Innovation Engineer & Media Developer

My core passion is creating new and exciting ways for us to experience games and entertainment. From reimagining how we interact with 3D spaces to building gaming communities, I'm always seeking to push the boundaries of what's possible.

Three principles drive my work:
  1. Quality and depth over quantity and scale
  2. Treating your virtual worlds as real creates organic immersion
  3. True innovations should make everyone feel like a kid again
Dominick John - Innovation Engineer & Media Developer

I love to reimagine how players experience games.

New rendering techniques, second-nature control schemes, and deeper, more intuitive interactions are some of the ways I strive to innovate.

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"3D Glass" Dynamic Perspective System

Transforms any screen into a dynamic window into virtual worlds using head-tracking and device motion, creating an intuitive way to explore 3D spaces that feels like looking through a real window rather than at a screen.

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Natural Touch Control System for Top-Down Games

A control scheme that makes complex top-down games naturally playable on mobile by leveraging familiar OS gestures and physics-based movement, eliminating on-screen buttons while enabling precise combat and deep gameplay mechanics.

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Volumetric Pixel Rendering

A uniquely stylized rendering system that creates striking visual experiences by turning voxels into pixel art objects with true perspective 3D.

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Retro PC Adventure Simulator

A narrative+visual system that recreates the magic of classic text adventures through a simulated old-school PC. Players explore a fully-rendered 3D room containing a period-accurate computer, where every keystroke and screen refresh is lovingly simulated to transport them back to the golden age of story gaming.

I bring gaming communities together through viral media.

With a history of filmmaking, performance, and comedy writing, I help players forge deeper connections with game worlds while providing valuable insights to dev teams.

I turn creative ideas into polished experiences.

From successful mobile apps to compelling vertical slices, I can transform creative concepts into polished, showcase-ready products.

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"Chimp Copter" - Motion Controlled Flying Arcade Game

Published mobile game that challenges players with precise gyroscope-based flight controls. Features competitive leaderboards and monetization, demonstrating full commercial development capabilities alongside innovative control design.

  • Unique single-axis tilt control system creates engaging challenge through precise motion control
  • Physics-based flight mechanics blend difficulty with fairness for addictive gameplay
  • Complete feature set including leaderboards and in-app purchases
  • Successfully shipped cross-platform on iOS and Android stores
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Birby - Physics-Based Precision Platformer

"Birby" - Physics-Based Precision Platformer

A vertical slice that reimagines mobile platforming by combining Angry Birds-style touch controls with challenging level design. Features mechanics that create compelling risk-reward decisions while maintaining intuitive mobile gameplay.

Talkadroid

"Talkadroid" - Text-to-Speech Communication App

Early Android app that creatively combined translation and text-to-speech APIs into a powerful communication tool. Reached over 300,000 downloads and topped the free app charts by making multilingual communication and custom soundboards accessible to all.

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"Kindred" - Intuitive Touch-Screen Narrative RPG

A vertical slice demonstrating how classic isometric RPGs can be reimagined for mobile. Features innovative dialogue presentation and intuitive world interaction that earned strong support from hardcore RPG fans.

I create tools that make complex work feel natural.

I turn creative bottlenecks into opportunities for innovation, and build tools that make complex workflows feel effortless.

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Multi-Genre Controller Framework

Built a comprehensive input framework for Unity that accelerates cross-platform game development through an intuitive GUI and professional-grade control presets.

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Smart Color Shading Plug-in

Created an intuitive color palette system for Aseprite that generates natural color variations through intelligent color math.

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Short Form Video Clip Creator

Built a specialized editing tool that takes the pain out of converting long videos into multiple short-form clips for social media.

I bring two decades of cross-disciplinary experience.

From filmmaking to software engineering, my multidisciplinary background combines technical expertise with creative storytelling. This unique intersection enables me to approach projects with concise systematic thinking and wide artistic vision.

Experience

Founder & Technical Director

Starhelm Studios (2011-Present)

  • Shipped multiple mobile applications reaching 500k+ total downloads
  • Created and grew Space Bards entertainment channel to 15M+ views collectively, with performances at major gaming conventions including BlizzCon
  • Delivered technical consulting and custom development for 100+ clients and entrepreneurs, specializing in media, programming, and web design
  • Successfully managed multiple crowdfunding campaigns with complete delivery of promised content and features

Technical Director / Lead Developer

Wholehearted Business (2012-2024)

  • Led architecture and development of custom website build solutions for business clients
  • Managed technical implementation across multiple concurrent projects
  • Developed specialized frameworks to accelerate development workflows

Video Production Intern

MTV Networks (2006)

  • Early career experience in a professional production environment

Technical Expertise

C# C++ GDScript GLSL Unity Unreal Godot Photoshop Premiere Pro After Effects Logic Pro Git Jira
Shader Development Custom Rendering Input Systems UI/UX Design Tool Development

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

SUNY New Paltz

New Paltz, NY

2021

Associate of Applied Science in Computer Science

SUNY Orange

Middletown, NY

2020

Let's make something epic together.

I'm always eager to discuss game design, share ideas, or explore potential collaborations!