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 2020
“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).
Featured Projects
Other Projects
Breakdown
A tool used for tracking project task time, and displays the data in a list and pie chart.
Lightning Essentials
A library built in C# that features many helpful extensions and methods for use with Unity.
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!