Shaun Ames

About

Gameplay/network systems developer with shipped experience at Narsun Studios and Volition, including end-to-end ownership of a custom multiplayer session system for a VR title built on Unreal Online Subsystem with dedicated servers on AWS GameLift and PlayFab backend. Strong in profiling-driven optimization, scalability/load testing, and data-driven progression/balance (GAS), with telemetry-led changes that improved retention by ~20%.

Experience

Education

Key Strengths

• Owned end-to-end multiplayer session system for a shipped VR title (Unreal OSS + dedicated servers on AWS GameLift + PlayFab backend)
• Network performance tuning using Unreal network profiling (bandwidth, relevancy, update rates) under simulated latency
• Stability/scalability polish via load testing, robust reconnect handling, clear error states, and QA diagnostics
• Shipped quest system improvements reducing state bugs and improving reliability under memory/CPU constraints
• Improved multiplayer responsiveness and stability using profiling/optimization and server-authoritative design
• Blueprint prototyping workflow that transitions to maintainable C++ while preserving Blueprint hooks
• Data-driven progression/balance design (GAS), including stat caps and live tuning loops
• Telemetry-driven engagement improvements (cut XP curves, milestone bonuses) resulting in ~20% retention increase
• Balanced authenticity vs competitive fairness in football gameplay by modeling fatigue but capping stamina effects