Simon M.

Hi there! I’m Simon. Governor of Games, Duke of Development, and Unreal Engine and Unity Specialist I help studios, indie developers, and creative teams bring unforgettable games to life with smart AI systems, immersive gameplay, and emotionally engaging design. While I’m new to Upwork, I’m not new to game development. With 20+ years of coding experience and a rare blend of Unreal Engine & Unity mastery + player psychology insight, I craft games that don’t just work, they resonate. 🚀 What I’ve Helped Games Do AI & NPC Systems - Designed advanced Behavior Trees and Blackboards for dynamic NPC combat. - Built responsive sensory systems (EQS, perception, and reactions) for lifelike character behavior. - Created full blueprint-based NPC logic for puzzle and exploration games. Gameplay & Systems Design - Developed prototypes to polished gameplay mechanics in Unreal Engine 5 and Unity. - Structured progression systems to teach mechanics naturally (e.g., The Vault). - Balanced systems that make gameplay rewarding without overwhelming players. Narrative & Player Psychology - Integrated storytelling frameworks rooted in my MSc in Psychology. - Applied cultural and historical insights (Brown University, BA) to world-building. - Crafted emotionally rich experiences like Stellaris, a meditative exploration game. Collaboration & Workflow - Skilled with Jira, Trello, Confluence, Perforce for agile sprint cycles. - Strong background in team leadership, task prioritization, and conflict resolution. - Reliable communication: stand-ups, change logs, and detailed version control updates. 💡 How I Can Help You - Need smarter NPCs? → I’ll design AI that feels alive, strategic, and engaging. - Want to prototype gameplay fast? → I’ll build, test, and refine mechanics in UE5. - Building a story-driven game? → I’ll align mechanics with narrative to keep players hooked. - Struggling with team collaboration? → I’ll plug seamlessly into your process with clear comms. - Looking for atmosphere and immersion? → I’ll design worlds that players feel. ⚙️ My Process - Discovery & Game Concept Alignment - System & AI Design (Blueprints, NPCs, Combat, Behavior Trees) - Iterative Development & Playtesting - Narrative Integration & Player Psychology Layering - Sprint-based Execution with Agile Tools - Delivery + Optimization 🏆 Why Studios Work With Me ✔️ 20+ years coding & systems design ✔️ Unreal Engine 5 and Unity expert with advanced AI focus ✔️ MSc Psychology + BSc Game Design — rare insight into player behavior ✔️ Portfolio across puzzle, exploration, platformer, and atmospheric games ✔️ Fluent in 6 languages, adaptable across cultures and teams ✔️ Independent, organized, and highly collaborative ⸻ 📩 Let’s Connect Ready to build a prototype, AI system, or full game experience? Send me a message here on Upwork, let’s create something players will never forget.