With over 10 years of professional development experience in gaming, simulation, and entertainment, I have worked in cross-functional Scrum teams at enterprise companies and independently as a one-man team.
Comfortable in both technical and creative roles, my interests span programming, game design, level design, UX design, art direction, production design and more.
Unity
Visual Studio
Photoshop
Maya
Figma
Twinmotion
After Effects
Substance Painter
Technical:
Programming, Prototyping, C#, Technical art, 3D modeling, VR, Mobile, Game and Software development.
Creative:
Product design, Game design, Level design, UX design, Art direction.
Management:
Product owner, Customer management.
Communication:
English, Swedish, Japanese.
Laserix Puzzle Islands (iOS/Android) Made by me in my one man team.
Featured on App Store "New Games We Love" ❤
Thievery (VR) An escape room, made by me.
Portfolio
Ground Combat Indoor Trainer | Simulation
Unity
Visual Studio
Adobe XD
Azure DevOps
Sourcetree
At Saab Training and Simulation I developed a military weapon training simulator, enabling trainees to fire replicas at a projected 3D environment.
Responsibilities included development on the client and host of the main product using Unity, designing and developing the scenario editor (including UX, prototype development, and product development), creating scenarios, and managing ad hoc customer needs.
Work was performed on-site in Sweden, in Czechia, and remotely with cross-functional teams.
Support for NLAW (picture), CGM4 with different ammo and small arms.
A beautiful, informative and cool video showcasing the Scenario Editor.
Saab Group is Swedish aerospace and defense company with
19,000 employes around the world.
The teams that were involved in my project changed a lot during the time but about 3 scrum teams, excluding managers and hardware.
Some of my contributions beyond daily development tasks that helped me exceed my employer's expectations was:
Presentation
Presentation of exercise results, to attract people during for industry events. There was no such requirement but I felt there was a need during some downtime.
UX
Highly improved UX thanks to a Target Indicator system I designed and implemented in my free time.
Customer Management
I flew to meet a customer for a week and work on our scenario delivery together. It was highly appreciated and we could deliver to a happy customer.
Prototyping
After a study of different technologies by my team, I single-handedly designed and developed a working prototype for the Scenario Editor in Unity over a span of three months.
Technical:
Programming (C#, Scenario scripting), Scrum.
Creative:
Product design, Prototyping, UI/UX design.
Management:
Component owner, Customer management.
Communication:
Swedish, English.
Saab Training and Simulation
| Sweden, Czech Republic, Remote | 2018-2021
All copyright belongs to Saab.
Wipeout Terra Nova | UI/UX
Photoshop
Maya
Figma
Twinmotion
After Effects
Inspired by games like Wipeout, Ridge Racer and Ace Combat, I designed a simple high concept UX and placed it in a conceptual game.
The ship selection screen features two different themes - a light one and a dark one, centered around the controller, acting as natural pit stops in the user's journey.
In addition an in-game UI was created aiming to balance information and minimalism.
Wipeout has gone offroad!
Technical:
3D asset adjustments.
Creative:
Original Idea, UI/UX. Conceptual design, Art direction, Motion graphics.
Ship models and original texture by Swiss_Fox. | 2023.
Laserix : Puzzle Islands | Mobile game
Unity
Visual Studio
Photoshop
Maya
Audacity
Made in my one man team – Featured on App Store “New Games We Love”. Laserix is a relaxing light reflection puzzler where you catch gems by reflecting lasers.
Can you tell I got inspiration for the art direction from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker?
First level gives away all the mirrors positions using hints, the player only need to figure out the rotations.
I released the first Laserix in 2003 with Puzzle Islands being the 4th in the series.
2003
Web
2D
Flash AS 2.0
Mouse
2005
PSP
2D
Lua script
Buttons
2015
Android
3D
Unity C#
Touch
2017
Android, iOS
3D
Unity C#
Touch
The spark for Laserix
The idea came from a concept shared by a friend, who I also coaxed into creating a handful of levels across the Laserix series.
I took the initial idea and let it evolve freely in my mind. This wasn't just a game to me, but an adventurous foray into coding, design and yes, a bit of math...
Development of Puzzle Islands
Minor prototyping
Core mechanics already set from previous versions.
Prototyping potential new gameplay mechanics.
Art direction
Mood board and references.
Inspiration from Zelda Windwaker (GC) and Lara croft Go (Mobile).
Exploring technical solutions for light, grass and water.
Technical art and asset development (Unity's built in render pipeline)
Exploring technical solutions
for light, grass and water.
Assets were created using Maya, Photoshop, and Unity.
Shaders with art direction and technical limitations like draw calls in mind.
Point light for diamonds and fireflies was made by creating a stencil shader.
Water shader created a la windwaker.
Placeable tiles shown by animating the material color.
Grass low poly modelled in Maya, sways in “the wind” by rotation. One draw call for all grass if I’m not mistaken.
Stormy water with big waves.
Light rays made with a textured quad.
Arrows animated by their UV.
I could change the ambience by my premade conditions like night, rain, wind, sound.
Here clear calm water. Purple key light.
Developing the game
Developing assets and developing the game was In parallel with creative or technical tasks depending on feel of the day and need.
Level design can make or break a game, especially puzzles where it's all too easy for players to get stuck.
In Laserix puzzles are not just important, they are everything, and that's what makes it so enjoyable to work on the level design. Even a seemingly obvious solution for a player can transform into a mind-bending challenge with just a slight tweak.
Not being a fan of hand-holding tutorials in games, I designed a smooth learning curve that seamlessly introduced new mechanics once players became comfortable with the previous ones, but always ensuring that they still had to think for themselves.
Towards the end hardcore puzzle solvers will also face a flurry of relentless, crafted puzzles. There's no procedural generation - each puzzle was designed to challenge and entertain.
Polish and Optimization
Optimization also took place during the whole process, when developing assets and the game, with an eye on the FPS, draw calls and Unity's Profiler.
Technical:
Programming (C#), iOS, Android, Built in render pipeline, Audacity.
Creative:
Original Idea, Prototyping, Design (Game, Level, Graphic, Sound, Product, UI/UX), Art direction, VFX.
Management:
Project, Product, PR.
Communication:
Japanese, English.
Made in my one man team @ A nice company | Japan | 2017
I created a job search platform for tech enthusiasts and creatives, blending pre-existing templates with custom elements.
Applied nerd-centric design principles to evolve the platform into a tailored space for nerds, with ongoing development shaping its unique identity.
Recruiters and Employers!
Are you seeking to advertise job openings? Consider JobsforNerds.com for your recruitment needs. Enter the code "jasonkato.com" during checkout to receive a 10% discount on your ad package.
A basic terrain editor I made during a week and the first time I used AI as work tools, it was very rewarding!
Paint the terrain to raise/lower or use a tile selection tool and adjust the height. Try it in your desktop browser. Technical: Programming (C#), Unity URP/WebGL, Shadergraph.
Creative:
UX design, UI design, Art direction.
AI:
ChatGPT, Midjourney, Skybox Labs.
2023
Tower Mansion | Architectural Visualization
Maya
Twinmotion
An apartment I had the pleasure of staying in. The video shows the living room/open kitchen.
Maya, apartment was modelled and UV mapped.
Twinmotion, material adjustment, furnishing, lighting and presentation.
Technical:
3D modelling, Lighting, Visualization.
Creative:
Presentation.
2023
Thievery | VR game
Unity
Visual Studio
Photoshop
Maya
Audacity
An action filled escape room puzzler with focus on realism and such it contains everything from an episode of Popeye to a shoot-out with a helicopter.
This was my first real venture into VR and it taught me a lot about developing a game for the platform.
Most 3D assets were premade but had to be processed for my game.
Modeling
Adapting models in Maya for VR.
Modelling drawers, doors, handles, inside of objects and simple objects.
Windows panes was pre shattered in Blender.
Textures
UV mapping, texture if needed, creating colliders.
Unity
Add and configure joints and scripts to make it interactive with the engine.
as well as custom game logic code like sound and particle material, inspired by CRYENGINE 🙂
Technical:
Programming (C#), Oculus rift.
Creative:
Original Idea, Prototyping, Design (Game, Level, Graphic, Sound, Product, UI/UX), Art direction, VFX.
Management:
Project, Product.
Made in my one man team, from idea to finished product @ Anicecompany | Japan | 2017-2018
Slot Fighter | Mobile game
Unity
Visual Studio
Photoshop
Illustrator
Audacity
A new spin on the slot. All game logic is done on the server.
Technical:
Programming (C#, PHP), iOS, Android.
Creative:
Original Idea, Prototyping, Design (Game, Level, Graphic, Sound, Motion, UI/UX), Art direction, VFX.
Management:
Project, Product.
Communication:
Japanese, English.
Made in my one man team @ A nice company | Japan | 2017
Music by Hayato.
Character art by https://jewel-s.jp/
Onigiri | Mobile game
Unity
Visual Studio
Photoshop
Maya
Illustrator
Audacity
Escape the rice ball factory, roll down the green hills, up the freezing mountains and watch out for the lava in the volcano. Unluck new abilities such ground bash, dash and air jump. Onigiri is a 2D platformer controlled by swiping. With inspiration from games like from Super Mario Bros, Kirby and Metroid it was developed for Mobile (Android/iOS) but unfortunately not released. One day I would like to have the opportunity to complete it and release for mobile and handhelds such as Steam deck.
Technical:
Programming (C#), iOS, Android.
Creative:
Original Idea, Prototyping, Design (Game, Level, Graphic, Sound, Motion, UI/UX), Art direction, VFX.
Management:
Project, Product, Testing.
Communication:
Japanese, English.
Made in my one man team @ A nice company | Japan | 2016. Concept art by Ryo. Music by Hayato.
BMW 330i | 3D Modeling
Unreal
Photoshop
Maya
I modeled a BMW 330i in 2006 as part of my examination. The model, originally rendered at 45min a frame, here recaptured in much better quality - in real time - thanks to Unreal Engine.
Technical:
3D Modeling.
Shaders and environment provided by Unreal Engine.
2006, 2022
A Light Bounce | Mobile game
Unity
Visual Studio
Photoshop
Illustrator
Audacity
A unique platformer where you rotate the world around you and the lesser you do the higher you score. Technical:
Programming (C#), iOS, Android.
Creative:
Original Idea, Prototyping, Design (Game, Level, Graphic, Sound, Motion, UI/UX), Art direction, VFX.
Management:
Project, Product, Testing, PR.
Made in my one man team @ A nice company | Japan | 2016
A Boo-tiful ghost | 3D Modeling
Maya
Substance 3D Painter
Boo!
Technical:
3D Modelling, Animation, Material Creation.
2023
NetEnt Games | Online Casino
Flash
Development of new online casino video slots as part of team of 10 people working at NetEnt in Stockholm. Close collaboration with programmers, graphic designers, testers, backend, sound designer, scrum master and product owner.
Work also consisted of maintenance of many other slots.
Evolution, another video slot I was part of from start.
Technical:
Programming (AS3), Jira, Subversion, Scrum.
Communication:
Swedish, English.
NetEnt | Stockholm, Sweden | 2013
Digital Advertisement | Motion Graphics
Twinmotion
After Effects
Production of a digital advertising campaign for a hospital.
My role involved concept and animation in After Effects with the end product displayed on digital signage at Aeon Mall.
Afterwards I contextualized the ad in Twinmotion.
Creative:
Concept, Motion graphics, Digital twin mock up.
Communication:
Japanese.
2023
Prova Magasin | Web 2.0
Flash
Photoshop
Maya
In collaboration with project managers, art directors and copywriters, we created multiple issues of an interactive digital inspiration magazine, specifically curated for Vin & Sprit / Pernod Ricard. My contribution spanned across strategizing of content planning, programming, animating and 3D modelling. Winner of the Guldbladet Award in 2009.
Absolut Vodka, featured in many issues, here as a contest.
Animated in Flash and Maya.
Reflections, very trendy at the time.
Technical:
Programming (AS2/AS3) and animation.
Creative:
Motion design.
Communication:
Swedish.
Ottoboni Group | Stockholm, Sweden | 2007-2009
Campaigns, contests, banners | Web 2.0
Flash
Photoshop
Maya
A few samples of campaign and ad work I worked on at Ottoboni Group in Stockholm.
LG Development of web contests for LG.
Chill Out Modelling of wineboxes and Flash development for chill out wine's website.
Technical:
Programming (AS2/AS3) and animation.
Creative:
Motion design.
Communication:
Swedish.
Ottoboni Group | Stockholm, Sweden | 2007-2009
POM POM POM | Mobile game
Unity
Visual Studio
Photoshop
Illustrator
Audacity
A punishing but rewarding touch and swipe game in 2D where the player works in a rice ball factory and needs to sort rice balls by color. Technical:
Programming (C#), iOS, Android.
Creative:
Original Idea, Prototyping, Design (Game, Level, Graphic, Sound, Motion, UI/UX), Art direction, VFX.
Management:
Project, Product, Testing, PR.
Communication:
Japanese, English.
Made in my one man rice-ball-making factory team @ A nice company | Japan | 2016
Diving in Egypt | Visual Storytelling
Vegas
As someone who appreciate timing and narrative flow I also appreciate editing videos sometimes. Here's a friend's and his, at the time, new girlfriend's vacation to Egypt, because why not edit other peoples vacations.
Creative:
Video editing.
2013
Laundry Day | UI/UX
Figma
High concept UX and UI design for a mobile app.
Creative:
Original Idea. UI/UX. Art direction.
2023.
Key | 3D Modeling
Maya
Substance 3D Painter
Heavy and foreboding, this key beckons to be turned, whispering of hidden truths behind a locked door.
Its purpose remains shrouded, a mystery intertwined with the ominous echoes of survival horror.
Technical:
3D Modelling, Material Creation.
Creative:
Art direction.
2023
Procedural Art | $1,000,000 JPEGs
Unity
Visual Studio
Maya
Generation of abstract patterns using sliders to change noise, shapes and colors.
Technical:
Programming (C#), Unity HDRP, PC.
Creative:
Art direction.
2022
Corporate | Web 2.0
Flash
Photoshop
Maya
In collaboration with art directors, project managers and copywriters, I worked as a Flash developer on multiple corporate, consumer and sustainability websites.
Career page for Skanska, a multinational construction and development company based in Sweden.
A timeline presentation of Skanska's work for a Sustainable development.
Technical:
Programming (AS2/AS3) and animation.
Communication:
Swedish.
Ottoboni Group | Stockholm, Sweden | 2007-2011
The Untold Legend of Chicken | Mobile game
Unity
Visual Studio
Photoshop
Audacity
A continuation of A Light Bounce, a game I made for mobile, but in another style and with some different mechanics to make it easier.
Technical:
Programming (C#), Android.
Creative:
Original Idea, Prototyping, Design (Game, Level, Graphic, Sound, Motion, UI/UX), Art direction, VFX.
2019
Honey Rush | Mobile game
Unity
Visual Studio
Photoshop
Maya
Audacity
A tricky original mobile puzzler.
Technical:
Programming (C#), Android.
Creative:
Original Idea, Prototyping, Design (Game, Level, Graphic, Sound, Motion, UI/UX), Art direction, VFX.
2021
