Reuben Brenner-
Adams
Game developer
reubenbrenneradams AT gmail.com
I'm Reuben Brenner-Adams, a Game Developer at Originator, creators of award-winning learning games such as the Endless Learning series and MathTango. I'm focused on changing the landscape of games for education through innovative design and player-centric implementation. I'm also a voting member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a voting member of the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, a member of the Federal Games Guild, and a member of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the International Game Developers Association. Take a look at my resumé.
As a game developer, I've gained skills in many different areas. Here are some of my specialties:
- Unity
- C#
- Game Design
- Sound Design
Selected Projects
MathTango
Overview:
MathTango is a groundbreaking app that makes learning addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division truly fun for kids aged 5-10! Kids will progress through dozens of math lessons as they earn monsters, complete missions, build out their own unique worlds, and discover even more fun and surprises along the way.
My Contribution:
- C#/Unity3D developer
Timeframe: Originally released in 2017, last updated April 2022
See It Live
Endless Learning Academy
Overview:
Provide comprehensive early learning preparation for your child with this delightfully interactive educational app from Originator – Endless Learning Academy! Kids will learn across a broad and growing curriculum all while having FUN with the help of the adorable Endless monsters!
My Contribution:
- C#/Unity2D developer
Timeframe: Originally released in 2015, last updated May 2022
See It Live
Pick Your Plate! A Global Guide to Nutrition
Overview:
Pick Your Plate! A Global Guide to Nutrition is an educational nutrition game that will help teach students about building healthy meals while using nutritional guidelines from countries around the world!
My Contribution:
- C#/Unity2D developer
- Game designer
- Sound designer
Timeframe: Released November 2019
See It Live
Roterra
Overview:
Angelica, the rightful Queen of Roterra, has lost her kingdom to her older brother, Orlando, who has become addicted to the magical powers bestowed to those who wear the crown. She now finds herself deep in the forest, alone, doing everything within her reach to return home! With traitorous knights hot on her heels, Angelica must face challenging puzzles and other hazards to make a safe return and reclaim her kingdom—one puzzle at a time. Available on iOS.
My Contribution:
- Level designer
- C#/Unity3D developer
Timeframe: Released January 2019
Roterra Promo Page
Tami's Tower: Let's Think About Engineering
Overview:
From the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Tami’s Tower: Let’s Think About Engineering is an educational engineering design game that teaches students how to design a solution to a problem using basic engineering design principles. Available in English and Spanish on iOS, Android, and web.
My Contribution:
- C#/Unity2D developer
- Game designer
- Sound designer
Timeframe: Released December 2018
See It Live
Silk Road
Overview:
Silk Road is a historically-grounded match 3 game that follows the journey of a merchant traveling from Byzantium to Chang'an along the ancient Silk Road during the 1st century CE. Trade coins, visit important cities, and build your reputation as a master trader. Available on iOS, Android, and Facebook.
My Contribution:
- C#/Unity2D developer
- Game designer
- Sound designer
Timeframe: Released November 2017
Silk Road Promo Page
Lost & Found: Order in the Court
Overview:
Lost & Found: Order in the Court is the second game in the Lost & Found series. Order in the Court, an analog storytelling party game, explores how a code of law called Mishneh Torah addresses lost and found possessions.
My Contribution:
- Game designer
- Ludo-legal designer
Timeframe: Released October 2017
Buy Lost & Found: Order in the Court
Aquation
Overview:
Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game is a digital strategy game designed to teach 5th-graders the basics of global water trade and the strategies that might be employed to make sure that all regions have enough fresh water for personal, agricultural, and commercial use. The game was developed for use in Next Generation Science Standards curriculum.
My Contribution:
- Lead game designer
- Lead game developer
- Prototyper
Timeframe: Released September 2017
See It Live
Gloom Box
Overview:
Gloom Box is my Master's capstone project, a 2D musical puzzle-platformer. The game follows Muse as she explores a colorful and musical world. A sentient boombox named Gloom enables Muse to play cassette tapes that she finds scattered throughout the world in order to influence her surroundings. Each cassette tape contains a different genre of music, which corresponds to a unique ability.
My Contribution:
- Production lead
- C#/Unity2D developer
- Game designer
Timeframe: Released May 2017
Download Gloom Box
Pixalto
Overview:
Pixalto is a 2D pixel-platformer created in C# and Unity2D that abstracts everyday interpersonal interactions and the challenges we face in dealing with them. You must navigate the many hostile and friendly characters in the world around you, shaping your actions to match the terrain and the movements of enemies.
My Contribution:
- Lead C# developer
- Lead Unity2D developer
- Game designer
Timeframe: November 2015 - May 2016
Pixalto Pre-Alpha Teaser
Dischord
Overview:
Dischord is an interactive digital artwork created in Javascript and using Tune.js and Tuna.js. The goal of Dischord is to generate near-completely random sequences of chords using algorithms adapted from a paper by Stephen Wolfram, while generating accompanying visuals in real time. Dischord generates patterns that cannot be reproduced without the seed and rules, except by NP processes. Additionally, Dischord gives the user control over scale, frequency, and timings of generated audio.
My Contribution:
- Lead JavaScript developer
- Lead designer
Timeframe: March - May 2016
See It Live
Red Giant
Overview:
Red Giant is a space-themed shoot-'em-up game created in Unity3D and using C#. The theme of the game is growth; throughout the experience, the player's ship will grow from a pod into the Red Giant. Eventually, the player will be able to take on—and defeat—planet-sized enemies.
My Contribution:
- C# developer
- Unity3D developer
Timeframe: January - April 2015
Pre-Alpha Trailer
MathTango
Endless Learning Academy
Pick Your Plate!
Roterra
Tami's Tower
Silk Road
Lost & Found: Order in the Court
Aquation
Gloom Box
Pixalto
Dischord
Red Giant
Work Experience
Game Developer
Employer:
Originator; RemoteRoles:
- Unity game programming
- Sound design
- Game design
Overview:
As a game developer at Originator, I support the ongoing development of Endless Learning Academy and MathTango, award-winning games for learning. I am responsible for the front-end implementation of gameplay features, as well as assisting with sound design and game design.
Timeframe: December 2021 - present
Interactive Developer
Employer:
Smithsonian Institution; Washington, DCRoles:
- Game design
- C# development
- Unity development and scripting
- Sound design
Overview:
As an Interactive Developer at the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), I designed and developed educational games, interactives, simulations, and other digital media for K-8 Next Generation Science Standards curricula. As part of the SSEC's Digital Media Team, I worked closely with curriculum developers to ensure that my games satisfy learning objectives for their pedagogical units.
Timeframe: May 2018 - November 2021
Junior Developer
Employer:
Dig-It! Games; Bethesda, MDRoles:
- C# development
- Unity development and scripting
- Game design
- Sound design
Overview:
As a Junior Developer at Dig-It! Games, I assisted with the design and development of educational and commercial video games for mobile and web platforms. Projects spanned a variety of genres, including puzzle, casual, and educational. I also worked on sound design for all the studio's games.
Timeframe: June 2017 - April 2018
Student Researcher
Employer:
Rochester Institute of Technology Center for Media, Arts, Games, Interaction, and Creativity; Rochester, NYRoles:
- Project management
- Organization and communication
- Video production
Overview:
As a Student Researcher at RIT's Center for MAGIC, I oversaw the production of a video tutorial and trailer for a digital card game based on the 12th-century writings of Maimonides, a Jewish philosopher and legal scholar. I also worked with the Unreal Engine 4 development team in a similar capacity. My duties included task management, scheduling, and personnel management.
Timeframe: January 2016 - May 2017
Teacher's Assistant
Employer:
Rochester Institute of Technology; Rochester, NYRoles:
- Grading
- Rubric creation
- Organization and communication
Overview:
As a Teacher's Assistant for IGME-230, Web Design and Implementation, I was responsible for evaluation and grading of all student assignments and exams. I check content, style, format, and W3C validity of HTML and CSS.
Timeframe: August - December 2016
Digital Media Intern
Employer:
Smithsonian Institution; Washington, DCRoles:
- Game design
- C# development
- Unity development and scripting
- Prototyping
Overview:
As a Digital Media Intern at the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), I conceptualized, designed, prototyped, and created educational games for K-8 Next Generation Science Standards curricula. As the SSEC's sole game designer and developer, I worked closely with curriculum developers to ensure that my games satisfied learning objectives for their pedagogical units. I presented my work to a number of audiences, including potential investors, primary and secondary school teachers from around the country, and the Smithsonian Gaming group.
Timeframe: June - August 2016
Student Researcher
Employer:
Rochester Institute of Technology Center for Media, Arts, Games, Interaction, and Creativity; Rochester, NYRoles:
- Unreal Engine 4 development
- Academic presentation
- Public relations
Overview:
As a Student Researcher at RIT's Center for MAGIC, I was an Unreal Engine 4 programmer and PR manager for an educational exploration game based on the Charlotte Perkins Gilman early feminist short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper." In coordination with this project, I gave a presentation entitled "Primary Source Material as a Learning Mechanic in Serious Games" at the 2016 Hudson Valley Undergraduate Games Conference in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Timeframe: December 2015 - May 2016
Programming Intern
Employer:
Nemesys Games; Budapest, HungaryRoles:
- C# development
- Unity development and scripting
Overview:
As a Programming Intern at Nemesys Games, I designed and implemented new features and fixed bugs in ongoing and newly-started games projects in C# and using Unity3D. I also presented my progress to the whole studio in weekly stand-up meetings. Tasks I completed include: refactoring the in-game ship modification and upgrade system, creating a unified input handler and event system for keyboard, mouse, and Xbox controller input, creating multiple player and enemy weapons, and writing a script for moving magnetization of powerups.
Timeframe: January - May 2015
Research Intern
Employer:
Ithaca College, Department of Computer Science; Ithaca, NYRoles:
- C# development
- Unity development and scripting
- Game design
Overview:
As a Research Intern in the Ithaca College Department of Computer Science, I was in charge of designing and implementing a physical therapy game in C# using Unity3D, Microsoft Kinect, and the Zigfu Interface. The idea of the ongoing research project is to increase quality of exercises done by physical therapy patients outside the therapist's office by creating an entertaining posture evaluation environment in the home.