall player experience.
- Worked closely with artists to integrate assets, animations, and visual effects, maintaining a cohesive and visually appealing game environment.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve gameplay-related issues, ensuring a polished final product.
Lead Technical Designer
"The Colony 2044" - Nexrage Studios
jan 2024 - Present
"The Colony 2044" - Nexrage Studios
jan 2024 - Present
-Facilitated collaborative design brainstorming meetings and scrums using project management tools such as Jira and Confluence, fostering effective communication and coordination among team members.
-Coordinated closely with the programming team to streamline workflow processes, resolving technical challenges and optimizing performance to deliver high-quality gameplay experiences.
-Implemented and maintained robust documentation practices, ensuring clear and concise communication of design specifications, technical requirements, and project milestones.
-Coordinated closely with the programming team to streamline workflow processes, resolving technical challenges and optimizing performance to deliver high-quality gameplay experiences.
-Implemented and maintained robust documentation practices, ensuring clear and concise communication of design specifications, technical requirements, and project milestones.
Gameplay Programmer
"Project Chameleon" - Nexrage Studios
MAY 2023 - Jan 2024
- Developed and implemented core gameplay mechanics for first-person shooter games in Unreal Engine 5, including character controls, weapon systems, and combat mechanics.
- Utilized Blueprints and C++ to create custom functionalities and game systems, ensuring smooth and bug-free gameplay experiences.
- Implemented multiplayer features, including networked gameplay mechanics, to support online and LAN play in FPS games.
- Participated in playtesting and user feedback sessions to identify and address gameplay imbalances and enhance overall player engagement.
"Project Chameleon" - Nexrage Studios
MAY 2023 - Jan 2024
- Developed and implemented core gameplay mechanics for first-person shooter games in Unreal Engine 5, including character controls, weapon systems, and combat mechanics.
- Utilized Blueprints and C++ to create custom functionalities and game systems, ensuring smooth and bug-free gameplay experiences.
- Implemented multiplayer features, including networked gameplay mechanics, to support online and LAN play in FPS games.
- Participated in playtesting and user feedback sessions to identify and address gameplay imbalances and enhance overall player engagement.
Skills
- Unreal Engine 5 Proficiency: Extensive knowledge and experience in working with Unreal Engine 5, including a deep understanding of its features, tools, and capabilities for developing gameplay and user interfaces in FPS games.
- Gameplay Systems Development: Proven ability to design, implement, and optimize core gameplay mechanics, including character controls, weapon systems, AI behaviors, and combat mechanics, to create immersive and engaging first-person shooter experiences.
- UI/UX Design and Implementation: Expertise in designing and implementing user interfaces that enhance player experience, including HUD elements, menus, interactive interfaces, and feedback systems to ensure usability and immersion.
- Collaboration and Communication: Strong teamwork and communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with cross-functional teams of designers, artists, and other programmers to create cohesive and polished FPS games within Unreal Engine 5.
Languages + Technical Proficiency
- C#, C++, Python, Blueprints
- Unreal Engine 4/5
- Unity
- VCS (Git, GitHub)
- Unreal Engine 4/5
- Unity
- VCS (Git, GitHub)
Organizations + Clubs
- Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society
- Student Game Developers Association
- UTD Chess Club
- Student Game Developers Association
- UTD Chess Club
Personal Favorite Games
- Apex Legends
- Titanfall
- Borderlands 3
- Spyro the Dragon
- Ratchet & Clank
- Bioshock
- Doom: Eternal
- Titanfall
- Borderlands 3
- Spyro the Dragon
- Ratchet & Clank
- Bioshock
- Doom: Eternal