Heena Thadani
I'm Game Developer
About
Hi! I am Heena Thadani, a passionate Game Developer, UI Developer, and UI Designer. I love creating engaging and user-friendly gaming experiences. I try my best to blend creativity with functionality in every project I undertake. I follow design instructions and principles to ensure the best outcomes. I enjoy working on diverse projects that challenge my skills and allow me to grow as a developer and designer. I also have a keen interest in exploring new technologies and trends in the gaming industry. I have extensive experience with Unity, and Unreal Engine, and designing gameplay interfaces in Figma.
Skills
While I have most of my expertise in the following tech, I am always eager to learn and adapt to new technologies.
Resume
Download ResumeEducation
Master of Science in Game Design & Development
2023 - 2025
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science
2019 - 2023
Mody University of Science &Technology, Rajasthan, India
Professional Experience
Technical Artist (UI/UX) @ Future House Studios
Nov 2025 - Dec 2025
Seattle, WA, USA
- Implemented interactive museum experiences, in UE5 using Blueprints + reusable UMG widgets from figma design specs.
- Built XML-driven UI content/data flows (validation + fallbacks) to enable rapid iteration.
- Established UI architecture best practices (widget composition, event-driven dispatchers) and documented reusable components.
- Delivered polished UI transitions/feedback including animations, inactivity overlays, and responsive design elements.
Professional Experience
Software Engineer @ Gatos Malos
May 2025 - Aug 2025
Rochester, New York, NY
- Built 16-player LAN/Online multiplayer system in UE5 (C++ and Blueprints)
- Developed party system with invites, joins, and reconnections using Online Subsystem, with UI representing session states.
- Enabled upto 4-player splitscreen with LAN/Online support. Optimized replication for smooth hybrid local/networked play.
- Designed and Implemented UMG menus, HUD, Lobby, etc widgets with reusable components (buttons, panels, cards, lists), navigation/gamepad focus, and responsive layouts.
UI/UX Developer @ Petals World Studios
Nov 2022 - Aug 2023
Singapore
- Implemented production UI in Unity from Figma for lobby, matchmaking, leaderboards systems, including dynamic lists, loading states, and error UX.
- Developed social features in game, leaderboards, and player stats using Photon Quantum, boosting retention by 20%
- Integrated PlayFab + Facebook login and connected UI flows end-to-end (auth -> profile -> lobby), improving UX flow.
VR Developer @ Mitacs
Jun 2022 - Aug 2022
Fredericton, Canada
- Implemented systems to store player activity and progress within a VR environment, enhancing user engagement and data tracking.
- The research focused on presenting player progress to disconnected players on Meta Quest 2 and studying its impact on player focus and engagement.
Projects
- All
- Unreal Engine
- Unity
- UI/UX
- Other
What I can do!
I'm primarily a Gameplay Programmer, with a special focus on creating engaging and intuitive gameplay mechanics and game systems. I absolutely love designing and implementing user interfaces that enhance the overall gaming experience.
Gameplay Programming
I have a keen interest in developing core gameplay mechanics, movement, combat, abilities, and interactions with clean, data-driven code focused on feel, performance, and iteration speed.
UI Development
I have extensive experience in translating design mockups into responsive and user-friendly interfaces using modern UI frameworks and technologies.
UI Designing
Recently, I have been focusing on creating visually appealing and user-centric game interfaces that improve usability and engagement.
VR Development
I have a huge interest in developing immersive virtual reality experiences, focusing on interaction design, performance optimization, and user comfort.
Graphic Programming
I have been trying to understand how shaders, rendering techniques, and real-time graphics optimization works to create stunning game visuals.
Contact
Feel free to reach out to me for collaborations, inquiries, or just a friendly chat about game development and UI design.
heenathadani26@gmail.com
Address
Seattle, WA, USA