CV
An experienced Game Programmer based in London, UK. I am the leader of an indie studio that won Tranzfuser 2024 and UKGF Prototype Fund 2025, which is supporting ongoing development with client work. I recently completed a project for the famous writer Naomi Alderman, also supported by UK Games Fund. I have shipped 3 games in the last 5 years.
ivankashdan@gmail.com
Github
Professional Experience
Client Work
N Alderman (July 2025-Jan 2026)
Game Developer / Lead Programmer
The Blackstone Bequest is an 2D information game for PC, in the style of Case of the Golden Idol.
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Developed
alongside a team of writers and an artist
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Starting from a
paper prototype, I built the entire playable in Unity
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We worked
together on Game Design
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The game includes
a database browser
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Branching dialogue systems
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Object
examination mechanics
- Flexible UI
AstraValle Studio (June-Nov 2025)
Gameplay Programmer
Nrem is a 2D atmospheric platformer for Steam and Console due May 2026.
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Working for 2
senior programmers, alongside a game
designer, level designer, artist, animator, and producer
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Working on an existing
prototype made in Unity
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I prototyped
new mechanics
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Implemented new animations
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Improved player
movement
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Built level
layouts
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Built a customcamera module
- The work has been remote, and the team are based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Own Studio
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, funded by the Tranzfuser accelerator and UK Games Fund Prototype Fund.
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I run
development working with 2 artists, a narrative designer and sound designer
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Starting from a
paper prototype, we’ve built 2 public demos so far in Unity
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I built procedural
animation (for sea creatures with multiple appendages)
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A custom
physics system for underwater platforming
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Finite state
machines for AI (NPC agents)
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A custom toon
lighting model
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An interactive
grass shader that responds to player touch
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Underwater caustic
decals that project onto the environment
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Bubble
particles that spawn on movement
- Custom UI with words floating into view around rotating 3D objects
In the Mole For Love is a short, 2D adventure game released on itch.io in Xmas 2025.
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Working with 1
artist, and built in Unity
- I built destructible
terrain, which the player can dig through as a mole
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Digging tracks are recorded by a tile-based chunking
system, allowing long distance exploration in all directions without bricking performance
Kash & Germ (2020-2024)
Co-founder and Programmer
A Squirrel Must Have Buried It is a 2D hand-drawn puzzle game released on itch.io in 2023, funded by the Arts Council, and showcased in the Curios Indie Showcase.
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Built in Unity
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Custom crafting
system
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Inventory
system
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Sound design
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Playable in-browser,
or with a game controller, or touchscreen
Machines Have Lucid Dreams is a 2D point and click adventure game released on itch.io in 2022.
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2-hour
narrative
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Full musical
score
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Save systems
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Huge dialoguetrees
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Objectives
menu
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Quests, branching
paths and alternate endings
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.