Aaron Edwards
LEVEL DESIGNER
With years of experience in AAA, indie, and mobile games as both a designer and artist
Released titles
ROCKSTAR GAMES
SEGA Hardlight
SockMonkey Studios
(Now behaviour interactive north)
Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
Worked as a technical content artist Performing a variety of tasks such as - Collison, Model Optimisation, Lods, Terrain work - Inserting templates into terrain, painting terrain textures, road placement. Prop placement, extensive game testing and fixing bugsCredited for terrain
SONIC DREAM TEAM(2023)
Played an integral role in the development of levels for the game. Made multiple acts across many zones, and different missions. Set up many prefabs / level design kit bits for other designers to use.Collaborated with artists to come up with level layout solutions for further optimization without sacrificing the visual quality. Worked with engineers to develop tools for level building. Helped other designers with level building so levels and use of kit parts were consistent.
COCOmelon: play with JJ(2022)
Worked as a designer developing various minigames using unreal blueprints, with support for controller and touch screen. Also helped with level layout of the house.Setup cinematics for gameplay intros, character animation blueprints, shaders, and did some of the art for the lounge early on in the project
+ more unannounced projects
5+ years experience in programs
Personal projects
Crystal Crypt
A rogue-lite first person action game with elements inspired by hades, made in UnityFor this project I wanted to learn how to make enemies with state machines and different attacks, and a player custom build / ability system using scriptable objects. Where a play could choose different buffs for their character and have it effect their playstyleI also created a boss fight at the end with inspiration from souls games / final fantasy 14, where the attacks are clearly telegraphed and attacks can be parriedAll the assets / anims were made by myself, apart from most the sound / music and some vfx
First person paladin RPG prototype - PIOUS
A WIP project ive been working on in Unity, trying to make a satisfying and fun combat system in first person. with inspiration from the souls games and sekiro, and an old school dark retro art style
Lily Leap!
A free app I made for the google play store, using unity
I designed this game with simplicity in mind by using a single action to move. A casual game which can be played at any time for a few minutes or a longer sessionI created this as I wanted to go through the entire process of releasing an app, and learn more about the other side of game design like marketing, copyright, and publishingAll assets are made by myself.
FPS level (unreal 3)
An FPS level I designed using the unreal development kit. I did the design and all the art for this level (minus the trees)The goal of this was to put put both my skills to the test in design and art, and combine them. I wanted to create an interesting FPS level with lots of verticality, different routes, a main "hot zone" and some areas to the side which weren't as busy.I learned a lot about modularity for designing fast levels, and taking into account things like cover and jump height when designing a level, as too much cover can stop the overall flow of a game.
Industry Experience
Employment
SEGA Hardlight - EXPERIENCED LEVEL DESIGNER: AUGUST 2022 - CURRENT
Worked on sonic dream team for apple arcade. Played an integral role in the development of levels for the game. Made multiple acts across many zones, and different missions. Set up many prefabs / level design kit bits for other designers to use.Collaborated with artists to come up with level layout solutions for further optimization without sacrificing the visual quality.Worked with engineers to develop tools for level building. Helped other designers with level building so levels and use of kit parts were consistent.
Sock Monkey Studios - Games Designer: May 2021 - July 2022
Worked in Unreal Engine, making a game for the Nintendo switch. Made lots of mini games using the blueprints system. Worked closely with artists and programmers to get systems setup such as character reactions or music syncing with gameplay, and helping junior designers with feedback on both design and blueprint setup. Also made prototypes creating both art and scripting for gameplay in unity
Sock Monkey Studios -Games Artist: June 2020 - May 2021
Worked on various projects doing stylised / realistic art and some design. Including studio owned and external client projects.
Rockstar Games Leeds - technical content artist (Dec 2017 - June 2020)
Taking structures from art blockout to final pass, gameplay passes - making sure game flow isn't interrupted, creating shortcuts or points of interest.
Rockstar Games Leeds - Art: Development assistant (April 2016 - Dec 2017)
Performing a variety of tasks such as - Collison, Model Optimisation, Lods, Terrain work - Inserting templates into terrain, painting terrain textures, road placement. Prop placement, extensive game testing and fixing bugs
About me
I am an experienced game developer, with a keen interest in fun first, no downtime games. I love to explore different aspects of game development and broaden my skill set. I have been making games in my spare time for a years now, from small weekend game jams, to larger projects involving fun and engaging combat.I'm into all kinds of game genres, on many different consoles, with a keen interest in rogue-lites.My hobbies include - Martial arts, cooking, hiking, swimming, discovering new niche games, and taking part in game jams.