Gameplay Programmer at Sleeping Rooster Studios | 06/2024 - Present

• Designed, implemented, and troubleshot features in Unreal Engine using C++ and Blueprints, contributing to the success of a co-op multiplayer game.
• Spearheaded code optimization efforts with the lead engineer, transforming content integration workflows into a seamless and efficient process.
• Refined the game's UI/UX by enhancing nameplates and incorporating dynamic visual elements, elevating the player experience.

Developer Support Engineer at Microsoft | 01/2024 - 01/2025

• Participated in Triage, assisting in investigating customer issues reducing troubleshooting time by 40%.
• Identified error and requested an exception be added by engineers, resulting in 70% reduction in troubleshooting time for similar tickets.
• Assisted in troubleshooting Terraform script errors, enabling configuration and deployment for an organization earning over 10 billion dollars annually.

Software Engineer II at Honeywell | 04/2019 - 06/2023

• Resolved internal tooling issues that sped up Customer Service call-times, reduced Services installation expenses, and increased capabilities
• Researched, implemented, and tested communications with a third-party API to integrate events in multi-threaded Windows application, resulting in revenue for the customer-specific integration
• Improved C++ .NET Windows MFC applications to fulfill cybersecurity requirements which led to the VCC application getting NIST certified
• Resolved UI-related bugs within the product suite applications
• designed and developed front-end proofs of concept for product suite configuration UI in React JavaScript to improve experience for the customer
• worked with backend engineer to develop JSON web service messages to assess on the front-end

Guardian Lemur: Jump! - 07/2025

About the Game

Entry for the 2025 Boss Jam. To play the game, follow the link: https://james-talon.itch.io/guardian-lemur-jump

My Contributions

• Streamlined level design workflows by transforming static assets into reusable prefabs, enabling rapid prototyping and consistent visual integration.
• Designed and implemented user interface elements using Inkscape, focusing on clarity, responsiveness, and thematic cohesion.
• Developed core gameplay systems and visual effects, bridging the gap between engineering and artistic vision to enhance player experience.

Gnomes and Giants | 06/2024 - Present

About the Game

A co-op multiplayer game made in Unreal Engine. To look at the game on Steam, follow the link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1063760/Gnomes_and_Giants/

My Contributions

• Developed item systems that made it easy to add new assets using Data Tables.
• Created custom UI assets and authored shaders.
• Participated in iterative playtests, identified usability issues, and resolved bugs to improve stability and user experience.

Unnamed Project Pirate Game Jam 2022

About the Game

Puzzle story game with high hopes, the design document for everything we planned to do is written up here: https://github.com/ashleycrouch/pirate-game-jam-2022/wiki/Game-Design-Document

Follow link to check out the Github source: https://github.com/ashleycrouch/pirate-game-jam-2022

My Contributions

• Lead Programmer and Technical Artist
• Lead Designer
• The game jam had a requirement that it had to have a limited color palette, so I took it as the opportunity to learn more about shaders in Unity. We wanted to put a twist on the requirement by making a sketchy-looking dither shader, inspired by Return of the Obra Dinn.

Suit Yourself - 2018

About the Game

Suit Yourself is a fast-paced playing card game. In this game players` strategies challenge each other and can topple down as quickly as a house of cards. Inspired by the classic card game WAR but designed for multiple players with a focus on strategy and diplomacy. The game was well-received by testers for its strategic depth and polished presentation, and it deepened my interest in graphics programming and user experience design.

My Contributions

• Ran multiple playtests to refine mechanics, improve pacing, and ensure intuitive gameplay.
• Crafted vector-based card art and UI elements, integrating visual clarity with thematic consistency.
• Created rules that balance challenge and accessibility, focusing on player agency and replayability.

Roguelike One - 2015

About the Game

Roguelike One is a procedurally generated miniature-planet based roguelike made with Unity. Take control of the INTREPID PILOT as they fight their way through the 32nd Galaxy Gladiatorial to discover the secret at the center of the galaxy.

To play the game follow the link: https://hyperfocusgames.itch.io/rogue

My Contributions

• Created concept art and reference art for the main character, enemies, and obstacles, for 3D modelers to create 3D assets.
• Contributed to the design of the game and world.

The Digital Garden Collective

Role: Icon design and UX design

A written content platform for sharing and exploring notes and developing them over time.

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