Denis Schlusche
Game Character Story Level Design
My name is Denis Schlusche
Game designer.
Hi, I’m Denis Schlusche – a passionate Game Developer and Game Designer.I create joyful and immersive experiences, where gameplay and storytelling come together. Over the past years, I have worked on projects ranging from multiplayer shooters in Unreal Engine 5 to narrative-driven puzzles in Unity.
My expertise spans gameplay programming, level and UI design, cutscene direction, and tool development for designers and artists.
Games are not just entertainment for me – they are interactive adventures that connect people and spark imagination.
If you’re curious about my work, feel free to explore my portfolio or reach out directly.
Are you Interested in my Work?
Unity Developer & Software Engineer for an 2D Indie Fantasy Game
Game Developer and Designer for a 3D online multiplayer Shooter
Architect and Designer for a 3D Sound Puzzle Game
Creator and Game developer of a 2D Tower Defense Game
Masterthesis about creating a new Framework for Game Development
Technical Skills
Engines & Languages
Unity (C#) and Unreal Engine 5 (Blueprints, basic C++). Comfortable moving between both worlds to choose the best tool for the game.
Gameplay Programming
State machines, input systems, camera logic, pickups, abilities, and simple AI. Clean, component-based code that designers can iterate on quickly.
Networking & Multiplayer
Session flow, replication basics, lobby logic, and authoritative gameplay for small- to mid-scale prototypes in UE5/Unity.
UI Engineering
HUDs, menus, and in-game overlays (Unity UGUI/UIToolkit, Unreal UMG). Data-driven widgets and responsive layouts tied to gameplay events.
Tools & Pipelines
Editor tooling for designers (level helpers, data validators), build automation with GitHub Actions, and structured ScriptableObject/DataTable setups.
Performance & Debugging
Frame analysis, basic profiling, draw-call hygiene, and cheap wins for CPU/GPU hotspots before deep optimization.
Design Skills
Systems & Mechanics Design
From core loops to verbs and progression. I prototype fast, test early, and keep mechanics teachable and replayable.
Level Design
Blockouts with strong readability, landmarking, and encounter pacing. Iteration based on playtest heatmaps and player flow.
Narrative & Character
UX/UI for Games
Wireframes to final HUDs: input mapping, affordances, iconography, and accessibility (readability, color contrast, input hints).
Balancing & Telemetry
Difficulty curves, economy tuning, and lightweight telemetry to validate assumptions instead of guessing.
Soft Skills
Collaboration & Communication
Clear hand-offs, async updates, and honest scope talk. I translate between design, art, and engineering without friction.
Player-First Mindset
Decisions framed by player intent, not just team preference—every feature must serve clarity, fun, or fantasy.
Ownership & Reliability
I pick up loose ends, write the missing tool, and protect the schedule by de-risking early.
Agile & Iteration
Sprint-friendly tickets, rapid prototyping, playtest rituals, and “cut or keep” decisions based on evidence.
Problem-Solving under Pressure
Triage, minimal viable fixes, and calm escalation paths when builds break or deadlines loom.
Facilitation & Feedback
Running small workshops, giving/receiving actionable feedback, and mentoring juniors on craft basics.
Let’s Build Something
Leave me a short message explaining what you need. A partner for a Game Dev Jam, a partner in your team or access to a shown asset?
Denis Schlusche
Passionate Game Developer and Game Designer, creating joyful and immersive experiences, where gameplay and storytelling come together.