Game designer and developer with hands-on experience across game design, level design, and QA testing. Proficient in Unreal Engine 5 (Blueprints) and Unity with C#, and building C++ knowledge to strengthen technical design and implementation. Comfortable bridging design and engineering by translating ideas into playable systems in-engine, iterating on levels and mechanics, and collaborating with programmers and artists to refine gameplay and content. Calm, deadline-driven, and motivated to grow under senior mentorship.

Tom Dowker

Game designer and developer with hands-on experience across game design, level design, and QA testing. Proficient in Unreal Engine 5 (Blueprints) and Unity with C#, and building C++ knowledge to strengthen technical design and implementation. Comfortable bridging design and engineering by translating ideas into playable systems in-engine, iterating on levels and mechanics, and collaborating with programmers and artists to refine gameplay and content. Calm, deadline-driven, and motivated to grow under senior mentorship.

Available to hire

Game designer and developer with hands-on experience across game design, level design, and QA testing. Proficient in Unreal Engine 5 (Blueprints) and Unity with C#, and building C++ knowledge to strengthen technical design and implementation.

Comfortable bridging design and engineering by translating ideas into playable systems in-engine, iterating on levels and mechanics, and collaborating with programmers and artists to refine gameplay and content. Calm, deadline-driven, and motivated to grow under senior mentorship.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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Work Experience

Game & Level Designer (Volunteer) at Mirage Studios
December 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026
Designed and implemented mechanics and level content for an upcoming Unity title with a public demo targeted for late 2026. Used Unity and Tiled to build and iterate on gameplay systems and mechanics, working in-engine while planning content in Miro. Collaborated closely with programmers and artists to develop core mechanics and support world-building.
Customer Team Member at Co-op Supermarket
February 1, 2025 - February 28, 2026
Part-time customer service role including tills operation, stock deliveries, and cash handling (~25 hours/week).
Customer Team Member at Co-op Supermarket, Sheffield
February 1, 2025 - February 1, 2026
Part-time role (~25 hrs/week) covering customer service, tills operation, stock deliveries, and cash handling.
Game Designer & QA Tester at Miami Avalon
January 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
Contributed to game design and QA testing for Ascend (published on Steam in September 2025). Worked with designers and programmers to develop mechanics and communicate ideas via Miro and detailed explanations. Conducted systematic bug testing, documented issues clearly, and provided structured feedback that fed into balancing and polishing ahead of release.
AR/VR Exhibit Facilitator (Volunteer) at Sheffield International Documentary Film Festival
June 1, 2022 - Present
Volunteered to facilitate public use of VR headsets and computer equipment across the AR/VR exhibition programme, helping resolve technical issues as they arose.

Education

BA (Hons) Games Design and Development - 2:1 at Sheffield Hallam University
September 1, 2020 - May 31, 2024
Game Development Bootcamp at NextGen & Game Republic
October 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
AIM Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation & VFX - High Merit at Sheffield College
September 1, 2018 - June 30, 2020
BA (Hons) Games Design and Development (2:1) at Sheffield Hallam University
September 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
Applied Professional Diploma (Pass) - 12-month placement year (SHU Business Enterprise Hub) at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU Business Enterprise Hub)
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
Game Development Bootcamp (NextGen & Game Republic) - Professional skills programme at NextGen & Game Republic
October 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025
AIM Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation & VFX (High Merit) at Sheffield College
September 1, 2018 - June 1, 2020
BA (Hons) Games Design and Development – 2:1 at Sheffield Hallam University
September 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
Game Development Bootcamp at NextGen & Game Republic (online/in-person)
October 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025
AIM Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation & VFX – High Merit at Sheffield College
September 1, 2018 - June 1, 2020
BA (Hons) Games Design and Development (2:1) at Sheffield Hallam University
September 1, 2020 - May 31, 2024
Game Development Bootcamp (NextGen & Game Republic) at NextGen & Game Republic
October 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
AIM Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation & VFX (High Merit) at Sheffield College
September 1, 2018 - June 30, 2020
BA (Hons) Games Design and Development - 2:1 at Sheffield Hallam University
September 1, 2020 - May 31, 2024
Game Development Bootcamp (NextGen & Game Republic) at NextGen & Game Republic
October 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
AIM Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation & VFX - High Merit at Sheffield College
September 1, 2018 - June 30, 2020

Qualifications

AIM Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation & VFX
September 1, 2018 - June 1, 2020
BA (Hons) Games Design and Development
September 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
Game Development Bootcamp (NextGen & Game Republic)
October 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025
AIM Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation & VFX – High Merit
September 1, 2018 - June 1, 2020
Game Development Bootcamp (NextGen & Game Republic)
October 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025

Industry Experience

Gaming, Education, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Retail