1-on-1 Game Dev Coaching
Whether you want to ship your first game or land your first role in the industry — let's build it together.
What we can work on
Game Design
Systems thinking, MDA framework, mechanics, level design, and turning a vague idea into a designed experience.
Game Engines & Frameworks
Unreal, Unity, Godot, or whatever you're building in — Blueprints, scripting, gameplay systems, and the technical skills to get your game running.
Breaking into the industry
Portfolio reviews, resume and application strategy, interview prep, and how to navigate the job market honestly.
Programming for games
C#, C++, and the engineering fundamentals that underpin every game system — from a working professional who writes it daily.
Sessions & pricing
30 minutes
FreeUSD
A no-pressure conversation to figure out where you are, what you're working on, and whether coaching is a good fit. Come as you are.
Book free consult →60 minutes
$75USD
Focused work on something specific — a mechanic you're stuck on, a Blueprint to debug, a portfolio piece to review, or a design question you can't crack.
Book a session →4 × 60 minutes
$350USD
For bigger goals: shipping a prototype, building a portfolio, or breaking into the industry. We make a plan in session one and work through it together.
Book a package →What students say
"Placeholder — working with Michael completely changed how I think about game systems. In one session we untangled a mechanic I'd been stuck on for weeks."
"Placeholder — Michael gave me an honest, practical portfolio review that I couldn't get anywhere else. Within two months I had my first industry interview."
"Placeholder — I came in knowing nothing about Blueprints and left with a working prototype. Michael is patient, clear, and genuinely invested in your progress."
I'm a software engineer at EA Maxis working on The Sims Maker Suite, and a game design instructor at Circuit Stream. I hold an MFA in Interactive Media from USC and a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Calgary.
My shipped work includes Egregore (2024, Steam) — a graph-based adventure mystery I directed with a 20-person team through USC's Advanced Games Program — and Atrio: The Dark Wild (2023, Steam), where I was Lead Writer. I've also led XR research projects exhibited at SIGGRAPH and AWE.
What I bring to coaching isn't just technical knowledge — it's the full picture. I've shipped games, written systems, led teams, presented research, and now I teach the next generation of designers how to do the same. If you're serious about making games or getting into the industry, I know the path because I'm on it.
Common questions
Who is this for?
Anyone who wants to make games or work in the industry — beginners figuring out where to start, hobbyists who want to go further, students building portfolios, and career switchers making the jump.
What happens in the free intro consult?
We talk through where you are and what you want to build or accomplish. No pitch, no sales pressure. At the end I'll share my honest take on how I can help — or whether you'd be better served by something else.
Do I need to know Unreal Engine already?
No. I work with people across the full experience range — from complete beginners to intermediate developers hitting a ceiling. Tell me where you are and we'll go from there.
What's the difference between a single session and the package?
Single sessions are for focused, one-off problems. The package is for people with a bigger goal that takes sustained effort — finishing a prototype, building a portfolio from scratch, or getting job-ready. The package includes a planning session where we map out exactly what we're working toward.
How do sessions work?
Sessions are held over video call. You'll get a booking confirmation with a link after you reserve your time. Come prepared with whatever you're working on — a project file, questions, a job listing, whatever's in front of you.