Matthew Stavri

Hi there.
I'm Matthew Stavri and I'm currently based in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
 

I have over 8 years experience using Unreal Engine, with 3 years being professional game development experience within the industry and I am currently working as a Level Designer at EA Sports Codemasters.

I am extremely passionate about games and games design; level and world design in particular. I have always been fascinated with figuring out how games are made and tinkering with their map editors if they had any, which all started when I first discovered the map editor for Westwood's Command & Conquer Red Alert 2 (2000).

I love the concept of visual storytelling in level design, which extends to understanding how it can influence player decisions, movement, and overall gameplay experience. A well-designed level not only immerses players in the game world, but also subtly guides their choices and interactions within it.

In my designs, I carefully consider the placement of objects, lighting, and environmental cues to create natural pathways and areas of interest that lead players to explore and make decisions based on the surroundings. By manipulating and directing player movement through intentional, subtle design, I get the opportunity to emphasize key gameplay moments, encourage players to think critically, and create opportunities for strategic decision-making.

Moreover, I strive to create levels that cater to various playstyles, allowing players the freedom to approach challenges and objectives in ways that suit their personal preferences. This adds depth to gameplay and increases player engagement, as they feel empowered to shape their own experiences within the game world.

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Outside of playing games and making worlds, my hobbies include hiking and camping, where I'll occasionally take my camera with me to try and capture some inspiration for world building or levels I'm currently making. I will also never say no to an opportunity to go Go-Karting...

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