Hi! My name is Joe Allen, and I'm a 23-year-old programmer.

 

I recently graduated from Birmingham City University with a First Class Degree (93.5%) in BSc Video Game Development. I worked on numerous games throughout the course, including two collaborative projects which were completed remotely during the pandemic. While studying, I had both solo and group work featured at the 2020 and 2021 GFA Student Showcase. 

 

I have been creating video games in some form for the last 10 years. I specialise in C# and Unity and have over 5 years experience with both. I also have experience with other programming languages (C++, JavaScript), and game engines/frameworks (Unreal Engine, SFML, MonoGame).

 

I'm at my happiest when I'm making something. Unsurprisingly, my favourite projects to work on are video games, for a multitude of reasons. I love how code, art, sound and more can come together to produce something unique and special. I love how games evolve with technology, and how the boundaries of what is possible continue to grow. I love the pursuit of making something because it's fun, and because it will make people smile, or allow them to escape.

 

I was introduced to programming as a child when I was tinkering around with PowerPoint and found that you could add visual basic code to make simple games. That was what got me hooked on the idea of programming. You can just think something up and tell the computer to make it happen? That's magic! That was how I felt then, and it's why programming continues to excite me. Of course, coding is never quite that simple, but thankfully I find the 'problem solving' part just as rewarding as the 'problems solved' part.

 

When I’m not programming, my hobbies include video editing, graphic design, and building LEGO. You can see some of my editing work showcased in the trailers for Broken World, Robot Guise and various other games on this website. I also created the music for most of the games featured. You can listen to my music, and see a few other things I have worked on here.