Summary:

I interned at Simcoach Games, a game studio that creates transformational learning games for their local Pittsburgh clients. During my internship, I developed 2 mobile games: “Reinforcers” and “JobPro: Get Hired!”.

For gameplay videos, scroll to the bottom!

I was a gameplay engineer and worked closely with a producer, game designer and an artist to meet the goals of our two local clients:

1. “Reinforcers” client:
   • Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP) & Laborers’ District Council of Western Pennsylvania
   • Goal - Use the game to raise awareness of available construction jobs and increase application rates
2. “JobPro: Get Hired!” client:
   • The Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board (rebranded to Partner4Work)
   • Goal - Teach proper interview behavior to the unemployed or struggling youth

Scope:

15 weeks | 4 person team | C#, Unity

My Contributions:

1. Developed algorithms to detect different touch gestures such as swiping, circling, tapping, etc.
2. Parsed and read Excel & Google Spreadsheet files (.CSV, .TSV) so game designers can easily modify content outside of scripts
3. Adapted the games for both web and mobile platforms
4. Incorporated an in-game replay, review and evaluation system for player performance
5. Collaborated daily with a lead artist, game designer, producer, and clients

Results:

Published both games on Apple and Android stores:

• Reinforcers --> Android | Apple
• JobPro: Get Hired! --> Android | Apple

Both games have positively influenced Pittsburgh’s communities

1. Reinforcers
   • I handed off Reinforcers to our client and they loved it! It is now a part of their apprenticeship program’s mini-games which can be found here
   • The game has helped improve our client’s construction job application rates and 100s of players have earned certificates since June of this year
2. JobPro: Get Hired
   • The Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board released the game to the public as part of a suite of games
   • Community-based organizations now use it to prepare troubled teens and young adults for jobs

Reinforcers

Reinforcers is a mobile game that recognizes various touch gestures to simulate rebar knot tying. Players must work quickly and accurately to get high scores!

JobPro: Get Hired

JobPro: Get Hired is a mobile game that uses touch gestures to teach proper interview behavior. Players must use gestures to address bad habits that occur throughout the interview and also answer questions appropriately.