About Me

My name is CJ Sharkey, and I am a level designer from Michigan. I began taking level design courses at 12 through ID Tech, where I was first introduced to Unreal Engine and The Source Engine’s Hammer Editor. Since then, I’ve taken part in numerous game design courses leading up to college. I am further solidifying my skills and abilities as I recently obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Video Game Design from Clark University of Worcester, MA, in 2022. As a level designer, I am determined to acquire new skill sets and take on various challenges from the game’s technical and developmental side. Below, you will find a collection of projects I have had the opportunity to work with others on, as well as some solo projects I’ve worked on throughout the years.

When time allows, I play various games, including first-person shooters, MMORPGs, Survival, Strategy, and Puzzle Games. This helps me further my education and experience as while I’m enjoying playing the games, I’m also studying the game’s structure, art, economy, and aesthetics. I learn what works well and doesn’t and read other players’ feedback to understand what players want in a particular game genre. That way, when working on my projects, I’ll know where to start when creating an enjoyable experience for the community. Playing games is a crucial factor in properly developing a game, as you’ll be able to understand what the player base wants. In doing that, you can accommodate their recommendations/criticism.