CV
An experienced Game Programmer, based in London, UK. Leader of indie studio working on original IP, supporting dev with client work.
ivankashdan@gmail.com
Github
Professional Experience
Client Work
N Alderman (July 2025-Jan 2026)
Game Developer / Lead Programmer
The Blackstone Bequest is a 2D information game for PC, in the style of Case of the Golden Idol. This upcoming game is being developed by the highly successful novelist and game writer Naomi Alderman, with a team of writers, an artist, and me (the programmer).
When I started this game was still a paper prototype, so I have built the playable prototype from the ground up, sharing the role of Game Design with the team. This has involved designing, building and iterating a database browser, branching dialogue systems, object examination mechanics, and a flexible UI.
AstraValle Studio (June-Nov 2025)
Gameplay Programmer
Nrem is a 2D atmospheric platformer for Steam and Consoledue May 2026. The team had an existing prototype made in Unity. I worked with the Lead Programmer, Game Designer, Producer, Level Designer, Artist and Animator, prototyping new mechanics, implementing new animations, improving player movement, building level layouts, and a custom camera module.
The team are based in Ryadl, Saudi Arabia, and the work has been remote.
Self-employed
Hermit House (2024-2025)
Co-founder / CEO / Game Director / Lead Programmer
A Home Below is a 3D atmospheric platformer for Steam and Console due 2027. I run development (using Jira and Miro), working with the Artist, Technical Artist, Narrative Designer and Sound Designer.
Starting from a paper prototype, we built the first prototype in Unity over 5 months, supported and funded by the Tranzfuser accelerator. We were then supported by the UK Game Fund Prototype Fund to build a second prototype. These were showcasedat EGX, New Game Plus and PG Connects, receiving positive reviews on Indie Game Plus and Gamer Social Club.
This project involved building procedural animation frameworks (for sea creatures with multiple appendages, such as a crab with 6 legs and an octopus with 8 tentacles). A custom physics system for underwater platforming, and finite state machines for complex AI (NPC agents).
In terms of visual effects, I used Shader Graph to build a custom toon lighting model that used specific colours and textures for shadowed and lit areas. I also built an interactive grass shader that responds to player touch. I built underwater caustic decals that project onto the environment, and bubble particles that spawn on movement.
For UI, I built a custom text reader with words floating into view around rotating 3D objects, and a bestiary interface where species are added as you find them in-game.
Kash & Germ (2020-2024)
Co-founder and Programmer
A Squirrel Must Have Buried It is a 2D hand-drawn puzzle game built in Unity and released on itch.io in 2023. Development was funded by the Arts Council. It was showcased at WASD as part of the Curios Indie Showcase, and at Staffordshire St Gallery as part of an art exhibition. The project received positive reviews on Big Boss Battles.
Machines Have Lucid Dreamsis a 2D point and click adventure game released on itch.io in 2022, with a 2-hour narrative and full musical score.
These projects were both carried from paper prototype through to final release, and Tinvolved building crafting systems, save systems, with substantial dialogue management. The player had access to an inventory, objectives menu that accommodates varied quests, branching paths and alternate endings. I also created sound design and music, utilising my experience in music technology, and collaborated with the Artist to make visual effects.
A Squirrel Must Have Buried It can be played in-browser. However, the game can also be played with a game controller and touchscreen.
Note: Kash & Germ reincorporated as Hermit House to make A Home Below.
Education
UCL Slade School of Fine Art, London. MA Media (2019-2023)
Merit. Thesis: 10,933 words on Game Design, Game Studies and Ludology.
Arts University Bournemouth.BA Film Production (2013-2016)
First Class Honors. Focus on Sound Design and Editing.
Technical Skills
| Programming Languages |
| C#, C++, HLSL |
| Software |
| Unity, Visual Studio, Git, Blender |
| Packages (Unity) |
| Shader Graph, URP, Cinemachine 3, Animation Rigging, Input System, Probuilder, Timeline, Unity UI, TextMeshPro, Animator, Particle System |
Management
| Jira, Trello, HackNPlan, Miro |
Additional
Photoshop, Premiere, Cubase, RX Editor,
Adventure Game Studio
Personal
I love media, both creating and absorbing it – especially film, art, and video games. This enjoyment is only heightened when experienced with others. When I need to be social, I play D&D and board games. When I need to be physical, I paint, go jogging, climbing, or on long walks in nature with my partner.