Mark Ryan Lindemulder

DriftLight

I worked as a technical designer on my capstone project at FIEA, DriftLight. This 2D platform is based around a gravity shifting mechanic that encourages fast paced action platforming. I created gameplay systems in the player character controller, the camera controller, and environmental mechanics.

I wrote custom movement code for the aerial control of the player character. Because a majority of the gameplay takes place in the air, making sure the feeling of that movement was satisfying was the main goal. To accomplish the feeling we desired we used a mixture of velocity calculations and defined velocity curves. Air resistance calculations allowed for natural movement with a velocity changing on mathematical consistency. It didn’t provide the level of control needed by the high speed platforming design and so for that, we used curves.

The heavy lifting of aerial movement is done by the velocity curves. These easy to edit curves allow designers to define the velocity of the player over time on their vertical axis. This level of control played a big part in the satisfying jumping, falling, and sliding the player can do to navigate the game. Defining different curved for various situations adds a level of depth to mastering the platforming of DriftLight.

High speed platforming requires a quality camera system to give the player all the information they need to dash through the level. For DriftLight, I created a camera controller that could switch efficiently between dynamic and static. To accomplish this, I provided tools to the level designers to easy hook into the camera system and change values as the player moved through the environment.

Close Window

Delirium

I acted as project lead for this Google Cardboard Virtual Reality project. Working in partnership with the Veteran’s Health Administration and doctors from the University of Florida, my team of 12 created a mobile VR experience. The project was developed over 4 months as a proof of concept prototype. The goal of the 2 minute demo was to be distributed across VA hospitals in order to train doctors, nurses, and other medical staff in the experience of a patient experiencing delirium.

As team lead, my responsibilities were split between management and presenting the project to various interested parties. For management, I used agile methodology with 2 week sprints. Frequent iteration and testing with our subject matter experts helped guide the focus of the project. By working in sprints, we were able to quickly adjust to feedback.

Because of my technical skills, I also took responsibility for handling integration and builds of the project. I handled any issues that occurred when bringing together different sections of code, art assets, and scenes into the project. After integrating all aspects of the project, I created builds for web, Android, and iOS.

Over the course of the project, I gave monthly presentations on the status of the project. In these presentations, I displayed the progress of the project and went over the processes being used to accomplish our goals. In addition to these status updates, I also presented to doctors and executives in the VA. These presentations were done to show the potential of the project and secure funding for future development.

You can find the demo and learn more about the project here:

https://vadelirium.wixsite.com/home

Close Window

Limbitless VR

Limbitless was an exploration of how virtual reality could be used in controlling a body that is distinctly non-human. The game sets the player as a monster with the ability to replace their arms. With 4 unique arms to choose from, designing the controls for each was a special challenge.

As the lead programmer on the project, I worked closely with the design team to create the actions for the different arms and the ways the player would control them. The stretching tentacle arm was my personal favorite. I enjoyed creating a limb that had abilities far beyond the player's physical arm, but still made the player feel as though they were controlling their own body.

Close Window

Chess 2 - Game of the Year Edition

Chess 2 is the answer to the centuries old question, "What if chess had mod support?". While some may call Chess the perfect game, I disagree. But now with added Fog of War, Vampires, and customizable hats, it finally is... perfect.

Chess Two is currently in development with a public demo available at www.chess2GOTYE.com. The game includes both singleplayer and online multiplayer modes. It is being devoped using a full Javascript stack, with a React based front end and Node based server. Electron is used to provide an executable for Windows and Linux systems. I am developing the game on my own with the goal of providing the tools to support a robust modding community.

Close Window

Food Groups

Food Groups is a proof of concept web and mobile app for helping groups decide on where to go out to eat. I created the prototype over two weeks using the ionic and Angular JavaScript frameworks. Using a PHP/SQL backend, the application gathers the preferences of users to determine the best option for the group as a whole. This is decided using an instant runoff voting system.

Close Window

The Last Penguin

The Last Penguin is a rapid prototype build with a team of 5 developers. Using two joysticks, the player controls the jetskis of a water skiing penguin. Through carefull movement, the player can grab attacking orcas to shoot them back at each other. I developed the movement and level loading systems for this game.

Close Window

Guns & Lying

Guns and Lying is a fun, casual Tabletop RPG to match the feel of your favorite espionage and heist films. Talk your way into secret bases, shoot your way past evil robots, or solve international mysteries. The rules keep the mechanics simple and easy to learn so that you can focus on the storytelling.

To recieve a preview copy of the ruleset or play a session, email me at Games@Funqualified.com

Close Window

FUN APP

App.funqualified.com contains a number of projects I have developed utilizing web technologies. These projects include games, social activities, and community building web applications.

You can find all the active funqualified projects at app.Funqualified.com

Close Window