Mike Stracke | About

About Me

I am a skilled and experienced Game Developer and Technical Artist with over 4 years of industry expertise in game development. My proficiency encompasses technical art, level design, game narrative development, effects design and implementation, tools development, and game design. Through my current role, I have gained the confidence and drive to expand my skills, learning from the talented colleagues around me. My passion lies in creating captivating games.

Currently based in Sydney, Australia, I collaborate with a diverse team of Software Developers, Artists, Game Designers, and Technical Artists. I graduated from Swinburne's Games and Interactivity course, gaining valuable experience as a design generalist, focusing on narrative and level design. I am eager to secure a position in a game development environment where I can further enhance my skills while learning from experienced professionals across various disciplines.

Skills

Technical

Game Engines
Including: Unity3D, Unreal Engine, CryEngine
3D Software
Including: Autodesk Maya , Blender, Autodesk 3ds Max
Video Editing & Effects
Including: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve
2D Animation
Including: Spine
Programming Languages
Including: C#, Unreal Blueprints, C++, ExtendScript
Web Development
Including: HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, WordPress


Game Development

Game content design and documentation
Content implementation and iteration
Game mechanic design
Level design
Interactive narrative
Creative writing


General

Collaboration and teamwork
Communication
Ability to work within preset design
Functional understanding of other disciplines
Interest in continued learning regarding game development
Time management
Strong work ethic
Accountability with tasks
Collaborative workflow development
Prioritization of changing tasks
Management and training of new employees

Interests

In addition to enjoying games for both entertainment and educational purposes, my interests extend to various creative endeavors within, and outside of, the gaming industry. I actively write and design maps as part of my ongoing development of a dynamic fantasy world. Engaging in tabletop roleplaying games allows me to exercise my passion for storytelling and narrative crafting. Furthermore, I have taken on the challenge of creating homebrew content for these games, showcasing my design abilities within the framework of established game systems.

To further expand my skills and expertise, I have also pursued personal projects using Unity 3D and Unreal game engines. These projects have allowed me to delve into the world of game development, honing my technical skills and gaining hands-on experience within these tools. Additionally, I have written game design documents for both digital games and physical board games, utilizing my knowledge of mechanics, systems, and player experience to create engaging game experiences.

By actively participating in these personal projects, I continually challenge myself to explore new technologies, develop innovative ideas, and refine my skills as a versatile Game Designer and Tech Artist. These pursuits not only fuel my creativity and curiosity but also showcase my dedication to pushing the boundaries of game design and delivering compelling experiences to players.