Shadi Muklashy

Game Development Cross-Platform UI Engineering Frameworks Data-Driven Modular Components Unreal Engine UMG Blueprints Unity UI Toolkit UGUI C#

I'm a game developer with 15+ years in the industry and a focus in UI engineering. My work has spanned the range from AA/AAA to fully-independent, self-published cross-platform indie titles. As a lifelong musician and lover of sound design, I have often worn many hats on dev teams, but my specialty is decoupled, clean, data- and event-driven, modular UI engineering.

Education

Bachelor's Degree, Computer Science
University of California, Santa Barbara
1998 - 2002

Experience

Senior UI/UX Engineer
Heart Machine
March 2023 - Present

Project: Hyper Light Breaker, an open-world, procedurally-generated roguelike
Unreal Engine 4, UMG, Blueprints, Common UI
Built the UI for all user-facing frontend interactions (out-of-game, dialogs, modals, menus, helpers, localization, preferences, inventory screens, title screens, etc)
Built the event-driven, decoupled, in-game UI and HUD (player info, map+radar, pause screens, queued notifications, gear, stats, etc)
Ensured cross-platform certification compliance (PC, Steam Deck)
Provided some additional UI support for Possessor(s) on its final path towards gold master

Senior UI Engineer
Player First Games / Warner Bros.
November 2019 - February 2023

Project: MultiVersus, a free-to-play platform fighter with Warner Bros. characters
Unreal Engine 4, UMG, Blueprints, pre-Common UI
Built the architecture and systems of the UI frameworks for all user-facing frontend interactions (out-of-game, dialogs, modals, menus, helpers, blueprint interfaces, focus context management, input controls, virtual analog cursor)
Built the event-driven, decoupled, in-game UI and HUD
Ensured framework interactions support all devices and platforms, and pass certifications
Built frontend interfaces that used the frameworks according to UX design specs
Extended the UI frameworks to support engineers, including designers' needs for gameplay-related features

Examples

Game Developer, Founder
Sombr Studio
June 2014 - Present

Unity, C#, UGUI
Solo-developed Invisigun Reloaded, the first published title under Sombr Studio
Handled all programming, netcode, sound design, and game art
Handled cross-platform porting, localization sub-contracting and integration, certification, publishing, and marketing (Steam, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Sony PS4)
Successfully Kickstarted and exhibited at game conventions (PAX, SXSW, EVO) leading up to launch

Examples

User Interface Designer & Engineer, Sound Designer
Adhesive Games / Meteor Entertainment
October 2011 - June 2014

Project: Hawken, a free-to-play multiplayer mech combat game
Unreal Engine 3, Scaleform, ActionScript 3
Designed and developed the complete in-game UI experience, including the cockpit panels, HUD, maps, and notifications using Flash/ScaleForm and ActionScript 3
Sound designed and integrated a vast array of immersive audio events including weapon fire, weapon and mech transformations, level ambiences/soundscapes, and UI interactions
Co-composed the complete original soundtrack
Provided graphic design for in-game and UI elements, as well the company logos for Adhesive Games and Meteor Entertainment

Examples

iOS Developer
shadiradio
February 2009 - January 2014

Designed & developed several games and productivity applications for iOS

Ruby on Rails Developer
Gallery Nucleus
August 2006 - October 2011

Designed, developed and maintained a coupled-pair of database-driven Ruby on Rails applications (Core and Web) that form the heart of the company's operations
Developed Core: an AJAX backend website featuring full inventory control, customer-relations- management, event scheduling, contract management, content publishing, finance/payment tracking, robust reporting and an in-store point-of-sales system used by all employees
Developed the customer-facing high-traffic website showcasing all events, artists and a large database (10,000+) of original artwork, art merchandise, and products for sale
Authored the entire codebase of Ruby on Rails development and server management/maintenance stack (Nginx + Phusion Passenger, Ruby Gems)

Frontend Designer & Developer
AppFolio, Inc.
2007 - 2009

Created web designs, mockups, flash and related assets for the online property-management app
Developed and tested approved frontend designs in Ruby on Rails, Javascript, and CSS

Art Director, Print Layout Designer, Ruby on Rails Developer
Kotori Magazine
2005 - 2008

Managed visual, layout direction, and aesthetic focus of music/art/politcs/culture print magazine
Developed brand identity and cohesive artistic vision across print and web.
Designed and laid-out 18 issues (80+ pages each) for 20,000+ circulation print runs
Designed, developed and maintained the magazine's official Ruby on Rails-based website, showcasing article previews, news, and rich media

Senior User Interface Designer
Citrix Systems
2002 - 2007

Created web designs, mockups, flash, UX flows, requirement reviews, branding identity and related assets for the high-traffic corporate and product sites
Produced a high volume of quality graphics, dynamic flash files with dynamic variables and scripting, flowcharts, and requirement specifications
Designed interfaces for award-winning remote-access software (GoToAssist, GoToMyPC, and GoToMeeting) with a primary focus on usability.
Lead designer for GoToAssist and GoToMyPC
Researched modern, progressive usability standards and concepts
Conducted and recorded scripted and open usability studies with existing customers to make necessary interface/flow improvements across all products
Worked under strict deadlines with leads from all divisions in the company: marketing, sales, customer care, engineering, project managers and operations

Music & Audio Producer, Partner
Paper Sound
2011 - Present

Composition, arrangement, tracking, sound design, producing, mixing, mastering
Original soundtracks for games, film, and commercials
Projects include: Invisigun Reloaded (PC, PS4, Switch, iOS) - Music, Hasbro (iOS) - Music, Last Cannon: (iOS) - Music, Sound, Beast Boxing: (iOS) - Music, Infrared5: (iOS, web) - Music, Hawken: (PC, PS4) - Music, Sound, Brainsss: (iOS) - Music, Silent Water: (Film) - Mixing, Mastering, Bintu Run (iOS/Android) - Music, Burst Fire (PC) - Music, Sound

Examples

Discography