Mukund Narayan
Game Designer | Pixel & Low-Poly Enthusiast
About Me
Hi, I'm Mukund. I also go by "DanAshrulez" around the internet!Thanks for taking some time to check out my profile & projects. I hope you get to know me a bit better by the end of it!
I am a gameplay designer passionate about crafting intricate in-game systems and implementing fun gameplay mechanics.I also love working on pixel art and low poly 3D models!I believe my time working in QA for the past 1.5 years has helped me to develop a very keen eye for detail and the ability to see a project through the eyes of a tester ensuring proficient error and bug detection! Having worked with a small & focused team has helped me to improve my managerial skills like scheduling and prioritizing tasks so as to meet the production requirements.
Skills & Tools
Gameplay & Systems Design
Economy & Progression Design
Monetization Planning
GDD, Game Pitch & One Pagers
Familiar with all aspects of game production from Design & Engineering to QA
Tuning & Balancing
Rapid Prototyping
Narrative, Dialogue & Copywriting
Pixel Art, Animations & Tilesets
Low-Poly 3D Models & Assets
Agile Workflow Management
Scheduling, Organizing & Multi-tasking
Work Experience
September 2022 - Present
Game Designer
Working as the game designer for Muses, an interactive narrative focused visual novel for mobile platforms.
Key Responsibilities :
Narrative design implementation onto Unity
Ideation & Game Mechanic Design
Key UI/UX Design & Prototyping
Player Experience design
Monetization Planning
Game Design Documentation
November 2020 - May 2022
Automation Test Engineer
I was one among a hand picked three member team responsible for the complete automation of an internal Accenture Product using SELENIUM(java) & SOAP UII got to study how a project's lifecycle works within tech giants and also got to experience working in a fast paced scrum team
Key Responsibilities :
Test Case & Test Suite Design, Documentation & Execution
Design & Develop Automation Test Scripts in Selenium (java)
Scheduling & Prioritization Project Requirements
Regression & Report Management post deployment using Microsoft Azure Pipelines
Achievements: Received Accenture's "Fast-Tracked" Promotion for excellence showcased at learning new technologies & implementing core features for the project
Education
2016 - 2020
B.tech Aeronautical Engineering
I completed my Bachelors in Aeronautical Engineering with Specialization in AerodynamicsMy chosen open electives during the course were: Python & Operational Research
Key Achievements :
Finished the course with 8.95 CGPA
Techincal Head of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), Manipal Chapter (2017-2018)
Course Designer for PROJECT VITA under EWB, Manipal Chapter which aimed to teach Microsoft Word, Powerpoint & Excel to underprivileged job seeking candidates
Organizer of "Workshop" Category during College Fests - Tech Tatva & Revels 2017
*I am aware of the fact that my Bachelors is QUITE out of place with whatever I am currently looking for, but I am hoping that the consistency of performance shown across the board can convince you otherwise :3 * <funni meme>
2015
12th Grade - CBSE
Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Computer Science (C++)
Percentage: 83.8%
2013
10th Grade - CBSE-i
CGPA: 10.0
Motivation & Likes
Ah! Video Games!I remember when I got my first "console" back in 2003. This was one of those knock-offs of Sega Genesis you could buy, but back then I don't think a 6 year old me cared about the legitimacy of a product! All I knew is that I had a cassette that said 99 games in 1, and that's all that mattered.
I got my first hand held, a Nintendo DS as a Christmas gift when I was 9 (2006). The DS meant the world to me, and I must have spent countless hours on it (mostly playing Pokemon). Here is a picture I took celebrating my DS's 10th birthday!
Spending time playing and talking about video games with my friends is something that I have and always will treasure.I believe THAT is indeed the truest essence of video games! Bringing different people together and giving them a time that they can look back fondly upon in the future!Looking back, I remember I have always been reading a lot about how video games are made and what it takes to make them. Following different game studios, pulling all-nighters to watch conferences, spamming multiple game forums and discussion boards, talking with friends about what new mechanics & worlds would be cool to see and build....It took a while for me to figure things out in regards to my goals and career...but I am glad that I was finally able to start my game design journey. It really has been the chicken soup for my soul!
Things I love:
Video Games (DUH!) - My favourite games are those that I can play with friends and have a fun evening! Mainly CO-OP, PVE stuff ( Deep Rock Galactic, Risk of Rain 2, Stardew Valley etc.). I also enjoy rogue-likes and heavily story focused single player games (eg: all of the games made by Freebird Games & Supergiant Games. I also love cozy farming and life sim games like Stardew Valley, My Time at Portia and some upcoming games like: Potion Permit, Witchbrook and Haunted Chocolatier! Add me on steam and lets play together :3
Pixel Art & Low-Poly 3D - There is something really cozy about pixel art and low-poly 3D that just gets to me. Some of my favourite games of all time make use of pixelart! I have been having a blast working on my own art and models as well! That magical feeling when you see your art and models come to life in the game engine is something that cannot be expressed with just words! My Ultimate Goal here is to one day achieve anywhere near the fluid animations of Celeste and the lighting & post processing of Hyper Light Drifter!
Anime - It would be hard to pick a few favourites because I am that person whose favourite anime is the one I am currently watching. If I had to pick a few they would be: Shigatsu Wa Kimi No Uso, Tsuki Ga Kirei, Bakuman, The Quintessential Quintuplets, Oregairu, Wasteful Days of High School Girls, A Place further than the Universe.....yeah I could go on and on. I'll just link my MAL
Hololive - I fell down the rabbit hole like many others through Sakura Miko and Inugami Korone Clips which kept getting reccomended to me on YouTube, but I never really got into it until HoloMyth debuted in the September of 2020. The hololive talents and the communities around them carry such infectious positive vibes. My *oshi *is Calliope Mori from HoloMyth. She and the rest of Myth are probably one of the major reasons why I was motivated to chase my dream!
Music - Post Rock, Cinematic, Indie Folk, J-Pop, J-Rock, Idol, Video Game OSTs
Colors - Pastels (#F8C8DC, #FAA0A0, #D7B4F3)
Contact
Feel free to contact me regarding any work, collaboration, feedback or even just to say hi :3You can fill out the form and I'll get back to you ASAP! or just directly get in touch with me through the socials
mukundnarayan2007@gmail.com
Phone: (+91) 8921473442
Discord: danashrulez#4440
***You can find my socials on the footer!
***
Projects
Pixels
3D
Documentation
This is the GDD written for the demo game STAR SEARCH
This is the GDD written for the demo game JUST RAIN DOOM
A narrative design deep dive on Studio Witch Beam's "Unpacking"
Games
Star Search
Star Search is a Top-Down Action RPG focusing on high octane combat, puzzle solving exploration
Just Rain Doom
Just Rain Doom is a fast paced FPS focusing on speedy traversal and movement using a grapple
Boy & Boombox
Traverse the neon skies with your sentient boombox as you try to outrun an alien invasion.Made for: BYOG 2022 (hosted by IGDC & Gamedev.in)
Theme: That does sound like me
Duration: 48 hoursAwards: Honorable mention at IGDC
Infinite Relay
Infinite relay is an endless runner made for LOST RELIC GAME JAMTheme: Connection
Duration: Made in 4 daysRanking: 62/394 in Art DirectionAn Upgraded Android Version of the game is In Development
Distract The Cat
Distract the Cat is an Arcade Game made for LUDUM DARE (COMP) 50Theme: Delay the Inevitable
Duration: 48 hoursRanking: 258/805 in overall
Heist
A stealth-action game aimed at providing an edge of the seat player experience
Cave Escape
A traditional platformer protoype made in Unity Bolt
Fat Mosquito
Fat Mosquito is an Arcade Style Game made for GAME OFF 2021Theme: BUG
Duration: 1 monthRanking: 83/520
kickout.
A local 2 player game where the player who scores the most goals win
Star Search
Top-Down RPG
You are a nameless knight dropped into a fantasy land when the star of fate was broken. You have nothing but your trusty sword and bow. The only way out of this place is to find the shattered star fragments scattered across these unknown lands.
Platform: PC
Role: Solo Dev
Engine: Unity Bolt
Assets:** Online Assets**
Duration:1 month
Just Rain Doom
FPS
Swing your guns and traverse the map with style using your advanced grapple hook. Make use of your grapple to reach new areas and unlock new weapons as you take down hordes of enemy bots. Come face to face with the final boss and take him down with the weapons and traversal skills you have acquired on your journey.
Platform: PC
Role: Solo Dev
Engine: Unity Bolt
Assets:** Online Assets**
Duration:1 month
Boy & Boombox
Platformer
Boy and Boombox is a platformer made for the BYOG 2022 Game Jam. Play as the BOY who uses the powers gifted to him by his Boombox to traverse a neon lit night sky and destroy invading robots.
Made for:
BYOG 2022 by IGDC & gamedev.inTheme:
That does sound like meRanking:
**Won honorable mentions out of 131 entries and was rewarded at India Game Developers Conference 2022 **
Platform: **PC **
Role: Solo Dev
Engine: GDevelop
Assets:** Self Made**
Duration:** 48 hours**
Infinite Relay
Endless Runner
Jump over hurdles, pass the baton and keep the connection going to reach your new high score!
Made for:
LOST RELIC GAME JAM 1Theme:
ConnectionSelf Goals for the jam:
Get familiar with GDevelop,
Make a good looking gameRanking:
62/394 in Art Direction
Platform: PC & Android (in dev)
Role: Solo Dev
Engine: GDevelop
Assets:** Self Made**
Duration:** 4 Days**
Distract The Cat
Arcade
Distract the Cat with your laser by reflecting it off the highlighted mirror before the distraction meter runs out!
Made for:
Ludum Dare 50Theme:
Delay the InevitableSelf Goals for the jam:
Have a finished game in 48 hoursRanking:
258/805 Overall
Platform: PC
Role: Solo Dev
Engine: Godot
Assets:** Self Made**
Duration:** 48 Hours**
Heist
Stealth
You are up Agent! Your mission is to Infiltrate into the enemy base and secure the stolen data by any means necessary! Use the new and improved NIGHT V 2400 developed by our R&D and you will have a much easier time! Best of Luck Agent! Don't fail us! The world depends on it!
Platform: PC
Role: Solo Dev
Engine: Godot
Assets:** Online**
Duration:** 3 weeks**
Cave Escape
Platformer
Escape from the depths of a cave by avoiding all the obstacles along the way
Platform: PC
Role: Solo Dev
Engine: Unity
Assets:** Online**
Duration:** 3 weeks**
Fat Mosquito
Arcade
Don't get swatted, Suck some blood and become THE Fat Mosquito!
Made for:
Game Off 2021Theme:
BUGSelf Goals for the jam:
Have a completed game by a month! Put in about 7 days after work on the gameRanking:
83/520 Overall
Platform: PC
Role: Solo Dev
Engine: Godot
Assets:** Self Made**
Duration:** 1 month**
Kickout
Local Co-Op, Sports
Play against your friend in a 1v1 fast paced football! First to score 3 goals win the game!
Platform: PC
Role: Solo Dev
Engine: Godot
Assets:** Online**
Duration:** 2 weeks**
