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Goran Lalić
Verified Expert in Engineering
Unity Developer
Belgrade, Serbia
Toptal member since April 17, 2016
Bio
Goran was a hobbyist indie game developer on the side for a decade and liked it so much that he pursued a career in it. From junior member of a startup to chief architect in a large company, Goran has a variety of experience in game and web development. He is comfortable at all stages of development (design, implementation, optimization, and integration of cutting edge advanced graphics) and a variety of platforms (2D/3D, desktop, web, mobile).
Portfolio
Arkio
C#, Unity, Oculus, Virtual Reality (VR), 3D Graphics, 3D Math...
GRX Immersive Labs (via Toptal)
.NET, REST APIs, Azure, C#, Unity3D, Photon Unity Networking (PUN)...
Imperial College London
Unity3D, Virtual Reality (VR), Multiplayer, Networking, Agora, Voice Chat...
Experience
- Rendering Pipelines - 12 years
- Unity3D - 11 years
- Shaders - 10 years
- C# - 9 years
- 3D Math - 8 years
- JavaScript - 6 years
- Computer Graphics - 6 years
- Virtual Reality (VR) - 5 years
Preferred Environment
Git, Visual Studio, Windows
The most amazing...
...thing I've coded was my own 3D engine in C++ and DirectX.
Work Experience
Real-time VR Geometry Modeling Engineer
2023 - PRESENT
Arkio
- Implemented advanced AR and Passthrough capabilities into the VR application on Oculus Quest devices.
- Implemented Anchors and Shared Anchors, allowing for real-world alignment between the real world and the virtual architectural model.
- Refactored the codebase and upgraded to the latest APIs.
- Implemented the Application SpaceWarp capability, almost doubling the graphical capabilities of the application.
- Migrated a complex and large Unity codebase to Universal Render Pipeline in Unity, including a complete rewrite of many complex shaders.
- Optimized and engineered work on implementing new features.
Technologies: C#, Unity, Oculus, Virtual Reality (VR), 3D Graphics, 3D Math, Extended Reality (XR)
.NET Full-stack Engineer
2021 - 2022
GRX Immersive Labs (via Toptal)
- Stabilized and refactored a large preexisting codebase to ease development and increase performance.
- Designed a rollback-capable multiplayer system to fix the application's network code.
- Created the process of automated cloud rendering of audio files.
Technologies: .NET, REST APIs, Azure, C#, Unity3D, Photon Unity Networking (PUN), Photon Server, GitHub, APIs
Contractor
2020 - 2021
Imperial College London
- Refactored a large existing codebase of a remote learning platform to conform to modern software architecture practices. This included setting up the new architecture of the application and ensuring that it conforms to an existing back end.
- Integrated Agora middleware for voice and video communication and adapted it to a pre-existing "classroom and workgroup" system.
- Implemented a system for saving and loading curriculum "activity packages," which entailed designing a solution for runtime loading of code assemblies and assets from a 3rd-party custom format.
- Implemented a feature of a real-time remote shared whiteboard, which allowed staff and students to draw lines, write text, and paste images onto a virtual whiteboard during lectures with minimal bandwidth.
- Redesigned and recoded the Canvas-based UI of the application completely, including adding visual design, coding, adaptation to various resolutions (responsive design), and layout. This includes advanced techniques such as custom data binding code.
- Helped implement and test back-end features to work with the front end and share messages during live sessions.
- Made the application work with virtual reality, including custom VR-only interactions and tools.
Technologies: Unity3D, Virtual Reality (VR), Multiplayer, Networking, Agora, Voice Chat, Video Chat, Education, Shaders
Contractor
2019 - 2020
Tilden
- Created a full architecture for a Unity-based virtual reality browser based on an existing back end.
- Implemented multiple browser plugins and middlewares.
- Created a complex animated navigation system according to specifications and on time.
- Managed a growing and changing design document with agile development practices.
- Created multiple tools and workflows to facilitate work on the virtual browser.
- Ported the virtual browser from a desktop VR platform to the Oculus Quest.
- Implemented advanced graphical effects and shaders on demand.
Technologies: Virtual Reality (VR), Unity3D, C#, Shaders, Computer Graphics
Developer
2018 - 2019
Strypes
- Maintained and expanded a premium PoS customization tool for a large retail client.
- Helped debug and manage the back end of a said customization tool.
- Created in-house tooling to facilitate configuring and managing the tool.
- Ported the customization tool from a Unity3D codebase to a TypeScript and Redux codebase with WebGL.
- Implemented custom shader pipelines in both WebGL and Unity3D.
- Diagnosed and solved multiple critical performance and crash issues of the deployed app on iOS hardware.
Technologies: Babylon.js, WebGL, Unity3D
Lead Game Developer
2016 - 2017
Salpertons
- Formed and led a team of artists and coders in designing and developing two high-profile mobile games.
- Updated and optimized two smaller games made for the company by a subcontractor.
- Performed job interviews, technical evaluations of potential developers, and performance evaluations of existing employees.
- Oversaw the work of team juniors, performed code reviews for programmers, and oversaw the integration of assets by technical artists.
- Implemented the game design for the two games, from the concept to device testing and deployment.
- Integrated various 3rd-party APIs for analytics and monetization for mobile games.
- Performed tool programming for the company projects in Unity3D.
- Provided a feasibility study and prototyping for potential AR applications with OpenCV and Unity3D.
- Created an efficient, fast, minimum-footprint library for generating endless sloped procedural 2D and 3D terrain in Unity for an endless runner-type game.
Technologies: OpenCV, C#, Unity3D
Senior Developer
2014 - 2015
VUCX
- Implemented an enterprise-grade CRM solution in Symfony.
- Improved a PHP-based back-end game framework that synchronizes real-time multiplayer sessions via RabbitMQ.
- Coded a custom HTML5 and CSS3 front-end for various commercial websites.
- Implemented an interactive video player in JavaScript for multiple devices with custom hotspot tracking data.
- Engineered and implemented both the front and back end of an ambitious, scalable web app in Symfony.
- Created and deployed a very heavily customized Magento website.
Technologies: Magento, Symfony, JavaScript
Chief Software Architect
2013 - 2014
ABC Design
- Developed and prototyped several innovative website front-end concepts in HTML5 and CSS3.
- Created a 3D framework compatible with all modern browsers using only HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS.
- Led a team in delivering three separate commercial websites on time and to client specification.
- Created an in-house marketing research tool in PHP used by major international corporations.
- Ported a large Flex-based code base onto the front end for mobile platforms using Air.
Technologies: LAMP, JavaScript, C#
Sofware Engineer, CTO
2012 - 2013
Codeion
- Modernized and overhauled a very ambitious wearable and health monitoring web application to specifications.
- Led a team in developing two commercial mobile apps in Air.
- Continuously worked on and upgraded one of the largest webshops with a completely custom Doctrine back end.
- Engineered and implemented an XMPP-based solution with an Erlang back end and cross-browser JavaScript front end to enable user-to-user real-time chat on a large website.
- Created a modern point-of-sale solution for a major hardware retailer using C#, WPF, and MVVM, connecting to a custom back end.
Technologies: XMPP, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), C#, JavaScript, PHP, Flex
Contractor Game Developer
2012 - 2012
Level Bit
- Engineered a modern shooter game for mobile platforms.
- Implemented various algorithms and optimizations to speed up the game and make it palatable to all marketable devices at the time.
- Worked closely on coordinating asset creation with the artists.
- Participated heavily in the game's overall mechanics and gameplay design.
- Deployed and tested the game during development in a wide variety of mobile environments, on both Android and iOS.
Technologies: C#, Unity3D
Game Developer
2011 - 2012
Kokakiki LLC
- Developed various prototypes in Unity3D technology.
- Created and shipped an iOS game to specification and glowing review without prior experience with iOS.
- Created and maintained a library of standardized code for the company.
- Developed an unreleased in-house puzzle game as the sole developer.
- Created a virtual museum exhibit with full 3D walk-throughs.
Technologies: Unity3D
Experience
Panzerwehr 1949
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na530jGHOtIWorked as the sole programmer, game designer, writer, and concept artist for a hardcore pseudo-WW2 spider tank simulator made exclusively for virtual reality headsets. The game was very well received and maintains an active Discord.
Strypes
Worked with a startup to refactor and expand a Unity implementation of apparel and accessories 3D customization tool in Unity and WebGL while spearheading the rewrite into Babylon.js and Redux, using modern software development practices.
Like My Day
A full-stack Symfony app with social networking functions and timed alerts aimed at helping family members of the elderly stay in touch. Made to contract, delivered on time and without bugs/issues.
Cenoteka
A price tracking web application for a consumer rights company, capable of tracking a large number of history items over a long period of time, with a tailor-made back end. The app is scalable and has been very stable over a long period of time.
The Fifth Expedition
http://store.steampowered.com/app/453030A real-time tactics game made in Unity3D and released on Steam. Consulting work and performance/optimization work were the main drives. This was a pro bono engagement. The game, unfortunately, never got released beyond Early Access.
Jane Wilde
A 2D arcade shooter freemium game for iOS and Android. A platformer/shooter by genre, it was developed over six months with me as the main programmer of gameplay, systems, animation, and technical art.
REO Online Store
http://www.reo.de/Multinational website for a major electricity company developed with Magento. This included creating custom Magento components. I was the sole developer for the website's front-end Magento implementation.
MyVitali
https://www.linkedin.com/company/myvitali-ag/Worked closely with a Swiss company to deploy a web client for wearables/biometrics tracking software. I created the entire project in the Adobe Flex framework and maintained it over a 2-year cycle of implementing new features.
Tweens HD
A match-two arcade puzzler with multiple modes. The game was deployed to iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. I was the game's lead programmer, gameplay developer, and systems designer. Additional work done includes game design and optimization.
Gigatron Web Shop
One of the largest computer and appliance retailers in the region. As chief software architect, I oversaw and implemented website engineering, upgrades, maintenance, and more. This includes a mobile app developed in Adobe Flex.
Studio Halvar
http://www.studio-halvar.de/A website for a design company with custom front-end and back-end CMS.
ThyssenKrupp InCar®plus
Interactive video with custom hotspot tracking.
ESE Remote Classroom
A project for the Earth Sciences department of the Imperial College of London—a remote learning software with custom activities that can be created by the staff and which support large groups of students interacting in virtual activities. The project features an advanced workgroup system, custom back ends, and video and audio conferencing facilities.
The software was mentioned in Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/geology-students-did-video-game-fieldwork-during-covid-it-rocked/
The software was mentioned in Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/geology-students-did-video-game-fieldwork-during-covid-it-rocked/
Education
2000 - 2010
Graduate Degree in General Medicine
University of Belgrade - Belgrade, Serbia
Skills
Libraries/APIs
SFML, XNA, DirectX, OpenGL, OpenCV, SDL, Pygame, HTML5 Canvas, Node.js, Babylon.js, WebGL, REST APIs, Photon Server
Tools
3ds Max, Git, Visual Studio 2015, NPM, Visual Studio, Composer, NuGet, Xcode, Agora, GitHub
Languages
C#, TypeScript 3, Dart, HTML5, Python 3, JavaScript, CSS3, ActionScript 3, PHP, CSS
Frameworks
Unity3D, Unity, Photon Unity Networking (PUN), Symfony, Flex, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Redux, Adobe Flex, .NET
Paradigms
Model View Controller (MVC), Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
Platforms
Windows, Magento, Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, LAMP, Android, iOS, Azure, Oculus
Storage
JSON, MySQL
Other
Unity Shaders, HTC Vive, Virtual Reality (VR), Game Design, Game Development, Shaders, Computer Graphics, Strategy Games, Rendering Pipelines, Optimization Algorithms, General Medicine, 3D Math, 2D Games, SVG, XMPP, Graphics, Voice Chat, Multiplayer, Networking, Video Chat, Education, 3D Graphics, APIs, Extended Reality (XR)
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