Resume

Paul Forest

SUMMARY:

• Passion for developing software and video games
• Extensive technical and programming experience with a wide variety of technologies including C/C++, C#, Java, Flash, Actionscript, Processing, game design and many APIs
• Able to independently learn new technologies quickly
• Capable researcher
• Excellent teamwork skills including leadership roles
• Connecting the dots no-one else seems to see

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

Forest Games Corporation (ForestGames.ca), Toronto, Ontario, August 2009 to Present
President and C*O
• Performed key Research and Development of cutting-edge technology
• Executed all business development, business plans, networking, marketing, etc
• Being "C*O" means CEO, CTO, CCO, etc.
• Developed code in every language under the sun: C/C++, Java, Python, C#, Processing

Webkinz (Ganz Interactive), Toronto, Ontario, September 2007 to August 2009
Flash Games Developer
• Developed three popular children’s games, played by millions of users using Actionscript 1, 2 and 3 using Flash 8 and 9.
• Innovated new techniques and procedures to improve team efficiency
• Key developer in new department, creating designs and implementing new features in unannounced project

Visual Sports Systems, Toronto, Ontario, July 2007 to August 2007 (remote contract)
Contractor: Golf Demo
• Designed and implemented a complete demo program for the Xbox 360 using Torque X, C# and XNA

Sick Awesome Games, Toronto, Ontario, March 2007 to June 2007 (remote contract)
Flash Developer: Undisclosed Action-Adventure-RPG Game
• Coded new game features using Flash

Sprite House Games, Toronto, Ontario, November 2006 to January 2007
Co-Owner, Lead Designer: Undisclosed Project
• Founded and incorporated a game company with two other owners
• Prepared a pitch for a government funding program, including game designs and a video

Arnold Interactive, Toronto, Ontario, July 2006 to November 2006 (Contract)
Web Developer: http://www.fmc-law.com
• Built an extensive webpage using ASP.Net, C# and Sitecore CMS, with pixel-perfect accuracy to designs
• Performed production tasks such as file uploads, automation and extensive documentation

Cryptologic Inc., Toronto, Ontario, December 2004 to May 2006
Web Developer
• Saved the company an estimated 2 Million USD per year by migrating systems to Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE), JSP, Struts, and Service-Oriented Architecture
• Created solutions for multiple payment methods in multiple localizations
• Proactively provided cost-saving initiatives, system administration, automation, documentation, technical support and informal training

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:

TW-Light (Open Source PC Game), September 2002 to September 2005
Developer, Designer, Project Leader
• Improved the software by contributing and maintaining C++ and Python code, Network code, GUI, Graphics (Allegro), Sound, maintaining multiple platforms
• Greatly improved group organization by switching to Sourceforge services and providing a forum
• Provided informal training; recruited new personnel to the project; committed patches from the community; wrote a manual

International Game Developer’s Association Toronto Chapter, May 2006 to Present
Event Coordinator, Steering Committee
• Organized group meetings
• Solicited guest speakers and sponsorships
• Very active in community since 2002, networking people with jobs and events

TOJam.ca, 2006 and 2007
Organizer (2006, 2007), Participant (2006 - 2009)
• Organized TOJam, an annual 3-day game development event
• Provided event space, promotion, sample code, web pages, YouTube videos, etc
• Created a dozen innovative game designs for the events
• Wrote small games at each of these events as a particpant

Attention Shoppers, May 2009
Design, Programming
• Wrote a small "Tower Defence" game in the theme of shoppers at a grocery store
• Used Flash 9, Actionscript 3
• Game was written in three days for TOJam 4

Titanic Pinball (www.titanicpinball.com), May 2008
Design, Programming
• Wrote a fun physics-based game in Actionscript 3 using a 2D physics engine
• Game was written in three days for TOJam 3

EDUCATION:

University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
B.Sc. Computer Science
• Focused on computer graphics, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, Java and databases
• Tutored several computer science courses including an assembly language course
• Excelled at group projects

RELEVANT SKILLS:

Expert (5+ years of experience):
• C/C++; Java
• Object-oriented analysis, design and programming

Advanced (2-5 years of experience):
• Flash 8 & 9, Actionscript 1-3
• SQL Databases (MySQL, DB2); SOAP, XML
• Linux, Shell scripting (bash, csh); Perl
• GUI development and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Version Control (CVS, Subversion, Visual SourceSafe) use and administration
• Internationalization

Competent (½ - 2 years of experience):
• Flash 6 – 9; Actionscript 1 – 3
• OpenGL, DirectX, Allegro game library, 3D Math
• Flash; Torque Game Builder; Python
• Game design
• AWT, Swing
• Network Programming (TCP, UDP)
• Software design patterns, MVC, test-driven development
• Photoshop, GIMP (Image manipulation software)
• J2EE, JSP pages, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), C#, ASP .Net
• Win32 Programming; Multithreaded programming

Learning (<½ year of experience):
• PHP, 3D Studio Max, Maya, UnrealEd; UnrealScript, Lua; Java 3D

SOFT SKILLS:

• Proven teamwork skills
• Excellent speaking and writing skills
• Patience and consistency
• Excellent research skills and “digging” ability
• Quick learner
• Enthusiasm!

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

• Developer of several open source and independent projects
• Avid game player: FPSs, puzzle games, arcade games, RPGs
• Martial arts (Aikido, Tae Kwon Do), ultimate Frisbee, ball hockey, music (jazz, trip-hop, electronica), playing trombone and other brass instruments; camping, hiking, construction (family log cottage), open-source programming.

References Available Upon Request