Who am I?

About Wyatt Manchak

I am a creative and technically minded game developer with over six years of experience working independently and in small dev teams. I am particularly skilled in regards to programming, level design, and project management, with hands-on experience using tools like Unity, Blender, Photoshop, Audacity, and other industry standard software. I enjoy taking projects from concept to completion and work well in environments that challenge both my critical and creative aspects.

I grew up in Fernie, British Columbia, where being surrounded by nature shaped how I see and interact with the world. Exploring new environments and discovering how things work has always been a major source of inspiration for me. That curiosity naturally feeds into my games, influencing the worlds I create and the systems I build.

I look at challenges with a positive, growth mindset. Difficult problems and setbacks are opportunities to learn, adapt, and improve, and I’m always motivated to push through obstacles with determination and curiosity.

Game Development & Education History

I have been fascinated by games for as long as I can remember. Games have a unique ability to convey emotion in ways no other media source can, and that is what drew me to game development. I am especially interested in conveying stories and themes through the combination of gameplay, narrative, and worldbuilding, in ways that only games can.

I am currently pursuing a Diploma in Game Development – Game Programming at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), where I am maintaining a 3.8 GPA and earning a place on the Dean’s List. I chose NAIT rather than simply entering the industry immediately to deepen my technical knowledge and learn directly from experienced industry professionals, ensuring I enter the field with a strong foundation and a clear creative vision. My strongest and most professional skill set lies in programming, with experience in C#, Python, and Java.

What I Have to Offer as a Junior Game Developer

What sets me apart from many junior developers is hands-on experience. I am comfortable working with large, unfamiliar codebases written by other developers. Through independent learning and hands-on modification of existing scripts and programs, I have developed the ability to quickly understand intent and meaning, use context clues effectively, and make productive changes on my own.

I also bring strong teamwork and communication skills. Coming from a tight-knit retail environment where collaboration is essential, I understand the value of working closely with others, sharing ideas, and contributing positively to team dynamics. I genuinely enjoy collaborating with teammates and believe the best results come from learning from one another and building great games together.

Above all, I love games—the development process behind them, the constant learning they encourage, and the passionate people who create them. Games feel like magic, and I am driven by the creativity and dedication it takes to bring them to life. I want to be part of that process and help create worlds that players can explore, connect with, and remember.

Development Skills

Game Engines & Development Tools

Unity Engine (core specialization)
- Gameplay programming
- Physics and collision systems
- Animation controllers and state machines
- UI systems (UGUI)
- ScriptableObjects and data-driven design
Experience working with the full Unity development pipeline from prototype to polished build

Programming & Technical Skills

Strong proficiency in C#, with a focus on gameplay systems, tools, and engine scripting
Working knowledge of Python for scripting, tooling, and general problem-solving
Experience with Java, including object-oriented programming principles
Solid understanding of object-oriented programming, data structures, and clean code practices
Gameplay system implementation (player controllers, AI behaviors, state machines, UI logic)
Debugging, profiling, and performance-conscious development
Reading, understanding, and extending large, unfamiliar codebases
Rapid problem-solving using context clues and system-level thinking

Game Design & Level Design

Level design with a focus on player flow, pacing, and readability
Worldbuilding through environmental storytelling
Understanding of player psychology and engagement principles
Rapid prototyping and iteration based on playtesting feedback
Balancing gameplay mechanics and difficulty curves

Collaboration & Professional Skills

Strong teamwork and communication skills
Comfortable receiving and implementing feedback
Experience collaborating in small, fast-paced teams
Self-motivated, disciplined, and adaptable learner
Positive, growth-oriented mindset when facing challenges

Project Management & Workflow

End-to-end project development from concept to completion
Strong project organization and file structure management
Task breakdown, prioritization, and milestone planning
Iterative development and scope management
Independent development and small-team collaboration

Art & Audio

Blender
- Basic to intermediate 3D modeling
- Asset preparation for game engines
Photoshop
- Texture creation and editing
- UI assets and mockups
Audacity
- Audio editing and cleanup
- Sound effect preparation for implementation