Katrin Mair

Passionate Game Programmer focusing on AI and Gameplay

ExperiencesProjects

Gameplay Programmer with nearly 4 years of AAA studio experience, specialising in C++ and Unreal Engine.
Experienced in taking technical ownership of core gameplay mechanics and AI systems, from early design ideas and prototypes through to reliable, maintainable implementations. My work spans player-facing features, AI behaviour, gameplay systems, and designer-facing workflows.

Comfortable working across disciplines, partnering closely with design, art, animation, QA, and production to turn complex creative ideas into robust systems that are practical to test, tune, and iterate on.

Experiences

Work Experience

Ninja Theory

Gameplay Programmer

Oct 2023 - Present - 3 years 10 months

  • Implemented and maintained player-facing gameplay systems in Unreal Engine using C++ and Blueprints for AAA PC and Xbox development.
  • Took technical ownership of a core interactable object system, building the underlying code structure and workflows used for player-to-world interactions.
  • Developed stealth and out-of-combat AI behaviour, including AI perception logic and Smart Object-based environmental interactions.
  • Built configurable enemy wave and combat encounter setup systems to support encounter flow, testing, debugging, and iteration.
  • Took ownership of a major player-facing gameplay mechanic, developing the technical approach and supporting technical design from early ideas through prototyping, implementation, debugging, and iteration.
  • Collaborated closely with design, animation, art, QA, and production to keep features aligned with gameplay goals, usability needs, and production constraints.
  • Supported fast iteration through clear setup, useful defaults, debugging tools, task notes, handoff documentation, and production workflows using Perforce, Jira, Swarm/code reviews, Sentry, and CI build monitoring.

Junior Gameplay Programmer

Sep 2022 - Oct 2023 - 1 year 2 months

  • Developed AI behaviour that responded to player actions, positioning, and environmental context.
  • Prototyped speech-to-text driven interaction features for direct player-to-character communication using conversational language understanding (CLU) models.
  • Worked closely with design on first-person interaction systems shaped by cinematic and narrative requirements.
  • Turned experimental AI and interaction ideas into working Unreal prototypes for testing and iteration.
Actionwerk eU

Game Development & Virtual Reality Intern

Sep 2018 - Dec 2018 - 4 months

  • Designed and implemented VR interaction and gameplay mechanics across multiple VR hardware devices using Unreal Engine, C++, and Blueprints.
  • Developed an experimental Unity machine-learning prototype focused on training a spider character to walk through learned movement behaviour.

Education

University of Applied Sciences Salzburg

Master of Science in Computer Science (M.Sc.)

Sep 2019 - Feb 2022

  • Specialised in Game Development & Augmented Reality
  • Grade: 1.51 (Equivalent to UK First-Class Honours / US 3.7 GPA)
Master Final Examination Certificate
Diploma Supplement
University of Applied Sciences Salzburg

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.Sc.)

Sep 2016 - Jul 2019

  • Specialised in Game Development & Augmented Reality
  • Grade: 1.88 (Equivalent to UK Upper Second-Class Honours [2:1] / US 3.4 GPA)
  • Awards:
  • Apr 2018 - First place in EYA Social (VR) Hackathon
  • Dec 2018 - Participation in Global VR Hackathon Championship

Skills

Game Programming

C++, C#, Unreal & Unity

VR Experience

HTC Vive & Oculus Rift

UI / UX

Principal Theories and Research

Computer Graphics

Principal Theories and Development in HLSL
  • Game Engines: Unreal Engine 4, Unity3D
  • Programming Languages: C++, C#, Java, Python
  • Game Programming, Game Development
  • User Interface Programming
  • Version Control Systems: Git, Perforce
  • Virtual Reality
  • Computer Graphics
  • Software Design Patterns
  • Software Architecture
  • Game Engine Architecture
  • Software Project Managment
  • Game Design
  • User Experience
  • User Interface Design
  • Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator
  • Digital Illustration, Photography

Projects

Student Projects

Octarina

Dec 2019 - Jun 2021

Team of 12

#unrealengine4 #c++

Game Developer, UI Programmer, Game Designer, Project Manager

Singleplayer, third-person physics-based 3D puzzle platformer game

  • Designed and implemented gameplay mechanics in C++ and Blueprints in Unreal
  • Implemented Steam integration for achievements and leaderboards
  • Worked closely with artists to designed and implemented UI using Unreal Motion Graphics UI Designer
  • Created shader and VFX using UE4 Cascade
  • Executed various project management duties like project deadlines and scrum meetings
  • Marketed game on social media
  • Released game on Steam
Lodestone

Jan 2019 - Jun 2019

Team of 9

#unrealengine4 #c++ #vr

Game Developer, UI Programmer, Game Designer

Singleplayer, virtual reality action spellcaster game

  • Designed and implemented gameplay mechanics in C++ and Blueprints in Unreal
  • Designed and implemented UI suited VR game
  • Created shader and VFX using UE4 Cascade
  • Released game on Steam
Pipe it up

May 2018 (1 Week)

Team of 3

#unity #csharp

Game Developer, UI Programmer, Game Designer

Singleplayer, third-person 3D puzzle platformer game

  • Designed and implemented gameplay mechanics in C#
  • Designed and implemented UI
MouseSquared

Jan 2018 (1 Week)

Team of 2

#c++ #sfml #customengine

Game Developer, UI Programmer, Game Designer

Singleplayer, 2D platformer game

  • Implemented custom C++ engine based on SFML
  • Designed and implemented gameplay mechanics in C++
  • Designed and implemented UI
SoulTree

Mar 2017 - April 2017

Team of 1

#csharp #monogame

Game Developer, UI Programmer, Game Designer

Singleplayer, virtual reality action spellcaster game

  • Implemented a custom engine in C# with Monogame
  • Designed and implemented gameplay mechanics in C#

Octarina

Game Type:
Puzzle Platformer
Language:
C++ & Blueprints
Engine:
Unreal Engine 4.24
Duration:
19 Months
Team size:
(Core Team)
4 Programmers &
1 Artists

Octarina is a physics-based 3D puzzle platformer featuring a trapped little octopus who must find a way out and escape out of a sushi factory site.
You play as an adorable little octopus, which is trapped inside an aquarium for its whole life. Not as a pet, but rather as a sushi ingredient. Escape your captivity and find a way out before it's too late! Use the sticky abilities of Octarina to jump, climb and cause mayhem in the factory. Discover your way to regain freedom!
‍
As a part of my graduation process for the masters degree, it was a requirement from the students to develop a full game over 2 years. Octarina was the result of these years in which I and a core team of 4 other students developed the game going from the idea finding process until the release day on steam. We had gone through many prototypes and playtesting sessions until we refined the movement and general gameplay to the point it is now.

Portfolio
Steam
Website
Twitter
Instagram

Lodestone

Game Type:
VR Action Spellcaster
Language:
C++ & Blueprints
Engine:
Unreal Engine 4.22
Duration:
6 Months
Team size:
(Core Team)
4 Programmers &
2 Artists

Lodestone is a single player virtual reality action spellcaster.

The player has the ability to tame stones infused with essence and interact with them in the environment. He gets to wield stones and use different attacks to his advantage by making the right moves with his controller while exploring an underground level.

As a player, you find yourself in an underground setting, searching for the way to the surface. In the process, you repeatedly encounter dangers, among others in the form of hostile creatures, against whom you have to defend yourself in order to progress. The stones allow the player both offensive and defensive interaction. This is made possible through the use of the motion controllers.
The goal of the game is to fight the invaders of one's home and find the way to freedom.

The game features a linear level design interrupted by big arena rooms with multiple enemies coming in waves to put an end to the player.

Portfolio
Steam

Pipe it up

Game Type:
Puzzle Platformer
Language:
C#
Engine:
Unity
Duration:
1 Week
Team size:
3 Programmers

Pipe it up is a 3D puzzle platformer. Help the little robot to get the big machine going again. Your task is simple, but the way to get there is difficult. Not only do you have to get to the gaps in the energy circuit first, but you also have to find the necessary spare parts. Explore the room and use the energy flow to get through the level. Only then will you bring the mysterious machine back to life.

Portfolio
Itch.io

Mouse Squared

Game Type:
Puzzle Platformer
Language:
C++ & SFML
Engine:
Custom C++ Engine
Duration:
1 Week
Team size:
2 Programmers

MouseSquared is a singleplayer platformer, where you have to build your way through the level with the interaction of objects! Only with dexterity and creativity can you reach your goal.
‍
The player can move the square left and right using the A and D keys. Objects, like boxes and boards, can be moved to the desired location by drag and drop with the mouse. If you fall into the water you will respawn at the top of the level.

Portfolio
Itch.io

SoulTree

Game Type:
Puzzle Platformer
Language:
C#
Engine:
Monogame
Duration:
1 Month
Team size:
1 Programmers

SoulTree is a single-player platform game. ‍
You play a soul creature that can shoot magic bullets and thus defend itself against the enemy monsters. There are two different types of enemies. On the one hand there are those who run after you, on the other hand there are the monsters who shoot back.
At the end of the level you face a boss who creates pressure waves by hitting the ground with his stone fists. Especially with the boss, but also in the whole level, timing is particularly important, otherwise you lose your precious lives and so the girl also dies.
Nevertheless, with the help of the life fragments that are distributed throughout the level, there is a way to help yourself regain your strength.
The aim of the game is to collect all the soul fragments and kill all the monsters that threaten the soul tree.

Portfolio
Itch.io