Tom Wood

Game Developer

About Me

I am a game developer with experience in Unreal Engine 5 (C++) and Unity (C#). With an academic background in Maths and Computer Science, I also have 6+ years of experience in Python with a focus Automatic Music Transcription and Deep Learning. Currently I am working on a visual novel RPG titled Odyssey in Unreal Engine 5 with a small team of artists, game designers and musicians.

I have a keen interest in mental health and run multiple weekly mental health support groups for gamers on Discord. I also run daily co-working sessions for creators on the Mastered bootcamp where we meet every 2-3 hours to share progress, give each other feedback, plan the next steps and help each other problem solve. In my free time I like to play guitar or violin and spend time with my dog.

Education

PhD Student in Computer Science (incomplete) Jan 2016 – Jun 2022
The University of Warwick Coventry, United Kingdom
  • Created novel methods for the application of Transformer models and LSTMs to Automatic Music Transcription and for correcting performer and transcription errors
  • Created a visual tool for aligning MIDI recordings (from existing datasets) and XML scores (scraped from the web)
  • Worked independently on multi‑year research, managing my time and staying on track and motivated
Python PyTorch Keras NumPy Pandas SciPy Matplotlib Deep Learning
MSc in Computer Science Sep 2014 – Sep 2015
The University of Warwick Coventry, United Kingdom
Dissertation topic: Automatic Music Transcription using Machine Learning
Machine Learning Python Keras
BSc in Mathematics Oct 2011 – Jun 2014
The University of Warwick Coventry, United Kingdom
Modules including: Linear Algebra, Advanced Linear Algebra, Probability, Programming for Scientists (Java), C Programming, Scientific Programming (C), Combinatorial Optimisation, Mathematics by Computer (MATLAB), Experimental Mathematics
Linear Algebra MATLAB C Java

Experience - Unreal Engine 5 - C++

Games Programmer May 2023 ‑ Oct 2023
MASTERED Remote, United Kingdom
  • Completed a government-funded training programme focused on UE5/C++
  • Developing a visual novel RPG (Odyssey) implementing features including: Menu System, Branching Dialogue, Quests, World Exploration, Item Interaction, Inventory System
  • Rapid prototyping in 5 Live Creator Challenges ‑ I was selected to present my work at the end of the day for 4 of the challenges
  • Reporting to my mentor on a weekly basis to develop project management skills
  • Took initiative to organise daily co‑working sessions with other creators on the program. I run check‑ins every 2‑3 hours in which we share progress, give each other feedback, plan the next steps and help each other problem solve
Unreal Engine 5 C++ Blueprints UMG Trello Communication Research Conceptualising Presenting Time Management

Experience - Unity - C#

Lead Programmer Nov 2023
Lava Loop Remote
  • Worked on a team of 15 to create an endless runner on a Mobius strip
  • Coordinated with project manager and other leads
  • Ensured timely delivery of MVP and MLP tasks by the programming team
Unity C# GitHub Time Management Teamwork Communication
UI Programmer Aug 2023
DeathCON Remote
  • Created UI in Unity for a capture the flag game teaching technical debugging skills within an urban fantasy quest system
  • To be used at the DEATHCon conference
Unity C# UI
Student Games Developer 2021 ‑ May 2023
Self-Study, Online Courses (Unity) Remote, United Kingdom
  • Created 10 projects in 2D and 3D in 12 months across 2 courses and independent development
  • Created a vehicle configurator in Unity for my Mastered bootcamp application
Unity 2D & 3D C#

Experience - Writing - Narrative Design

Head Writer Dec 2020 ‑ Current
FED League (D&D 5e) Remote
  • Completing dramatic narrative writing on monthly and quarterly cycles with a fast, iterative workflow
  • Working on a team with over 10 individuals including artists, programmers and other writers
  • Designing new game mechanics to improve immersion and overall player experience
  • Writing one‑shots and short adventures for a homebrewed world, ensuring consistency with existing lore
  • Writing unique and memorable characters whose actions are driven by their desires, hopes, fears, and moral values
Writing Narrative Design Game Design Teamwork Documentation Collabation

Interests

Currently In Development

View on GitHub More Details
Mastered Bootcamp Programming Art Unreal Engine 5 C++ Blueprints UMG Interfaces Trello Project Management Presenting
Odyssey (Unreal Engine 5)

Tabletop-inspired visual novel RPG

I developed a tech demo for Odyssey as my main project for the Mastered bootcamp. After other creators showed an interest in collaborating on the project, we have decided to take the project further. I implemented the following in C++:

  • Menu System
  • Interactive Dialogue
  • Dialogue Trees
  • Quests
  • World Exploration
  • Item Interaction
  • Inventory System
Team:
  • Programming & 2D Art: Tom Wood
  • Environment & Prop Art: Joshua Burrows
  • Character Concept & 2D Art: Sara Veronika Tóth
  • Game Design: Phowecy
  • Music: Mimsy Borogoves
  • Special Thanks: Harry Smith, Angelo Davis, Jack Greenary

Coding Challenges

View on GitHub Try Now!
Vehicle Configurator (Unity)

Completed as part of my application for the Mastered bootcamp.

See video for implementation details.

Programming 3D Art Unity C# Solo-Dev Events

Live Creator Challenges

I participated in 5 one-day live creator challenges as part of the Mastered bootcamp. We completed our projects individually, but tracked progress on a shared Trello board and participated in regular stand-ups throughout the day.

Fish Game (Unreal Engine 5)

Hyper-Casual Game

  • Simple objective and straightforward rules
  • Short game rounds
  • Quick and easy to learn controls
  • Item collection
  • Art by Quaternius

Mastered Bootcamp Programming Unreal Engine 5 Blueprints C++ Solo-Dev Rapid Prototyping
Memory Game (Unreal Engine 5)

A Simple Memory Game

  • A memory game where the player has to match pairs of cards
  • Scoring System

Mastered Bootcamp Programming Unreal Engine 5 Blueprints C++ Solo-Dev Rapid Prototyping
Crow Racer (Unreal Engine 5)

Vehicle-Based Gameplay

  • Handling and Physics
  • Obstacles & Collectibles
  • Scoring System
  • Collisions & Death State

Mastered Bootcamp Programming Unreal Engine 5 Blueprints C++ Solo-Dev Rapid Prototyping

Coursework

I developed a series of short Unity games as part of various courses on GameDev.tv. Some of them are listed here.

Island Defender (Unity)

A thrilling, fast-paced rail shooter

Defeat the big golden enemy ship before time runs out and your home gets destroyed. Completed as part of the Complete C# Unity Game Developer 3D Online Course on GameDev.tv.

  • Used Gaia for procedural terrain generation.

Programming Unity C# Solo-Dev
Moon Lander (Unity)

A constant balancing act relying on skill and patience.

Completed as part of the Complete C# Unity Game Developer 3D Online Course on GameDev.tv

Try Now!
Programming Unity C# Solo-Dev
TileVania (Unity)

A 2D platformer

Completed as part of the Complete C# Unity Game Developer 2D Online Course on GameDev.tv

Try Now!
Programming Unity C# Solo-Dev
A Village in the Woods (Unity)

A first person shooter prototype with state machine driven AI enemies

Features a complex state-driven AI that uses visual and auditory inputs to notice and stalk the player or other environmental stimuli. States include: Idle, Patrol, Listening, Looking Around, Staring, Chasing, Attacking, Dying.

The player can use the environment to their advantage, e.g. by using explosive barrels as traps or distractions.

Programming Unity C# Solo-Dev

Freelance Projects

x64 debugger UI in Unity
Cyber Security Game (Unity)

Programming Unity C#

Warhammer 40k Crusade Mission

Crusade mission battle map
Orbital Inferno

A Warhammer 40k Crusade Incursion mission

I designed and wrote an unofficial mission for Warhammer 40k. My goal was to present the players with difficult choices and encourage negotiaton between players.

Do they form a temporary alliance to achieve a common goal? Will one choose to betray the other for a greater gain but at greater risk?

View Mission

FED League Adventures (D&D 5e)

I'm Head Writer for the FED League and have been designing and writing one-shots and short adventures for the league since 2020.

diagram of levers and grates for trapped wizard puzzle
The Trapped Wizard Puzzle

An original puzzle for one of the one-shots I wrote for the FED League.

Objective: Get from grate A to the wizard's secret lab

"Finally, you’ve reached the bottom floor of the lighthouse. In the center of the room you see a large round hole in the ground covered by a heavy metal grate. A continuous stream of water rushes through the flooded tunnel beneath the grate. Judging by the sheer amount of noise it’s making, you can’t help but think of how powerful the current must be. You also notice that the walls of the tunnel are covered in some kind of slimy, spongy goo. A big arrow carved into the stone floor points towards the hole and, next to it, in big writing, an inscription reads ‘SECRET LAB’. The only other thing in the room are 8 levers next to the wall. Now that you see this, you remember one of the drawings you saw on the floor above.""

View Hints & Solution
2d6 and 1d12
DiceJack

A blackjack-inspired minigame

Written for the Joy to the World adventure to simulate a rooftop race.

View Rules
The Trapped Wizard

A 6th Level FED Adventure

The PCs are contacted by a desperate wizard who got himself trapped in his own lab underneath a lighthouse and begs them to rescue him. What initially sounded like a straightforward rescue mission turns out to be far more dangerous as the PCs find out that a being from another dimension is toying with them, trying to stop them from reaching the poor wizard.

Joy to the World

A 3rd Level FED Christmas Adventure

It’s Christmas Eve and the PCs are fighting their way through a snowstorm, in search of Skaland - the northernmost village in the world. Every year, the inhabitants of Skaland throw a huge party for Santa’s kobolds who get to enjoy their one night off after yet another year of hard work. But what starts off as an innocent celebration ends in disaster. Does the party have what it takes to save Christmas?

The Cloud Factory

A 4th Level FED Adventure

The PCs have been summoned to help a group of archeologists who’ve recently uncovered and accidentally awakened the ancient mummy lord Nuben-aren-ha-ra-theris-mar-kah-nesh-u-tah who’s taken over the region’s cloud factory and turned the area into an inhospitable desert, forcing all of its inhabitants to retreat underground. Can our heroes reclaim and repair the factory to end the droughts and suffering?

The Fairwater Trial

A 1st Level FED Adventure

The PCs are visiting the town of Fairwater in the middle of the Fairwater Spring Festival. Everyone’s having a good time until they find themselves watching the town’s hospital go down in flames. As impartial visitors in town, they are summoned for jury duty. What choices will they make when presented with a moral dilemma?

The Gnoll Invasion

A 1st Level FED Adventure

The players find themselves captured by a gnoll clan and are waiting to be executed. They learn that the gnolls are working with the goblins and are planning to mount simultaneous attacks on Anacra. One from the East and one at The Wall. Moreover, the gnolls are planning to attack a nearby human settlement named Skana the next morning. Can the players escape in time to warn Skana and help them find a way to fight off the gnolls and warn the kingdom?

The Temple of Knowledge

A 2nd Level FED Puzzle Adventure

The PCs discover a secret network of tunnels beneath the nation's largest library, leading to the ancient Temple of Knowledge. Can they work together and communicate well to find the hidden treasure within?