Mickey Kawick

Data captured from radar on the ASTOR program, processed in C++ into geolocated images, and used in real-time targeting and overlaying satellite imagery in real time. This was a multi-stage process involving 8 servers, and I built and orchestrated it, making it 232x faster than the original code.

A highly performant game. I used Unity DOTS/ECS, VFX, Shader Graph, particle systems, Ray Visuals, procedural laser animation, and oversaw asset management and art pipelines. I also worked on networking, gameplay, Datadog, Jira, Miro, and formatting tools for the Unity UI toolkit. I handled vehicles/combat implementation, including teams, combat UI, targeting, and health. I built the system architecture, jobs, events, signaling, and dispatching. I also did additional work in DevOps, building the process, deployment, failure tracking and automation, Datadog, Git policy, branching and merging strategy, legal compliance, deployment, user account and login, match making, and clan-forge/multiplayer.

A C++ rendering and networked engine running real-time conflict and networked combat. I worked on graphics, AI, the custom-built UI in C++, networking, file systems, and localization.

The first title in the series, Age of Empires, focused on events in Europe, Africa, and Asia, spanning from the Stone Age to the Iron Age; the expansion game explored the formation and expansion of the Roman Empire.

Handled pipelines and integration with build systems; worked on gameplay and networking; used C++, Java, and C#; and managed a team as a technical director. I worked with multidisciplinary teams and production to create roadmaps, timelines, schedules, deliver on time, and build shippable products. I also evangelized specialized VR/AR techniques and AI. Productivity increased by 9x with zero turnover in 18 months.

I did extensive work in physics and UX. While working on a crawling mechanic similar to crawling along the floor under the smoke of a fire, I perfected the feel of crawling, added a ladder climbing mechanic, and ended up with an Assassin’s Creed and Spider-Man mechanic mixed. In addition, by tweaking the mechanic, we arrived at a fun, intuitive feel that mitigates the nausea normally felt in VR to the point that out of a sampling of about 20 people, not one reported any nausea in the Oculus headset. I also implemented weight mechanics, physics volumes, and 1-1 mechanics.