Kenechukwu Umelo
Technical Gameplay Designer
ABOUT ME
I am a Technical Game Designer with a Bachelor's in Game Design and Development.
I specialize in crafting gameplay systems, prototyping mechanics, and implementing engaging AI. I strongly focus on providing gameplay features for players or NPCs through mechanics, abilities, and progression. This constantly fuels me to strengthen my skills with different game engines and programming languages to be a strong reliable liaison between design and engineering.
Most of my projects and creativity are heavily influenced by some of my favorite video games growing up and modern games today. I have been blessed with opportunities to showcase most of my work at events and hackathons.
If there is one thing I learned about myself in this journey, it is that this industry always pushes me to be better and expand my perspectives across different game design and engineering roles. I will always remain committed to creating new immersive cutting edge experiences for players to enjoy.
Beyond game development, I have natural hobbies in gaming, cooking/baking, hitting the gym, visiting eSports bars, and watching anime.
I am conversational about professional wrestling, virtual reality, classic PS2 games, the fight game community, Japanese music, K-pop, and reminiscing about TV and cartoons back in the 2000s.
Design Skills:
Systems Design
Mechanics Design
AI Design
Rapid Prototyping
Scripting with C# and Blueprints
Iterating and Playtesting
Technical Documentation
Game Analysis
Tools/Software:
Currently Playing
When I was 8 years old, I remember when my father first brought home a copy of Jak 2 for PlayStation 2. The game's narrative, open world, characters, and combat gameplay immediately brought me into the realm of game design. I spent hours playing to the point where I was noting out the number of pros and cons of the game such as the difficulty increase, lack of checkpoints, minigames, Dark Jak abilities, timed missions, and fights with the Krimzon Guards/Metal Heads. It was the first time the game discovered how compelling gameplay, storytelling, and NPC interactions can play out in video games for player engagement. I vowed to deliver the same experience in any project I work on.
So if I am ever asked what my favorite game is?
Jak 2 will always be the answer!
