Christopher Onorati 
Game Designer
                      
onorati.apps@gmail.com
https://chrisonorati.com



Selected Work Experience


DigiPen Institute of Technology, Jan. 2019 – Present                          Lab Manager/Software Developer


Lab Manager (Jan. 2019 – Present)
o Managed space allocation in 2-3 computer labs seating approx. 750-900 students each semester.
o Provided IT support for software and hardware installations on lab-issued machines.
o Worked with students to ensure proper working conditions for 50+ student game teams each semester.
o Programmed Discord bot to aid in security and quality of life for users in school ran servers (C#). 
Publications Manager (Apr. 2019 – Present)
o Established pipelines for student teams to release games on Steam and Ich.io platforms.
o Managed the review, setup, release, and updating of over 80 games and their store pages.
o Coordinated with students and staff at multiple campuses to promote student game launches.
o Validated all student games to ensure compliance in license and asset usage (50-60 per semester).
Game Department Assistant Lecturer (Jan. 2019 – Present)
o Lectured on fundamental game development techniques such as game editors (class size: 80 – 120).
o Ran labs teaching the fundamentals of Unity, DragonPack Toolkit, and C# (class size: 15 – 25).
o Created guides for students to follow in implementing Spine, FMOD, and Wwise in Unity.
Pre-College Instructor (Summer 2019 - 2022)
o Taught introduction to system design courses for high school students (class size 20-25).
o Taught introduction to programming courses for high school students (class size: 20-25).
o Acted as lead instructor for a high school course on game project development (class size: 50-60).
Basic Level Builder (July 2019 – Aug. 2019)	Team Size: 2
o Implemented tools for a tilemap level editor such as copy, cut, paste, paint, box select, etc. (C#)
o Implemented basic level design tools such as levers, switches, locked doors, teleporters etc. (C#)
DragonPack Toolkit (Jan. 2019 – Aug. 2019)	Team Size: 4
o Designed and implemented modular event-driven system within Unity (C#).
o Wrote a library of 80+ modular components for beginning programmers to use within Unity (C#).
o Integrated XInput to enhance gamepad control within Unity (C#).
o Implemented and designed custom inspectors for ease of use by design students (C#).
o Created games for students to use for learning audio implementation in Unity and FMOD (C#)


The Rat Zone LLC, Nov. 2022 – Present                                                       Game Developer/Co-Founder


Sender (PC, Shipping on Steam and Itch.io Summer 2023)	Team Size: 3
o Crafted core narrative elements for a short single-player horror game.
o Implemented majority of gameplay effects, and UI (C#).
o Created editor tools to simplify environment pipeline (C#).
o Designed and implemented content needed for full gameplay loop (levels, mechanics, and events).
o Implemented platform-specific APIs, such as Steamworks (C#).


Tripmine Studios (Valve Affiliated), May 2016 – Present        Level Designer/Gameplay Programmer


Operation Black Mesa (PC/Mac/Linux, Unreleased)	Team Size: 23
o Acted as a co-producer for project development to maintain team coordination.
o Created community Discord server for developers to interact with fans in a controlled environment.
o Designed first-person shooter levels and environments using the Hammer World Editor.
o Worked with art and audio teams to create assets needed for the entire game and individual levels.
o Ran playtests testing various mechanics, systems, levels, and weapons with written reports to full team.
o Implemented AI for animals, aliens, robots, and vehicles of varying abilities and intelligence (C++).
o Implemented weapons and minor game entities using the Source Engine (C++).
Guard Duty (PC/Mac/Linux, Unreleased)	Team Size: 23
o Implemented AI for animals, aliens, robots, and vehicles of varying abilities and intelligence (C++).
o Implemented weapons and minor game entities using the Source Engine (C++).



Selected Skills

Game Design
o Level Design
o Puzzle Design
o World Building
o Gameplay Programming
o Systems Integration
o Playtest Analysis
o UI/UX Design


Technical/Programming
o C/C++
o C#
o Unity Engine
o Source Engine
o Source Control (Git, SVN)
o GameMaker (familiar)
o Unreal 4 (familiar)


Production/Misc.
o Conflict Resolution
o Milestone Scheduling
o Leading Presentations
o Certification Testing
o Event Planning
o Interdisciplinary Communication


Honors and Awards


DigiPen Institute of Technology (Staff)
	?	Staff of the Year	(DigiPen Student Body, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Nominated Spring 2022)
DigiPen Institute of Technology (Student)
	?	Commencement Speaker	(DigiPen Staff and Faculty, Spring 2019)
	?	Student of the Year 2018	(DigiPen Student Affairs, 2018)
	?	MJ Quigley for Excellence in Game Contributions	(DigiPen GDSP Faculty, 2017)
	?	Dean’s List for Academic Excellence	(DigiPen Administration, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Fall 2017)
Prism Studios
	?	Best Fan Creation for Portal Stories: Mel 	(The Game Awards, 2015)
	?	Editor’s Choice Mod of the Year for Portal Stories: Mel	(ModDb, 2015)
	?	Player’s Choice Mod of the Year 10th place for Portal Stories: Mel	(ModDb, 2015)
Redacted (Student Team)
	?	DigiPen PAX Arcade Showcase for Utomah	(DigiPen PAX Committee, 2017)
	?	Entered for the 2018 Independent Game Festival Awards for Utomah	(DigiPen GDSP Faculty, 2017)
	?	Best Technology, Graphics, Physics, and Sound Design for Utomah	(DigiPen Peer Commendations, 2017)
	?	Game of the Year Runner up for Utomah	(DigiPen Peer Commendation, 2017)
	?	Best Sophomore Game for Utomah	(DigiPen Peer Commendation, 2017)
Drudgery Entertainment (Student Team)
	?	DigiPen PAX Arcade Showcase for Fuzor	(DigiPen PAX Committee, 2015)


Selected Student Projects


REDACTED, Nov. 2016 – Apr. 2018                                                                                     Level Designer


Outlier (PC, Shipped April 2018)	Team Size: 19
o Designed circuit-based puzzles and environments (Unreal Engine 4 & Custom Editor).
o Ran playtests in order to find problems in design as well as bugs in the product.
o Communicated with art and audio teams regarding the completion of assets needed for game segments.
Utomah (PC, Shipped April 2017, Shipped on Steam and Itch.io October 2022)	Team Size: 11
o Designed linear platforming levels and environments (Custom Editor).
o Ran playtests in order to find problems in design as well as bugs in the product.
o Programmed gameplay elements and mechanics (C++ and C#).


Drudgery Entertainment, Dec. 2014 – Nov. 2016                                           Game Designer/Producer


       Fuzor (PC, Shipped April 2015)	Team Size: 4
o Designed linear levels and combat arenas supporting up to four players (Zero Engine).
o Ran playtests in order to find, document, and report bugs to appropriate team members.
o Implemented player weapons, class abilities, and enemy AI (ZilchScript).


Education

DigiPen Institute of Technology				                                        Graduated: December 2018
Bachelor of Arts in Game Design