Don Grout
Unity Gameplay & Systems Developer
403-660-5542
dongrout@yahoo.com
linkedin.com/in/dongrout
digitalriftgames.itch.io
digitalriftgames-labs.itch.io
teammathiasgames.itch.io
Summary
Unity developer with 8+ years building gameplay systems, interaction mechanics, UI frameworks, and real-time features for VR, PC, mobile, and WebGL. Strong in prototyping, modular architecture, physics-driven interactions, and scalable systems. Shipped titles across multiple genres and built complex 3D tools and interactive environments with rapid iteration and cross-platform optimization.
Technical Skills
- Programming: C#, .NET, LINQ, Unity APIs
- Gameplay Systems: interaction logic, state machines, input handling, physics, AI
- Game Engines: Unity, Godot (learning)
- Platforms: PC, Mobile, WebGL, Quest 2/3
- Architecture: modular, MV, data-driven
- UI/UX: Screen/world-space UI, Unity Toolkit, URP workflows
- Tools & Editors: custom inspectors, level tools, geometry systems
- Networking: Photon Fusion, Unity Netcode
- Performance: Profiling & optimization
- Version Control: Git, GitHub
Professional Experience
Unity Gameplay & Systems Developer — VR/PC/Mobile Projects
- Built interaction systems, physics-driven mechanics, and real-time gameplay features for VR & PC.
- Developed modular systems for menus, HUDs, tooltips, and in-game UI flows.
- Implemented equipment and object interaction logic using physics, triggers, and state machines.
- Iterated with designers to refine mechanics, pacing, and gameplay loops.
Unity Developer — 3D Tools, Interaction, and Gameplay Prototyping
- Built interactive 3D environments with object interaction, navigation, and inspection mechanics.
- Developed authoring tools and designer-friendly systems for building gameplay sequences.
- Created guided, semi-guided, and open-ended gameplay modes with branching logic.
- Optimized performance across PC, Quest, and mobile hardware.
Unity Apps Developer — 3D Home Design & Interaction Tools
- Built real-time 3D editing tools with drag-and-drop interaction, snapping, and placement logic.
- Engineered geometry systems for walls, corners, curved surfaces, and dynamic resizing.
- Designed intuitive user workflows for object placement, duplication, and manipulation.
Unity Games Developer — Indie Projects & Systems
- Shipped multiple titles across strategy, arcade, educational, and casual genres.
- Built gameplay systems for turn-based logic, AI logic, spawning, upgrades, and procedural content.
- Created touch-friendly UX, camera systems, and input handling for mobile titles.
- Developed modular frameworks for rapid prototyping across genres.
Expanded Experience
Gameplay Systems & Interaction
- Refined game feel through responsive controls, animation timing, and real-time feedback systems.
- Interaction mechanics using physics, triggers, and state machines.
- Object interaction frameworks for grabbing, manipulating, inspecting, and activating items.
- Real-time feedback systems: animations, audio cues, visual indicators.
- Modular systems for menus, HUDs, tooltips, and in-game UI flows.
Prototyping & Rapid Iteration
- Built prototypes for strategy, arcade, puzzle, and casual gameplay.
- Created reusable systems for turn-based logic, AI decision-making, and board generation.
- Designed upgrade systems, spawning logic, and performance-aware object management.
Tools & Editor Extensions
- Geometry and mesh-generation systems for walls, rooms, and curved surfaces.
- Custom inspectors, designer tools, and level-building utilities.
- Drag-and-drop placement tools with snapping, duplication, and alignment logic.
UI/UX & Player Experience
- Screen and world-space UI, HUDs, menus, tooltips, and contextual prompts.
- Floating labels, contextual prompts, and guided workflows adapted for gameplay.
- Input systems for VR controllers, mouse/keyboard, and touch devices.
Cross-Platform Optimization
- Profiling and optimizing gameplay systems for PC, mobile, WebGL, and VR.
- Reducing draw calls, batching, memory optimization, and asset tuning.
- Adapting controls and UX across platforms.
Career Timeline
Senior Unity VR Developer
UbiSim
Dec 2020 - May 2025
Montreal, QC (remote)
Montreal, QC (remote)
Unity & Unreal Engine VR Developer
ICOM Productions
May 2018 - Apr 2020
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Unity Developer
Picturethis3D
Apr 2017 - Aug 2019
Victoria, BC (remote)
Victoria, BC (remote)
AutoCAD Software Developer
Integrated Geomatics
Jan 2017 - Jun 2018
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
AutoCAD Software Developer
Longhorn Geomatics Limited
Nov 2015
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
AutoCAD Systems Management & Support
Vista-Mustang JV Corporation
Nov 2009 - Nov 2015
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
AutoCAD Systems Management & Support
Wood Group Mustang / IMV Projects Inc.
Dec 2007 - May 2009
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
AutoCAD Systems Management & Support
Upside Engineering
Feb 2006 - Dec 2007
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Education
| Unity Certified Professional: Programmer | |
|---|---|
| Unity Technologies |
Oct 2020 Calgary, AB |
| Android Developer | |
|---|---|
| Udacity |
Dec 2016 to Feb 2017 Online |
| Software Product Management | |
|---|---|
| Coursera |
Feb 2016 to May 2016 Online |
| Ongoing self-directed learning | |
|---|---|
| Game Dev Guide, Sasquatch B Studios, git-amend & Code Monkey |
Ongoing Online |