Michael Rouse

About

Lead Unity developer who shipped two public-facing VR projects (Aberwla full release and Cognetic demo) end-to-end to the Meta Quest Store at Animated Technologies, including optimization and VRC compliance. Currently building solo first-person horror/ghost-hunting projects and aiming to ship a small-scope atmospheric title to Steam to broaden platform shipping experience.

Experience

Education

Key Strengths

• Shipped Unity VR titles end-to-end to the Meta Quest Store (including VRC compliance)
• Lead Unity developer owning full technical delivery: scoping, core mechanics/systems, optimization, and deployment
• Strong VR performance/optimization and store-readiness experience
• Able to turn fuzzy requirements into clear specs via cross-functional collaboration (e.g., with art direction/creative)
• Uses AI to evaluate architectural options and implement scalable, performant core systems

Reference Highlights

• Crucial impact on gameplay quality
• Ensured quality was built in at every stage of development
• Invaluable knowledge of player experience
• Set and ensured adherence to live performance metrics
• Led development of a high-quality game that functioned well
• Responsive to feedback and integrates it quickly when justified
• Appropriately pushes back on unjustified feedback
• Handles shifting priorities well
• Thrives in agile environments
• Drove process improvement by instituting agile in the organization
• Goes above and beyond to understand complex requirements
• Shares learnings to benefit the team
• Adaptable and able to learn other languages for client outcomes
• Clear communicator
• Effective cross-functional collaborator; 'talks the lingo of creatives'
• Methodical and organized
• Proactive problem solver
• Managed difficult client with changing requirements while delivering on time