Michael Kleinbriel

Tech Designer, Systems Programmer, Producer

Thoober

Fast-Paced Arena Shooter with PVP Online Multiplayer. Battle it out with up to 3 friends with Wacky Weapons on Surreal Maps! Round-by-Round Modifiers will keep you on your toes! Thoob until you can't Thoob anymore!

Role: Tech Designer, Systems Programmer, Networking Programmer

September 2025 - Current

  • Implemented Initial Floating Capsule Player Controller
  • Created Backend System for Handling Modifiers
  • Added Full Controller Support to the Game with Settings
  • Designed and Implemented 2 Weapons
  • Worked Closely with Lead Networking Programmer to Implement Networked Features Accordingly
  • Optimized GPU Performance
  • Serve as a Mentor due to Team Being Mostly Comprised of Those New to Game Development

Spell Forge

Spell Forge is a fantasy top-down multiplayer game where up to 4 players explore a two mystical maps, collecting spells in order to take down other players in high action magical combat.

Role: Producer, Tech Designer, UI Designer, VFX Artist

June 2025 - December 2025

  • Led a 7 Person Team and Managed Tasks, Progress, and Playtesting Feedback with Trello and Miro
  • Took Full Ownership on 1 of the 2 Maps in the Game
  • Designed and Implemented most of the UI
  • Added Full Dynamic Glyph Support Depending on Input Device with Local Multiplayer Support
  • Created a Dynamic Thumbnail Generator for Map Selection
  • Worked Closely with Networking Programmers to Ensure Custom Scripts Worked both Online and Locally
  • Created All Weapon VFX and Most Environmental VFX
  • Created Custom VFX Rendering System to Enhance VFX

Instructions Unclear

Instructions Unclear is a goofy ragdoll physics based party game where you work together or battle your friends in a variety of construction-themed game modes!

Role: Producer, Tech Designer, Systems Programmer

March 2025 - April 2025

  • Spearheaded the Game Direction
  • Expanded Team for Project Pitch to Cover Weakpoints
  • Designed and Implemented the two Game Modes
  • Implemented a Random Weather System
  • Created and Implemented a Build-Accuracy Checker for Building Game Mode
  • Designed and Implemented a Dynamic Zooming and Moving Camera for Hectic 4 Player Local-Multiplayer Action
  • Developed a Dynamic Crafting System with Designer Recipe Support
  • Created Drone System to Supply Players with Props

Animal Defense

Animal Defense is a single player tower defense resource management game where you play as a farmer working to raise and maintain a supply of common farmyard animals, while protecting your home from predators. The nights may get tough though, and you'll have to make tough decisions whether to save your animals, or sacrifice them for large, immediate gains.

Role: Gameplay Designer, Tech Designer, Systems Programmer

2 Week Project in February 2025

  • Collaborated with Other Designer on Unique Game Loop (Animal Management Simulator x Tower Defense)
  • Created Full Day-Night Cycle with Designer-Friendly Controls and Settings
  • Designed and Implemented the Tower Defense Part of the Game, Including Top Down Point-and-Click Navigation
  • Developed Enemy Spline Path Generation and Enemy Navigation System
  • Designed the Main Map

Resume

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More About Me

Michael Kleinbriel

Hi, I'm Michael! I'm a current MSU Senior studying Games & Interactive Media and Game Design and Development.

Since the age of four I've been interested in video games and digital media and how they are made.

With early explorations with Blender and Animation, to starting game development and programming years ago with GameMaker Studio, and now working on big projects and being a part of and leading teams in Unity and Unreal, I'm finally making the games I dreamed up years ago.

Feel free to reach out to me using the contact info below!