Michael Vancore
Experienced Game/Level Designer
SKILLS
Technical Skills: Unity, Unreal 4, Unreal 5, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign),
Blender, Design Documents, Level Design, Foliage, Game Flow, Game Loops, Game Concepts,
Prototyping, UI/UX Design, Playtesting, Miro, Jira, Trello, Perforce, TortoiseSVN, Slack
Soft Skills: Project Management, Leadership, Problem Solving, Team Management, Communication, Team Skills, UI
WORK EXPERIENCE
Level Designer, Snail Games USA, Loveland, CO
Jul 2024 - Jun 2025
Ark Aquatica - Created DLC Map for the 4th Best Selling Game of All Time
● Initial Level Designer on Ark: Aquatica, develop open world map layout in collaboration with Project Lead and Lead Developer.
● Design and implement engaging environments in UE4 with a focus on exploration, resource gathering, and survival gameplay.
● Created initial world map used by Level Design team to guide design decisions and gameplay.
● Implement gameplay assets using the Unreal Foliage tool.
● Debug and optimize map for smooth performance in open-world settings.
● Assist the planning and direction of the map team.
● Level Design QA Lead, providing in-engine solutions and coordinating communication with multiple teams to identify major game issues.
Lead Game Designer & Art Instructor, NonPareil Institute, Orlando, FL
Jan 2022 - Jun 2024
NonPareil Institute - Higher Education and Work Readiness Training for Adults with Autism
● Lead design team on Legacy Hunter.
● Design systems, levels, core gameplay loops, and other aspects for 2D Platformers.
● Create and maintain Design Documents, task lists, and script.
● Create lesson plans and coordinate site-wide events.
● Collaborate with faculty members across campus on interdisciplinary projects.
● Lead discussions and research in game theory and game design.
● Grade student work and provide timely feedback on weekly assignments, midterms, finals, and long-term projects.
● Host and coordinate multiple weekly D&D sessions for students.
● Work on community outreach projects involving local comic book shops.
Lead Level Designer, Zygobot Studios, Winter Park, FL
Jul 2020 - Jul 2021
Zygobot is a video game company focused on Indie PC games.
● Led a team of six (Programmers, Artist, Level Designers) to design levels for Roll For Initiative.
● Implemented level and system design to ongoing projects (sequencer tool within Unreal,
combining real-time gameplay combined with pre-animated sequences.
● Crafted level flow that emphasizes Combat Encounters, Puzzles, Exploration, and Narrative.
● Created and maintained the Game Design Document (GDD).
● Used computer 3D software packages to build levels, block out scenarios, 3D models and object/character paths.
● Developed prototypes of art and game assets using Unreal Engine 5 Blueprint system.
Lead Writer and Co-Director, NerdzGarage, Wilmington, NC Aug 2021 - Jan 2022
● Developed pitch for an original audio show.
● Wrote, edited, and directed 10 episodes for a Sitcom Podcast.
● Responsible for creating engaging and compelling content that resonates with audiences.
● Performed clerical tasks such as transcribing, copying and printing documents.
Senior Game Associate (Shift Lead), GameStop, Winter Park, FL
Aug 2021 - Jan 2022
● Opened and closed store.
● Responsible for balancing safe and verifying end-of-day transactions.
● Processed transactions with customers.
● Managed and supervised team members, trained new employees.
PROJECTS
Ark: Aquatica - PC, Itch.io
● Open World Survival Game for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox
● Level Designer
● Initial Level Designer on project, created world map and established level design practices.
● Worked as part of the level design team to design and build game levels.
● Lead Level Design team in Quality Assurance, identifying and resolving bugs
Legacy Hunter - PC, Itch.io
● 2D Run-and-Gun Platformer for PC
● Lead Game Designer
● Lead development team as one of two Game Design Leads.
● Conducted playtests and implemented feedback.
● https://nonpareil.itch.io/legacy-hunter
Roll for Initiative - PC, Steam
● Top-down tactical strategy game inspired by Dungeons & Dragons
● Level Design Lead
● Created level design documents, game systems, and UI elements.
● Worked with various departments to create assets for multiple levels.
● https://store.steampowered.com/app/1778060/Roll_For_Initiative/
EDUCATION
Master’s of Science, Game Design, Full Sail University, Salutatorian 2021
Bachelor’s of Science, Game Design, Full Sail University, Valedictorian 2020