Nicholas Mercadante

A “Gen Z-er” with a strong social conscience and an even stronger work ethic. Understands the meaning of hard work as well as teamwork. Able to bring strong coding experience to classified projects and ensure tight deadlines are met. Capable of working with highly professional teams of software engineers writing code and creating User Interface systems for complex and classified military applications. Driven to continuously work to sharpen and improve on game design and development skills acquired while earning a BS in Game Design and Development from Rochester Institute of Technology. Successfully launched the independent game “Space Crab vs. AI” in 2023 with a team of friends. Always seeking ways to “do good” with gaming. Routinely hosting charity “fundraising streams” raising thousands of dollars for organizations that work to provide clean water to impoverished communities and to fund humanitarian aid efforts. Looking forward to joining a team of Game Engine Programmers working on exciting projects for next-generation consoles.

• Space Crab VS AI, AGK Script, Git, https://github.com/johnhoban42/SpaceCrabVS, Adapted to limited capabilities of smaller scripting framework while maintaining best code practices. Roughed out per-character AI logic based on their unique abilities/movement. Playtested logic with peers and tweaked values based on feedback to suit multiple difficulty levels.
• Project Overlord, C++, Unreal Engine 5, Blueprints, Game Design, Git, https://github.com/dantayy/Overlord, Solo project to create a gunship rail-shooter game and learn the features of the new Unreal Engine. Planned scope of development to match goals and organized tasks to streamline development. Designed robust classes using key design patterns to construct core gameplay loop & build advanced combat/AI systems on top of. Weaved custom C++ classes made for core components in with Unreal’s Blueprint system to optimize development time and achieve desired playable results quickly.
• Sleep Patrol Alpha Level Design, Level Design, Git, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sleep-patrol-alpha/id1547088529, Worked with a team to design the second level for a side-scrolling auto-running platformer to ship on iOS/Android platforms. Iterated on level layouts and tested in AppGameKit with project leads to assure quality.
• Sonagraphic, Unreal Engine 4, Blueprints, Git, https://github.com/dantayy/Sonagraphic, Solo developed a rhythm-based twin-stick shooter proof of concept. Researched audio analysis tools and techniques to determine best practices to incorporate rhythm-based actions. Analyzed dynamic audio input with Unreal Blueprints to affect gameplay.

• C++
• C#
• Python
• Unreal Engine 5
• Unity
• Maya
• Level Design
• Qt
• Node.js
• JavaScript
• HTML/CSS
• Bootstrap

I have a passion for the great outdoors and am fortunate to live not far from the beautiful Adirondak mountains. I enjoy taking my kayak to a beautiful lake in the mountains every chance I get.