I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Game Development from Full Sail University and I’m a remote Intern there.

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When I was 4 years old I experienced my first videogame on my cousin’s console. I was amazed at the game that he was playing and I couldn’t believe that I was able to control a character in a fantasy world to explore and have breathtaking adventures. At the age of 9 I got my fist console; since then, I never stopped enjoying, and researching videogames, how they work, who makes them, and how are they developed.

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In 2006, while reading about a game development degree, I realized that my destiny in life was to create amazing experiences for people to enjoy. Thanks to my determination, I obtained a high school scholarship at Monterrey Tech, and later, multiple scholarships for international students for a degree in Game Development at Full Sail University.

At Full Sail, I developed key programming and design skills in C#, C++, Unity3D, Networking, Object Oriented Programming, Data Structures, Math and Physics, and DirectX as well as other equally important assets like teamwork, creativity, leadership, and the ability to understand and master new skills. Also, I gained real life working experience with similar schedules and work loads of companies in the industry.

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Working on my final project was one of the best experiences I have had in my life. I got to work with the Medicine Degree department of the University of Pittsburgh to create a VR game for Google Cardboard that teaches people about viruses and how the cells from the body defend against them. My teammates and I started from scratch, having to learn biology to design and develop the game. We designed two story modes (Virus and Cell gameplay), seven minigames and a colony management strategy game, using only one button as an input for the Google Cardboard to reach a general audience in the mobile market.

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During this development, I was the first and only student in my degree to learn and work with the Facebook API and XML to create a Facebook Manager that lets the user log in, get access to the Facebook user’s information, and upload new data to share on the profile.

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Using the Google VR API, I developed the user interface, and with Unity3D in C#, I designed and coded the menu interface, credit animations, two of the minigames, and the sound manager.

I also oversaw the production, quality assurance, and communication with the 3D/UI artists, sound and music teams, ensuring deadlines were met so that we could add the assets to the game on time.

Finally, I mastered user experience attending multiple expos organizing tests for our game to find bugs and bad design choices to fix them.

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One of the biggest challenges that I had was to learn on my own various API’s from different companies to understand and develop the content. This is very valuable to me, because now I am confident to go into any company and rapidly learn and adapt effortlessly to your processes, code standards, work style, etc.

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Now my goal is for people to experience the same excitement I felt when I played my first videogame. It would be awesome to be a part of something that will change the future.

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Sincerely,

Sebastian Diaz Portillo