ABOUT PAUL RAYMENT

PROFILE

An Experienced Programmer in code design and development to a high professional standard, seeking to progress and develop my skills further in a permanent role as a Software Engineer aiming to progress further. A resourceful, quick thinking and flexible individual achieving high standards in accuracy and efficiency within development roles. A genuine interest in game creation techniques and enjoys learning and increasing knowledge so it can be implemented in the working environment.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

LANGUAGES

Primary: C#, C++, C, PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL
Secondary: JSON, Python, PowerShell, XML, HLSL, Lua, JSP, JAVA, Visual Basic

DEVELOPER TOOLS

Primary: Unity, Unreal Engine 4, Microsoft Visual Studio, Xamarin, Perforce, Git, TeamCity, Jenkins, Team Foundation Server, Windows Azure, Photoshop
Secondary: UDK, Eclipse, Interwoven TeamSite, Oracle, Microsoft Office Suite (including Access, Project, Visio)

WEB TECHNOLOGIES

Selenium, Apache, Tomcat, PHP, MySQL, Microsoft IIS, IBM WebSphere, IBM Rational Application Developer

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Windows (since 3.11), DOS, Linux, Android, iOS

CAREER HISTORY

GAME DIGITAL PLC - SEP 2016 TO DATE

AUTOMATION TEST ANALYST

• As sole Automation Test Analyst within GAME, implementation of a test automation framework working with multiple systems including the retail online website, daily smoke tests of the multiple development environments, displaying results in multiple ways allowing clear visibility of environment health and stability
• Regression pack of automated tests made available to manual testers, allowing the verification of the pre-live and live environment before and after any build is deployed
• Tool creation to monitor and report minute by minute system availability and downtime. Other tools allowing for backend data manipulation and stock levels
• Creation of bug tracking records for genuine automation test failures for developers to investigate and resolve, with automation verification that the fixes have been implemented successfully
• Communication between internal and 3rd Party developers, facilitating the investigation and discussion of upcoming features and known issues
• Working in an Agile Methodology of Sprints and Scrum, prioritising User Stories and Tasks from Backlog based on current departmental projects and automation testing development needs
• Training of team members on how to write automation tests, improving their flow and speed of testing new features

SHADOWPUMA LTD - APR 2016 TO SEP 2016

SOFTWARE ENGINEER

• Development of Unity game for mobile and PC
• Utilising C# skills to develop an automation testing framework to test games across multiple platforms
• Creation of build system and continuous integration for each submission of code changes via a version control system

LIONHEAD STUDIOS - SEP 2015 TO APR 2016

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, FABLE FORTUNE

• Quickly integrating the automation test framework and game communication layer to a project with quick and tight deadlines
• Updating game source code where necessary to send game telemetry events to the output medium of either database or local files for later processing where network connectivity was limited
• Visiting External 3rd Party companies, creating a relationship with them allowing for better project communication and development during their assistance with the project
• Training and managing a Microsoft Intern in the use of the automation tech and game source code development, assigning appropriate tasks and deadlines

LIONHEAD STUDIOS - OCT 2014 TO SEP 2015

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, FABLE LEGENDS

• Fable Legends is a co-operative action online role playing action adventure on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC
• During the development of the game title I developed varying automation test types that bring worth to multiple audiences, including automation tests for stability, functionality and performance, being run after every build of the game and automatically have reports of the automation tests being performed allowing increased exposure of how suitable the game is for continued testing and development
• I communicated effectively with all areas on the project on varying topics ranging from queries around hardware, through to how to install and run automated tests using the developing framework
• The game was developed using Unreal Engine 4, making use of a combination of Blueprints and code to achieve the automation of the game

LIONHEAD STUDIOS - MAR 2014 TO OCT 2014

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, FABLE ANNIVERSARY ON PC

• Fable Anniversary is a re-mastered HD version of the original action role-playing open world video game, the first in the Fable series. The Xbox360 version was updated to work on PC and available on Steam
• Using a C# test framework to launch and run Fable Anniversary, using an integrated Console Command tool, verification tests were carried out on the Unreal Engine 3 standalone version of the game
• After an overnight build of the game would trigger the automation tests to run and email the test results to interested parties including the Producers and Lead Development Programmers for them to make decisions on how stable or usable a build is and whether it should be submitted to the Steam Store

GALLANTCLOUD GAMES - AUG 2013 TO MAR 2014

CIO, LEAD DEVELOPER - AUG 2013 TO MAR 2014

• Use of Unity along with C#, JavaScript code scripts and plugins to create different genre of games for web, mobile (Android, iOS and Windows) and desktop platforms, including a 2D parallax multi directional side scrolling endless runner, 3D tunnel runner integrating social media (Twitter, Facebook) for social communication within gaming
• Use and understanding of Agile Methodology, particularly Scrum, to progress ideas, plan projects and their development
• Multitask workload and team involvement of game ideas and design narrowing 34 ideas to 4 for further progression
• Understand dependencies across departments and highlight potential issues and risks to the project in areas of design, gameplay, art and code
• Complete testing of newly developed code and gameplay features along with regression testing of existing features and logging any issues that arise
• Implement multiplayer network game functions across multiple touch devices using Unity assets and network protocol knowledge
• Server integration including the use of Azure cloud technologies allowing for storage and retrieval of data from game to server
• Understanding of data driven systems to implement data analysis and adjust game play dynamically
• Participant of a 12 week pilot accelerator programme provided by Microsoft Ventures from September 2013, increasing knowledge and understanding of business growth and development
• Creation and maintenance of company website, content and administrative users

COMPLETE STUDIES - JAN 2012 TO AUG 2013

• During this time I focused on completing my Games Developer studies with Train2Game while carrying out child care duties
• Studying to complete a 3D multiplayer underwater deep sea diver adventure game with coding in C++ and DirectX 9, making use of additional resources including Lua scripting language and JSON data interchange for data storage and retrieval.

HSBC, WINKFIELD - FEB 2003 TO JAN 2012

TECHNICAL LEAD - DEC 2007 TO JAN 2012

• Use influence to deliver the project at the appropriate quality level and to the agreed schedule within budget
• Effectively managing and escalate risks/issues, ensuring there are no surprises for the Project Manager
• Actively managing costs within the department and team, achieving Annual Operating Plan
• Manage the overseas resources for projects in line with agreed level of engagement, supporting deployment targets for overseas resource utilisation
• Create, deliver and adhere to local standards and procedures while delivering projects to the customer

SENIOR ANALYST PROGRAMMER/DEVELOPER - NOV 2003 TO DEC 2007

• Create and develop websites from scratch using only a plain text editor and Photoshop
• Analyse HTML and CSS code to find ways of improving and following standards
• Internet application servers upgrade and configuration running Windows Server 2003
• Delivering Projects on time to a high standard
• Manage workload of myself and others in the team
• Training overseas contractors to a level able to maintain and support installed systems
• Presentations on existing processes
• Technical consultant for regional countries updating to latest technology used within the banking systems
• Controlled scheduled deployments of web code to development and production servers (including web, database, application servers)

SENIOR HELPDESK EXECUTIVE - FEB 2003 TO NOV 2003

• Logging issues into the Database for direct troubleshooting or passing to specialist teams
• Running detailed reports on communicated problems
• Finding new ways to reduce reported problems
• Being first contact for escalated problems
• Out of hours communications officer, contacting key business people and advising of priority problems

AUTOMATED DATA PROCESSING (ADP), CAMBERLEY - NOV 1997 TO 2002

SYSTEM SUPPORT ADMINISTRATOR - APR 1999 TO FEB 2003

• Construction of company Web Server and Intranet site using IIS, including web pages and discussion forum
• Creation of HTML pages which is used by the Helpdesk to inform others of system status
• Use of technical knowledge and initiative to manage and maintain the Company LAN, including the upgrade and maintenance of components including Servers, PC's, and Printers
• Effective communication with external sources with regards to system problems originating outside the LAN, and set-up/access control for users
• Produced written documentation about the operation of procedures carried out when required
• Creation of an internal messaging system for the users written using Microsoft Visual Basic
• Built Excel VBA program that analysed monitor system data and produced the relevant output required for reporting purposes

HELPDESK EXECUTIVE - NOV 1997 TO APR 1999

• Primary responsibilities included support of in-house system, and its users world-wide
• Logged and processed incoming calls and peripheral activities, by assessing and prioritising them with suitable techniques for correction
• Communicated planned and unplanned system outages to all affected users and notifying the relevant persons
• Assisted with the production of procedures that were implemented across the Company
• Produced Monthly figures that analysed the impact of implemented Helpdesk procedures

EDUCATION & TRAINING

TRAIN2GAME - SEP 2010 TO SEP 2013

Games Developer - TIGA Diploma (NVQ/City & Guilds at Level 7)

• 2D/3D Maths
• C++ Games Programming including DirectX and HLSL
• Sorting Methods
• Memory Management
• State Machines
• Animation
• AI
• Route Finding
• Dynamic Environments
• Collision
• UI Creation
• Post Processing
• Audio

LEARNING TREE - MAR 2007

Effective Communication Skills

HTML for Web Development

JavaScript for Web Development

PHP for Web Development

FARNBOROUGH COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY - SEP 1994 TO JUL 1997

GNVQ Advanced Information Technology - Distinction

GNVQ Intermediate Information Technology - Distinction

COURT MOOR SCHOOL, FLEET - SEP 1989 TO JUL 1994

GCSE's: Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Science Dual Award, CDT-Technology, Geography, Music, German

INTERESTS

Interests and hobbies have changed over the years, but the love and enjoyment of coding, computers and games has always remained. Other interests include anime, creative writing, reading.

Even further interests include family, website creation, and blogging