Hey there, I'm Tristan! 👋
I'm a computer science student at Sheridan College, self-taught game developer, and diehard gamer!
I like building efficient solutions, meticulously tinkering with things, and clean aesthetics, whether it be apps, websites, or games.
I've been gaming since I can remember, and one day, it hit me: why not turn my passion for playing games into creating them? I discovered immense satisfaction in witnessing people enjoy my creations. Receiving positive feedback and realizing that my creations have the power to bring joy to others, combined with the freedom to create whatever I envision, became the ultimate validation of my decision to pursue a career in game development, and even software engineering in general.
Some of my favorite games include Valorant, Star Citizen, Teamfight Tactics, Fortnite, Pokémon, League of Legends, Call of Duty, Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Zenless Zone Zero, The Finals, and Forza.
My main interests are game programming, full-stack, backend, tools and automation, and roles where I get to lead a team or learn from people.
When I'm not at my computer, I'm usually biking, exploring, or working out. I also teach robotics to students aged 6 to 17 part-time.
DEC 2019 — PRESENT
FOUNDER & SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Tempest Interactive
Led a 20-member global team to successfully ship "Palm Ridge Beta" on Roblox in Q4 2021 and amass millions of plays. My role included developing gameplay systems such as data storage, matchmaking, vehicle physics, and payment systems. I also prioritized user experience by designing responsive UI/UX. Additionally, I ensured cross-platform compatibility and optimized game performance through memory analysis and frame rate improvements. I fostered a dynamic work culture within our cross-functional team.
JAN 2024 — AUG 2024
SOFTWARE ENGINEER INTERN
SKYHiDEV
Developed features for a mobile application using React Native, focusing on user authentication and dashboard systems. Identified and documented 20+ critical bugs during testing, enhancing overall app stability and user experience. Contributed to the software development life cycle by translating Functional Requirement Documents (FRD) into code.
JUN 2017 — PRESENT
LEAD ROBOTICS INSTRUCTOR
XM Robotics
Assisted students with troubleshooting robot builds and programming during class sessions to ensure successful completion of projects. Provided individual instruction to students who needed additional guidance to understand complex ideas. Encouraged student participation in robotics competitions by providing mentorship throughout the process. Collaborated with other instructors on curriculum design, classroom management techniques and best practices for teaching Robotics Engineering.
An open-source web application that provides game info, analytics, and statistics for Zenless Zone Zero (HoYoverse). Built with Next.js and Tailwind CSS, and deployed with Cloudflare Pages. The importer works by sending the game folder's log file to a HoYoverse endpoint to translate it into usable data, then sends it to a PostgreSQL database, powered by Supabase. Imported game data gets analyzed and presented to our users via meaningful visualizations.
A maze-solver game where you compete against a fully animated computer opponent to solve mazes efficiently and quickly. Inspired by Wordle, created with JavaScript, Node.js, and Express, and deployed with Cloudflare Pages. Generates dynamic mazes with multiple solutions by using a modified recursive DFS algorithm. Calculates scoring by comparing the users path to the shortest path generated with the A* pathfinding algorithm. Saves leaderboard data to an Express server.
Debut project developed with my studio, Tempest Interactive. Successfully launched on Roblox in 2021, amassing 4.5M+ visits, 1.8M+ unique players, and a 92% user satisfaction rating, generating $120000+ USD in 2022. Our vehicle physics system, developed over hundreds of hours, was critically acclaimed by millions of players and recognized by Roblox, who featured us on their social media accounts as one of the best on the platform. Immersive environments, visual aesthetics, and functionality all came together to create a polished gaming experience.
A website for an online bookstore that lets users create and login to an account, search for a book, and view the details of the book. Utilizes localStorage which acts as a mock database that stores login info on the users browser.
A simple Java application that provides a user-friendly interface for bank customers to manage their account transactions. The application allows users to register, login, and perform transactions such as deposit and withdraw.
A console-based Java application where multiple users can play a game of Crazy Eights with eachother. Acceptance Criteria and User Stories were created to simulate a development environment.