Hi, I’m Jason Kato
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.
Creative: Product design, Game design, Level design, UX design, Art direction.
Management: Product owner, Customer management.
Communication: English, Swedish, Japanese.
![](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/mockup-samsung-base-horisontal.png)
![](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/mockup-samsung-base-horisontal.png)
Laserix Puzzle Islands (iOS/Android)
Made by me in my one man team.
Featured on App Store
"New Games We Love" ❤
![](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/vr-mask-overlay.png)
![](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/oculus-headset.png)
![](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/oculus_controller1.png)
![](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/oculus-quest-2-controller-L.png)
Thievery (VR)
An escape room, made by me.
![](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/plugins/master-addons/assets/images/placeholder.png)
Portfolio
![Video trailer of soldiers using the Ground Combat Indoor Training simulator to train weapon handling.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/saab-gcidt.jpg)
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.
![Trainee using the simulator with NLAW](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/nlaw.jpg)
![A blurred out picture](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/gcidt-editor-classified.jpg)
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.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.
![Video of Wipeout Terra Nova, a UI/UX concept, here the in game view.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/wipeout-terranova-race.jpg)
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!
![Ship select screen light theme Ship select screen light theme](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/wipeout-terranova-light.jpg)
![Ship select screen dark theme Ship select screen dark theme](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/wipeout-terranova-dark.jpg)
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 (iOS, Android)](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/laserix-puzzle-islands-900x450-1.jpg)
![screenshot from a level showing a triforce](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/laserix-pi-zelda.jpg)
Can you tell I got inspiration for the art direction from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker?
![laser reflecting on mirrors](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/laserix-pi-level1.jpg)
First level gives away all the mirrors positions using hints, the player only need to figure out the rotations.
Web
2D
Flash AS 2.0
Mouse
PSP
2D
Lua script
Buttons
Android
3D
Unity C#
Touch
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.
![light sources in the style of zelda windwaker](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/laserix-pi-stencil.jpg)
Point light for diamonds and fireflies was made by creating a stencil shader.
![stylized water like zelda windwaker](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/laserix-pi-shader-color.jpg)
Water shader created a la windwaker.
Placeable tiles shown by animating the material color.
![level during night in stormy weather](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/laserix-grass-wind.jpg)
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.
![level inside a calm cave](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/laserix-pi-ambience.jpg)
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.
• Writing code.
• Design: Levels, UI/UX, Sound.
• Playtest.
• VFX: particle effects, light, shaders, models, post processing.
• Integrations: Social, ads, IAP.
• Localization.
Developing the game - Level design
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.•Draw calls optimization (UI),
•Timing, flow, animation, presentation.
Last call for
• Bug fixes
• Nice to have
• Level design issues
• PR material.
• Release!
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
![](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/jobsfornerds-screenshots-1.jpg)
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Creative: Product design, Product development, Graphic design.
AI: ChatGPT, DALLE-3, Fooocus.
2023-2024, ongoing development.
![Minimalistic User Interface in a Unity runtime terrain editor tool I designed and developed, underlining my proficiency in software development and UI/UX design.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/terrain-editor.jpg)
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
![Video of an Architectural Visualization showing A luxury Japanese apartment in a high rising building, made by me in Maya and Twinmotion.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/towermansion-1.jpg)
![3d model of apartment in Maya](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/tower-mansion-maya-small.jpg)
Maya, apartment was modelled and UV mapped.
![3d model of apartment in Twinmotion](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/tower-mansion-twinmotion-small.jpg)
Twinmotion, material adjustment, furnishing, lighting and presentation.
Creative: Presentation.
2023
![Action Puzzler VR game for Oculus Rift showing the player having a shoot out with a helicopter in a photorealistic setting.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/theivery.jpg)
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 🙂
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, a mobile casino game for Android and iOS, exemplifying my product owner skills in the gaming industry.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/featurev2.jpg)
![attack multiplier](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/002.jpg)
![new card received](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/004.jpg)
![level up](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/005.jpg)
![card collection](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/006.jpg)
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/
![A rice ball rolling down a green hill in a flat design. Onigiri is a 2D mobile platformer designed and developed by me in Unity for for Android and iOS.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/onigiri-1.jpg)
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.
![Coral painted BMW 330i 3D model. Modeled in Maya, visualized in Unreal Engine.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HighresScreenshot00044.jpg)
![BMW 330i exterior detail model BMW 330i exterior detail model](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HighresScreenshot00035.jpg)
![BMW 330i exterior White painted BMW 330i exterior](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HighresScreenshot00059.jpg)
Shaders and environment provided by Unreal Engine.
2006, 2022
![Trailer for A Light Bounce, a Minimalistic and unique 2D mobile platformer for Android, iOS](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/ALB-4.jpg)
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
Technical: 3D Modelling, Animation, Material Creation.
2023
![NetEnt Games Space Wars online casino slot](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/netent-spacewars.jpg)
![gonzos quest slot game](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/netent-gonzosquest.jpg)
Work also consisted of maintenance of many other slots.
![evolution slot game](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/evolution-1.jpg)
Evolution, another video slot I was part of from start.
Communication: Swedish, English.
NetEnt | Stockholm, Sweden | 2013
![Video of conceptual visualization of digital ad in a shopping mall I made as a freelancer. Showcasing my skills as motion artist.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/aeon-ad.jpg)
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
![Start page of Prova digital magazine](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/prova.jpg)
![Absolut Vodka bottle as a disco ball](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/scr_absolut_disco.jpg)
Absolut Vodka, featured in many issues, here as a contest.
![Bottle in front of graphics in hand drawn style](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/scr_france.jpg)
Reflections, very trendy at the time.
![Buildings were the lit windows makes the text PROVA](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/prova-1.jpg)
![Walking in the summer](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/prova-issue-08.jpg)
![Kronvodka in black and white design](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/kronvodka.jpg)
![A book turning a page](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/scr_beringer.jpg)
![Back](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/scr_celeb.jpg)
Creative: Motion design.
Communication: Swedish.
Ottoboni Group | Stockholm, Sweden | 2007-2009
![Collage of logos including Google, LG, Pernod Ricard and more](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/ads-etc-grey.png)
![A laptop from LG](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/lg-laptop.jpg)
![A winebox on a beach](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/chill-out-1.jpg)
Creative: Motion design.
Communication: Swedish.
Ottoboni Group | Stockholm, Sweden | 2007-2009
![Advertisement in Japanese for Pom! Pom! Pom! A punishing and rewarding unique puzzle / rhythm mobile game (iOS, Android) designed and developed in Unity by me, emphasizing my capabilities as a product designer and developer.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fb_share.png)
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
![User Interface/User Experience (UX/UI) design for a Japanese-market mobile app concept, demonstrating my capabilities in software design and development.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/laundry-day.jpg)
Creative: Original Idea. UI/UX. Art direction.
2023.
Technical: 3D Modelling, Material Creation.
Creative: Art direction.
2023
![Different shapes in gold, silver and blue under foam and bubbles. Procedurally made in Unity using HDRP.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/shapegen2.jpg)
![different objects in pink](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/shapegen-small-3.jpg)
![strawberries, foam, marbles](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/shapegen-small-1.jpg)
Creative: Art direction.
2022
![Cover of an interior digital magazine](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/fpo_startPage.jpg)
![Skanska meet our people](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/skanska-career-1.jpg)
![A timeline showing Skanska's projects](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/skanska-sustainable-2.jpg)
![An interactive map on Skanska's website](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/skanska-map-small.jpg)
![Web application](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/lf-bonus-3-1.jpg)
![Actor standing in front of servers reminding of the Matrix scene with rows of weapons](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/northern-post.jpg)
![Actor with green background](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/northern-film.jpg)
Communication: Swedish.
Ottoboni Group | Stockholm, Sweden | 2007-2011
![Puzzle platformer in pixel style for iOS/Android. Made in Unity by me.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/chicken.jpg)
Technical: Programming (C#), Android.
Creative: Original Idea, Prototyping, Design (Game, Level, Graphic, Sound, Motion, UI/UX), Art direction, VFX.
2019
![In game screenshots showing start menu, UI/UX and a level, A unique mobile puzzle for Android/iOS designed and developed by me in Unity.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/honey-rush.jpg)
Technical: Programming (C#), Android.
Creative: Original Idea, Prototyping, Design (Game, Level, Graphic, Sound, Motion, UI/UX), Art direction, VFX.
2021
Awesome brands I worked on
![Logo of Pernod Ricard](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-pernod-ricard.png)
![Skanska, a multinational construction and development company](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-skanska.png)
![SVT, Swedish Television](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-svt.png)
![Logo of Länsförsäkringar](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-lf.png)
![Logo of Google](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-google.png)
![Logo of LG](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-lg.png)
&
Awesome companies I worked at
![Logo of Saab](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-saab-1.png)
Saab Dynamics - Training & Simulation
Saab is a Swedish aerospace and defence company, founded in 1937 with 19,000+ employees all over the world.
![A Nice Company web agency](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo_anice.png)
![NetEnt Games Better Gaming. An online Casino Game provider.](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-netent-1.png)
Net Entertainment
A supplier of digitally distributed gaming systems used by some of the world’s most successful online gaming operators.
![Logo of Ottoboni web agency](https://jasonkato.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-ottoboni-1.png)
Ottoboni Group
A bigger web agency in Stockholm, Sweden, that was later acquired.