Hey there, my name is

Joey Paniello.

I build games and apps.

I'm a Technical Designer based in Issaquah, WA specializing in Game Feel and Gameplay systems.
I develop games, mobile apps, and tools in Unreal Engine and Unity.

About Me

Hello! I'm Joey, a technical designer based in Issaquah, WA who loves making buttons feel great to press.

I started my game development journey when I was 15, and found that I have a strong passion for game feel and creating core gameplay systems. I'm entirely self-taught and proud of it; one of my strongest skills is being able to adapt, and learn new techniques to tackle any project that comes my way.

Here are just a few things I work with:

  • C#
  • C++
  • Python
  • LUA
  • PHP
  • JavaScript
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • MySQL
  • Unity
  • Unreal Engine
  • Xamarin
  • PlayStation
  • Nintendo Switch
  • Android
  • Git
  • Perforce
  • WordPress

Job Experience

Senior Gameplay Technical Designer @ Firewalk Studios

April 2021 - November 2024

“The Bridge between Design and Engineering”

What I did there:

  • Facilitated gameplay designer workflow by building tools, maps, ability foundations, and systems, to improve efficiency and expand game functionality.
  • Collaborated with gameplay design and engineering teams on feature implementation, assisting in iteration, testing, debugging and providing C++ and/or Blueprint support.
  • Developed data structures, interfaces, tuning variables, and events for design use across various systems.
  • Authored technical documents detailing feature/system intent, tuning requirements, and technical needs.
  • Owned and maintained multiple gameplay systems, prototyping in Blueprint and later optimizing in performance-focused C++.
  • Designed and drove Soft Collision and Aimed Ability Object Placement systems from concept to ship, collaborating with engineering to meet gameplay, content team, and performance needs.
  • Assisted in the development of all characters, by providing technical support for design owners with implementation, tuning, debugging, and bug fixing, while also shepherding a character.
  • Contributed in design meetings to brainstorm new and existing features, moment-to-moment gameplay, character kits, and creating action items for issues with gameplay.
  • Supported all disciplines with gameplay system explanations, feature intent and implementation assistance.
  • Supported shipment of Concord on PlayStation 5, and Steam.

Lead Developer @ Happy Badger Studio

May 2012 - August 2022

“At Happy Badger Studio we create games that have bite.”

What I did there:

  • Rapidly create prototypes and iterate on ideas to find the fun
  • Design and develop game architecture.
  • Write gameplay, network, and UI code.
  • Port games to consoles/devices and implement platform specific features and checks.
  • Publish, and update games on multiple platforms. (Steam, PS4, Switch, Android, iOS)

Lead Developer @ Rampant Interactive

May 2012 - August 2022

“At Rampant Interactive, we create interactive media and custom applications to solve unique needs for our clients.”

What I did there:

  • Coordinate with my team to plan applications, timeline, and what technology to use.
  • Design application architecture.
  • Write clean, performant, fault-tolerant, multi-platform code.
  • Maintain and expand upon applications as our client’s needs grow, and change.
  • Publish and patch apps on their required markets (Android, iOS, Kindle).

Other Projects

Time Fork

Time Fork is an AR+GPS Experience that allows the user to view into a different dimension at Laumeire Park in STL.

  • Unity C#
  • AR Foundation
  • GPS
Windows
Ameren Inclusion Cruiser

The Ameren Inclusion Cruiser is an innovate way to share important information on diversity and inclusion internally with Ameren employees, as well as with the public at events throughout the year.

  • Unity C#
PC
Breakdown

A tool used for tracking project task time, and displays the data in a list and pie chart.

  • Unity C#
Mobile
The Post Upload

A tool used for uploading documents to a company dropbox for managers and franchisees.

  • Xamarin
  • C#
Internal
Lightning Essentials

A library built in C# that features many helpful extensions and methods for use with Unity.

  • C#
Windows
Pulitzer Arts - Kota

A beautiful interactive experience that merges data about the African reliquary figures Kota and room-wide visuals with projectors in the Pulitzer Arts museum.

  • Unity C#

Contact

Get In Touch

I'm currently looking for a new studio to call home, please email if you would like to connect!
Whether for a potential project or just to say hi, I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Say Hello