GAL AFIK

Software Engineer | Game Developer

My Resume

Welcome!

About Me

Welcome to my portfolio! I'm Gal Phillip Afik, a passionate game developer with a love for crafting immersive experiences. Here, you'll find a showcase of my work, from intricate VR simulations to indie game projects. Whether you're here to explore innovative gameplay mechanics, admire creative level designs, or simply dive into unique worlds, I invite you to check out and play the games listed at the bottom of the page. Your feedback and enjoyment mean the world to me—thank you for stopping by!

My specialties

Skills

Full-Stack Engineering

While most of my work is proprietary and can't be shared, some of my personal projects are available on the web! Check out my work on GitHub to see some of my coding samples.

Game Design

I started making games in high school and have now founded Mythos Interactive, an indie studio specializing in GameMaker Studio, Unity, and Unreal. Check out our latest game below!

Web Development

I have worked on everything from personal projects (including this site) to development efforts for Snyder's Pretzels, Dixon Valve, and Smithsonian Institute.

Graphic Art

I use the Adobe Creative Suite as well as Inkscape and GIMP 2.0 for all sorts of logo, user interface, and photography touch-up design.

What have I done?

Professional Experience

Virtual Heroes, a Division of Applied Research Associates

Staff Serious Games Developer

Nov 2020 - July 2024

  • Developed VR/MR game-based training and educational simulations that target public and private sector clients.
  • Led projects using Unreal Engine, specializing in Blueprints and native C++ development.
  • Collaborated closely with art and design teams to iterate on gameplay features and prototypes.
  • Designed and implemented intuitive UI/UX features and enhanced NPC interactions.
  • Spearheaded the integration of MetaSounds technology for enhanced audio realism.
  • Facilitated client meetings, product demos, and attended industry conferences for customer outreach.
  • Promoted team cohesion through organization of social events and off-hour communications.

Mythos Interactive

Founder

Mar 2019 - Present

  • Founded and operate a studio specializing in 2D and 3D game development using Unity and Unreal Engine.
  • Received Editor’s Choice accolade on Simmer.io for innovative game designs.
  • Directed the design and implementation of UI/UX, audio, assets, and gameplay mechanics.
  • Managed a small multidisciplinary team including designers, producers, and testers.
  • Led post-release marketing campaigns and community engagement efforts.

Deutsche Bank

Software Engineer

Feb 2019 - Nov 2020

  • Developed and maintained SQL Server Integration Services for critical financial Oracle databases.
  • Managed version control procedures and pipelines for international teams.
  • As Scrum Master, led sprint rituals in an agile environment for an international team based out of the US, London, and India.
  • As Technical Information Security Officer, oversaw security-related approvals and operations for projects.
  • Organized team engagement events including a global hackathon with 200+ participants.

Zaniac Learning

Campus Coordinator

Sep 2018 - Feb 2019

  • Instructed STEM-based programs for K-8 students, focusing on game design, programming, and robotics.
  • Supervised daily operations, ensuring campus efficiency and student safety.

Quotient, Inc.

Associate Developer

May 2016 - May 2018

  • Developed a NoSQL database management system that controlled Smithsonian Institution proprietary artifact records data.
  • Created a configurable education and training center that allows site users to view richly formatted multimedia courses and participate in assessments and online group projects.
  • Designed content management interfaces for museum exhibits, enhancing visitor experiences.

Mindgrub Technologies

Web Development Intern

Jun 2013 - Dec 2013

  • Designed a mobile game for Snyder's Pretzels using built-in device accelerometer and gyroscopic sensors.
  • Implemented a mobile application for Polk Audio using an HTML5/JavaScript and a Bluetooth LTE web API that controls wireless speakers and allows users to set up song playlists cooperatively.

Why is this here? Who has testimonials?

Testimonials

Gal possess one of the most creative and analytical minds I have had the pleasure of working with. His passion and drive are only matched by the skillfulness and quality of his work. In my time knowing him as a coworker and friend, he has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty to care for others, help make the world a better place, and further his business and that of those around him.

- Joshua Connor

Gal is a hard worker and has shown great passion in his work. He tackles difficult challenges and thinks outside of the box when conventional solutions do not work. Gal also excels at conferences when talking to other developers and presenting to customers. I relied on Gal’s VR expertise to help design and implement a solid user experience for his VR projects.

- Oliver Gray

Stop calling this number. I already told you I don't know you. No, I won't leave a review!

- A close personal friend and mentor

What tools do I use?

Applications

The following games engines are the cornerstones of many of my projects. While I have intermediate mastery over many of their features, I always strive to expand my knowledge and aquire new skills as I grow. Many of my latest projects using these engines can be found below!

I use Unreal Engine 5 on a daily basis. I have become quite skilled with Blueprints and native code and am often tasked with implementing UI widgets, MetaSounds, Blendspaces, Materials, and Niagara effects.
My range of experience with Unity spans everything from design to publication. I am experienced with both the backend C# architechture and the front-facing design tools such as Shader Graph, Particle Graph, and ProBuilder.
Godot is my newest passion project. Godot 4, in particular, reminds me of the earlier days of Unity and seems to be just the right mix of simplicity and power for smaller projects and web-hosted games.
GameMaker has been a favorite tool of mine for many years. I have built many games in this engine and have taught multiple courses in the fundumentals of game design, logic, and even mathematics, all using GameMaker Studio and its predecessors.

What am I up to?

Projects

Sword vs Squash

Platform: Windows, WebGL2.0 Engine: Unity 6
Genre: Action/Arcade, Physics

Soar through a charming medieval village as a mysteriously animated sword with an inexplicable grudge against glowing, magical pumpkins. Master the art of aerial combat and destroy enchanted gourds before time runs out! Why are you a sword? What's the deal with these pumpkins? The answers await those who explore this whimsical world... and for the truly adventurous, a secret lies hidden deep in the icy mountains. Created for the Pirate Software Game Jam 16 in under 4 days. May your aim be true!

Hefty Heights

Platform: Windows, WebGL Engine: Unity
Genre: Puzzle, Arcade, Casual

Test your stacking skills and precision as you carefully balance everyday objects to hit the perfect weight. Every move counts in this thrilling challenge of balance and strategy! This project was originally created during the GMTK 2024 game jam in just under 96 hours. The game was not entered into the jam, but remains in the state it was in during the jam with no major alterations.

Virtual Heroes: VR-TAK

Platform: Windows, Meta Quest 2/3/Pro, Valve Index Engine: Unreal Engine 4/5
Genre: First Person Simulation

The Virtual Tactical Assault Kit or Virtual Team Awareness Kit (VR-TAK) is a multiuser Virtual Reality tool for mission planning, rehearsal, and situational awareness. VR-TAK has received regular feature updates since 2020 that have been deployed to tens of thousands of users in the TAK ecosystem. As part of the Virtual Heroes team, I contributed to the development and maintenance of several plugins and core features and was largely responsible for the continued development of VR and MR features for this project.

The World That Lies Below

Platform: PCVR (Meta Quest 2, Pro, 3) Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Genre: Puzzle

The World That Lies Below is a semi-documentary-esque peek into the world of juvenile sea turtles and the many dangers that haunt them. It is a virtual reality puzzle experience that challanges the player to use their cosmic powers of planetary manipulation to help guide sea turtle hatchlings to the safety of the ocean waves.

To The Last

Platform: Windows Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Genre: First Person Shooter

In To The Last your dice are your biggest weapon. The Diceslinger is a fearsome cowboy who uses magical dice as ammunition. Reload your shotgun with dice and blast your demonic enemies right back to Hell, but be warned, if you run out of dice, it's Game Over. This game was created for the GMTK Game Jam 2022 in just 48 hours. Thank you for playing it!

25 Vikings

Platform: Windows Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Genre: Real-time Strategy

Fight to the bitter, icy end as you control a clan of desperate Vikings captured by the hordes of Helheim. Brave the cold and free your warrior brothers and sisters as you battle the enemies of the All Father. This game was made for Ludum Dare 50, a 72 hour game making competition.

Harold's Harrowing Heroics

Platform: PCVR (Meta Quest 2, Pro, 3, Valve Index) Engine: Unreal Engine 4.27
Genre: Action

In this quick-thinking action VR game, you'll find yourself trapped in a perilous and magical castle, surrounded by hordes of goo-like slime monsters! Be wary, for the ever-expanding slimes have taken over and you may quickly run out of space!

All other assets were created with in a 1 week timespan for the Epic MegaJam (2021)

Internal Medicine

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, HTML5 Engine: Unity
Genre: Action

Internal Medicine is my submission to the Extra Credits Jam 2020. The theme of the jam was "Take Care". Play as a young professional in the medical industry as she struggles with taking care of her ailing patients, while attempting to maintain a modicum of sanity.

The Case of the Deviant Detective

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, HTML5 Engine: Unity
Genre: Puzzle

✸Brackeys Game Jam 2020.2: 3rd Place Winner✸

The Case of the Deviant Detective is Mythos Interactive's Brackeys Game Jam 2020.2 Submission. We built the game from scratch in just under 7 days. The theme was "Rewind". The Case of the Deviant Detective puts a new spin on the Noir mystery drama of the early 20th century. Follow the case work of Charlie, a new detective on the force, whose Uncle happens to be a part of the mafia, and needs you to do something for him.

Runaway Robot

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, HTML5 Engine: Unity
Genre: Puzzle

✸GMTK 2020 Game Jam: 225th Place✸

This was my submission for the GMTK 2020 Game Jam, a 48-hour game making competition. The theme was "Out of Control". Help these little robots find their way in the world. Test your smarts in this cute and cuddly robotic adventure! What could go wrong?

Terminal Charge

Platform: Windows Engine: Unity
Genre: Action, Arcade

✸Simmer.io Editor's Choice✸

✸Ludum Dare 46: 168th Place✸

"Terminal Charge" is my submission to the Ludum Dare 46 game jam. The theme was "Keep It Alive". This game was designed and built from the ground up in 72 hours. In "Terminal Charge", players take on the role of a desperate air-traveler as they zig zag through a busy airport while attempting to reach their gate and keep their phone alive. Rush from outlet to outlet and evade your fellow pedestrians as you make your way to your gate. But beware, gate changes are frequent and this airport was built by a madman!

Kinoko Dash

Platform: Android Engine: Unity
Genre: Action, Arcade

Kinoko Dash is a fast-paced, action-packed casual mobile game that tasks players with slaying a horde of incoming mushroom creatures and using their succulant bodies to concoct delicious recipes!

Prepare to Re-Pair!

Platform: PC Engine: Unity
Genre: Puzzle Features: Local co-op

This game is my submission to the Global Game Jam 2020, hosted by Imangi Studios. The theme was "Repair". Prepare to Re-Pair!" is the story of two lonely magnets, lost in the world and searching for love. Players will race against the clock to reach their electrically charged buddies! Navigate mazes and solve puzzles to find your pair "re-pair" your friendship!

Unnamed Chicken Game

Platform: PC Engine: Unity
Genre: Action/Adventure Features: Open-world, Puzzle solving, Arcade combat

The title of this game is not a reference to the immensely popular "Untitled Goose Game", I swear! I actually started working on this action-adventure, family-friendly game weeks ago and have been learning the ins and outs of Unity as I go. In this game, which shall remain untitled for now, you play as a mother hen searching for her lost chicks, both competing against and getting help from various farm-yard animals as well as fighting off the monsterous foes that lurk underground. This game is not yet ready to demo, but as soon as it is you should come back to grab a copy! I'll have it linked below.

Stars: Transmission

Platform: PC Engine: Game Maker v.3
Genre: Puzzle, Arcade Features: Local co-op (up to 4 players!)

While not incredibly impressive, technologically speaking, "Stars: Transmission" was the first game I made. This 1 - 4 player puzzle game was made in Game Maker all the way back in 2007 and was my very first introduction to the world of game design. All art assets, programming, and design work was done by me and it is a wonderful example of how far I've come in my game dev journey! Feel free to download the executable below and give it a try but, fair warning, you'll want to turn down your headphones!

Download

Ingenuity: A Game for "Clever" People

Platform: Tabletop Genre: Party, Story-telling

Ingenuity was my first foray into the world of tabletop gaming. In Ingenuity, players take turns saving the world! Each turn begins with a yellow "Disaster" card being drawn from the Situation deck, followed by each player selecting 3 unique "Item" cards from their hand. Each player then regails the group with the story of how they solved the disasterous situation using their items. The group votes on a funniest, most creative, or wackiest story and that player wins the round! The Ingenuity Kickstarter campaign, while ultimately unsuccessful, did lead to the creation of multiple prototypes as pictured below. Some say copies of the game are still somewhere out there to this very day!

Kickstarter Campaign

Miscellaneous Work

Shader Practice

Below are a few examples of my recent work with Unity's Shader Graph plug-in. These were built entirely in-engine and are fully customizable using the Unity inspector.

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