NICK RIVERA
GAME DESIGNER
SHORT SUMMARY
Games have been a cornerstone of my life since my first hand of Go Fish at age four. It's not only a medium for competitive fun, but it's a way to connect...to family, friends, and even like-minded strangers. I have always known I would build a career in Game Design and Production.
My Bachelor of Science degree in Games (May 2023) from the University of Utah has given me a solid foundation to work in the industry. I've been exposed to all aspects of game design and production, collaborated with functional teams, and learned the ins and outs of the gaming industry.
I look forward to joining a vibrant, productive design team!
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science Degree in Games (May 2023)
Department of Entertainment Arts & Engineering
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
WORK EXPERIENCE
Your Average Studio (University of Utah), Salt Lake City, UT
GAMEPLAY DESIGNER, LEVEL DESIGNER, AUDIO COORDINATOR (Sep 2022 – May 2023)
Your Average Bear is a stealth comedy, with over 44,000 downloads on Steam
Planned and created the design for our open word level
Lead the audio team
Designed the main mechanics and game loop
Digital Health Initiative, University of Utah, Salt Lake City Social Media Manager, Nov 2022 - present
Developed an online presence to represent the initiative
Implemented content strategies on social media platforms
Attended fundraiser and other events to generate content
05/30/2022 – 08/01/2022
UNREAL ENGINE TEACHER, University of Utah
Taught week-long UE5 blueprinting classes to middle school and high school students. Classes focused on building games like Side Scrollers, Arcade Classics, and First-Person Shooters.
05/01/2021 – 09/01/2021
GAME TESTING INTERN, Anthos capital
Interns were tasked with playtesting different games on PC, console, mobile, and VR platforms. These playtests would be discussed in meetings with other interns and supervisors, as well as documented into reports and breakdowns for the company to improve.
07/01/2019 – 12/01/2020
MARKETING DESIGN INTERN, Narrow Ledge Publishing
Brainstormed with peers to determine website design, features, and enhancements for publishing company and author. Established author social media strategy and presence, including both technical and engaging content, and monitored/contributed to social media accounts in off-work hours.
SKILLS
Unreal Engine 5, Unity, GB Studio
Maya, ZBrush
Coding: Java, C++, Python, Unreal Engine Blueprints
Adobe Creative Cloud
Media Management
Google Workspace/Office 365
LET'S PLAY!
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR FUTURE WORK AND PARTNERSHIPS