Jo Bloggs - Sheffield Computer Science Graduate

A Sheffield Computer Science graduate's portfolio site.

Portfolio About Me Curriculum Vitae My Course

Derrickman: Pure C++ Project

  • Personal Project: A small retro-inspired game coded completely by me using C++
  • Demonstrates the use of DirectX 11 and my own shaders
  • Includes OO C++ features like polymorphism and inheritance
  • Implemented an analytics system to visualise heatmap data for player deaths

This project involved creating a robust GameObject class hierarchy from scratch, showcasing Object-Oriented Programming principles like polymorphism and inheritance. I implemented a base GameObject class with shared functionality and extended it for specific game elements like the player, enemies, and interactable objects, ensuring efficient and consistent behavior.

I also developed an analytics system to log and visualize player deaths via heatmaps, combining gameplay programming with data-driven insights. This project highlights my ability to design and implement both low-level engine features and high-level gameplay systems in pure C++.

Get A Wiggle On: Unreal C++ Project

  • Group project: Originally a Ludem Dare game which my team continues to develop for 3 months
  • My role involved creating the segmented physics and collision system for the snakes
  • Demonstrates custom Blueprint nodes written in C++ (minimal Blueprints used)
  • The team is working towards releasing the game on Steam

In this project, I designed the segmented physics and collision system that drives the snakes’ dynamic, lifelike movement, tackling the challenges of ensuring stability across linked segments. My work extended Unreal’s capabilities by writing custom Blueprint nodes in C++, allowing the team to streamline gameplay programming while minimizing reliance on traditional Blueprints.

Collaborating in a team environment, I focused on clean, maintainable C++ code that integrates seamlessly with Unreal Engine 5. This project demonstrates my ability to handle complex gameplay mechanics and contribute to a long-term, team-driven development effort aiming for a Steam release.

Maths Buster: Unity C# Project

  • Final Year Individual Project: An educational mathematics game coded completely by me in C#
  • Demonstrates use of Unity and adaptive difficulty algorithms
  • I received an 84% overall mark for individual project work
  • A paper written on the game was presented at the ECGBL conference in Spain

This project explored how adaptive difficulty algorithms could enhance engagement in educational games. I designed a system that dynamically adjusted challenges based on player performance, balancing learning and enjoyment. Beyond development, I analyzed player data to refine mechanics, contributing to a conference paper presented at ECGBL in Spain.

Building the game entirely in Unity and C#, I honed my skills in both gameplay programming and creating meaningful user experiences. This project not only earned academic recognition but also deepened my understanding of integrating educational theory with game design.