About Me
I’m Riley Holzwart, a game developer of 5+ years experience specializing in Unity and C#,
with a strong passion for game mechanics programming and systems architecture.
I’ve had the opportunity to lead and collaborate on projects of all sizes,
from preproduction through to release, across platforms like PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.
My experience includes team management, code review, networking and multiplayer systems,
and architecture planning, with a focus on delivering polished and innovative gameplay experiences.
Portfolio
Project Koala - SMG Studio
Senior Developer/Minigame Team Lead | 2021 - 2024
Platforms: PC, Switch, PS5, PS4, XBOX
Project Koala is a multiplayer party game tied to a major IP coming to all platforms in 2025. I worked on Project Koala from pre-production
through to production, guiding the project through MVP, Vertical Slice, Alpha and Beta milestones, precertification, and gold.
My responsibilities included prototyping, gameplay programming, network programming, and systems architecture.
In addition to development, I led a team of developers by providing technical guidance, managing workflows,
conducting code reviews, and contributing to architecture planning to ensure project success.
- Systems Architecture
- Network Programming
- Gameplay Development
- Rapid Prototyping
Rain On Your Parade - Unbound Creations
Mid Developer | 2021
Platforms: PC, Switch, XBOX
Rain on Your Parade is a comedy game by Unbound Creations. At Unbound Creations I worked on developing fully featured levels from initial design briefs, including level design and gameplay mechanics development
- Gameplay Mechanics Programming
- Level Design and Development
Edge - Starforged Studios
Gameplay Programming | 2020 - 2021
Platforms: PC, Switch
Edge was an Action RPG project in development by Starforged Studios. I worked on Edge during the pre-production stage to deliver an MVP product for funding and grant proposals.
- Systems Architecture
- Player Controller Development
- Gameplay Mechanics Programming
- Enemy AI
- Optimisation & Profiling
Hardhat Hustle - Capstone Project
Game Designer, Programming | 2019
Platforms: PC
Hardhat Hustle was physics based party game developed as my final year capstone project at Griffith University. I led a team of three developers in creating Hardhat Hustle, from prototyping to game design and programming, winning four Griffith University Capstone Project Awards, including Game of the Year and Best Programming.
- Team Lead
- Rapid Prototyping
- Game Design
- Gameplay programming