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UNREAL ENGINE 5  ·  UNREAL C++ PROGRAMMER  ·  SPAIN
VRAM: 8.1GB   DRAW CALLS: 312
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// INSTANCE_INITIALIZED

DAVID
ESPADA

Multiplayer AAA experience · Led & shipped a AA game on PC, PS5 & Xbox

Unreal Engine 5  ·  Unreal C++ Programmer

Spain  ·  Open to Relocation & Remote

5+
Years Exp.
AAA
Latest Project
🏆
Epic MegaJam
Winner
VIEW WORK GET IN TOUCH
1// DavidEspada.cpp — Unreal C++ Programmer
2 
3#include "DavidEspada.h"
4#include "AbilitySystemComponent.h"
5#include "CommonUI/CommonUITypes.h"
6#include "Net/UnrealNetwork.h"
7 
8DEFINE_LOG_CATEGORY(LogDavidEspada);
9 
10ADavidEspada::ADavidEspada()
11{
12  Role = "Lead / Gameplay Programmer";
13  Engine = "Unreal Engine 5";
14  Location = "Spain";
15  // GAS · 3Cs · Multiplayer · Console · Anim
16  bCanLead = true;
17  bAvailable = true;
18}
19 
20void ADavidEspada::BeginPlay() { Super::BeginPlay();
01   About

WHO I AM

I'm a Unreal C++ Gameplay Programmer specialising in Unreal Engine 5, most recently at GRIP Studios where I worked on an unannounced Triple-A multiplayer title. I've shipped real games on real hardware — PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S — and I know that solid architecture isn't a bonus; it's what keeps a codebase alive across years of production.

As Lead Programmer at Daloar Studios, I owned the full Unreal C++ architecture of The Occultist — a AA first-person narrative horror published by Daedalic Entertainment and showcased at Gamescom 2024. I architected and implemented GAS for the full game, owned all 3Cs (Character, Camera, Controls), integrated CommonUI, shipped technical animation & locomotion systems, and ported the game to PS5 and Xbox Series devkits. Not just lead — also a hands-on programmer across the full stack. The game launched April 8, 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Long before doing this professionally, I was doing it anyway. I've shipped indie games solo, won the Epic MegaJam as sole programmer, landed Kibus at #1 on Itch.io, and built VR experiences for standalone hardware. That foundation means I understand the full stack — not just my own slice of it.

I write systems that designers can actually iterate on and that the next programmer won't curse. If your team needs someone who can go from whiteboard architecture to shippable Unreal C++ — and lead others while doing it — let's talk.

// Why I Make Games

I don't just build games — I live them. Outer Wilds recently re-taught me how powerful this medium truly is: how a game can change you for the better and earn a permanent place in your heart. Growing up with Final Fantasy, I fell in love with worlds that felt alive — characters you wanted to stay with, places you never wanted to leave.

But as I grew older I discovered the other side of the spectrum — the deeply psychological, the unsettling, the meaningful. Games like Silent Hill became some of my all-time favourites, proving that interactive experiences can reach places no other art form can. That duality — wonder and darkness — is what drives me to create.

  • Gameplay Programmer @ GRIP Studios
  • Unannounced Triple-A Multiplayer title
  • Open to senior / lead Unreal C++ roles
  • GAS Architecture & Implementation
  • 3Cs — Character, Camera, Controls
  • Multiplayer & Replication (UE5)
  • CommonUI Integration
  • Technical Animation & Locomotion
  • Console Porting — PS5 / Xbox Series X/S
  • VR — Oculus Quest 2
  • Team Leadership & Mentoring
  • Editor Tooling & Pipeline Automation
  • Epic MegaJam Winner — The Yellow Robot
  • Itch.io #1 — Kibus
  • Podcast host — game dev & tech
  • daboiowich.itch.io
  • Spanish — Native
  • English — Professional
02   Projects

RECENT & SHIPPED
WORK

// TRIPLE-A  ·  MULTIPLAYER  ·  UE5  ·  GRIP STUDIOS
[REDACTED]
AAA ✔ COMPLETED
🖥 PC  ·  🎮 PS5  ·  🎮 Xbox Series X|S
Worked on an unannounced Triple-A multiplayer title at GRIP Studios. Responsible for Unreal C++ core gameplay systems, multiplayer replication architecture, and cross-team feature ownership. Details under NDA.
UE5Unreal C++ MultiplayerReplicationTriple-ANDA 🔒
// Links
🌐 GRIP STUDIOS
01
// AA  ·  SURVIVAL HORROR  ·  UE5  ·  PC · PS5 · XSX
The Occultist
AA 🚀 SHIPPING APRIL 8, 2026
🖥 PC  ·  🎮 PS5  ·  🎮 Xbox Series X|S
Devcom 2023 Blockbuster Award  ·  Several Industry Awards
Led the programming team on a next-gen AA first-person narrative horror — published by Daedalic Entertainment, showcased at Gamescom 2024, voiced by Doug Cockle (Geralt of Rivia). Full Unreal C++ architecture: GAS implementation, all 3Cs, CommonUI, technical animation & locomotion, console devkit porting, and hands-on programming across the full stack. Hired and mentored junior developers.
GAS Architecture3CsCommonUI PS5 DevkitXbox Series X/S Tech AnimationTeam LeadAA
// Links
🌐 WEBSITE 🎮 STEAM ▶ TRAILER
02
// INDIE  ·  GAME JAM  ·  EPIC MEGAJAM  ·  WINNER  ·  2023
The Yellow Robot
INDIE ✔ SHIPPED
🏆 Epic MegaJam Winner 2023
Won the Epic MegaJam as the team's sole programmer — only coder alongside artists and animators. Handled all gameplay systems and delivery under jam constraints. Featured in the official Epic Games YouTube announcement.
Epic MegaJam WinnerSole ProgrammerUnreal Engine
// Links
🎮 ITCH.IO ▶ VIDEO
03
// INDIE  ·  PERSONAL PROJECT  ·  ONGOING
Nodine
INDIE ⚙ ONGOING
Ongoing solo passion project with published devlogs on Itch.io. Proof that the drive to ship doesn't clock out after hours. The project continues to evolve.
Solo Dev
// Links
🎮 ITCH.IO
04
// INDIE  ·  VR  ·  STANDALONE  ·  QUEST 2  ·  FRAMEOVER  ·  2020
VR Standalone Experience
INDIE ✔ SHIPPED
Programmed a VR experience and interactive prototype for Oculus Quest 2 at FrameOver. Built the full VR interaction system from scratch, UI navigation, SDK integration, app builds, and Android profiling to hit stable FPS targets on-device.
VRQuest 2 Android ProfilingUE4SDK Integration
05
// INDIE  ·  ADVENTURE  ·  DIPLOMA PROJECT  ·  SOLE PROGRAMMER  ·  2020
C.I.E.V
INDIE ✔ SHIPPED
PrimerFrame diploma final project — built as sole programmer. Implemented base systems, player programming, pushable mechanics, and all UI. A complete game shipped from scratch while still studying.
Sole ProgrammerPlayer Systems Unreal EngineDiploma Project
// Links
🎮 ITCH.IO ▶ VIDEO
06
// INDIE  ·  ITCH.IO #1  ·  SOLO DEV  ·  2019
Kibus
INDIE ✔ SHIPPED
🥇 Itch.io #1
Solo indie game that hit #1 on Itch.io and held the spot for several days. Gameplay, systems, and shipping — all solo. Proof that the work can find an audience entirely on its own.
Itch.io #1Solo DevGame Jam
// Links
🎮 ITCH.IO
07
// INDIE  ·  GAME JAM  ·  NEON RUNNER
Syzygy
INDIE ✔ SHIPPED
Neon wireframe endless runner built for a game jam. All gameplay and systems handled independently — proof that the drive to ship doesn't clock out after hours.
Solo DevNeon Runner Game Jam
// Links
🎮 ITCH.IO
08
03   Skills

TECHNICAL
STACK

// Core Proficiencies
Unreal Engine 5Unreal C++ GAS Architecture3Cs Design Multiplayer / ReplicationTechnical Animation Core SystemsTeam LeadershipAI (BT / EQS) Python (Pipeline)
// Engine & Language
Unreal Engine 5Unreal Engine 4 Unreal C++Blueprints Python (Tooling)
// Gameplay Systems
GASCommonUI Core Systems3CsSlate UI Behavior TreesEQS Anim BlueprintsMotion Warping
// Multiplayer & Platforms
MultiplayerDedicated ServerReplication Graph PS5 DevkitXbox Series X/S VR / Quest 2
// Tools & Pipeline
Unreal InsightsEditor Scripting Rider / VS 2022PerforceGit
04   Timeline

CHANGE
LOG

All
2025
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2025 - Present
Gameplay Programmer — GRIP Studios
2022–2025
Lead Programmer — Pentakill / Daloar Studios · The Occultist
Oct 2020
VR Programmer — FrameOver
2018 →
Indie Developer — Game Jams & Personal Projects
2025 - Present
Gameplay Programmer — GRIP Studios
Worked at GRIP Studios on an unannounced Triple-A multiplayer title. Wrote Unreal C++ core systems, multiplayer replication architecture, and gameplay features alongside a seasoned team. Details under NDA.
2022–2025
Lead Programmer — Pentakill / Daloar Studios · The Occultist
Ascended to Lead Programmer on The Occultist — a AA UE5 narrative horror for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, published by Daedalic Entertainment. Full Unreal C++ ownership: GAS, 3Cs, CommonUI, technical animation, console devkit porting, and deep hands-on gameplay work across the full stack. Mentored junior devs and ran technical interviews. Shipped April 8, 2026.
Devcom 2023 Blockbuster Award
Aug 2024
Gamescom 2024 — The Occultist Showcased in Cologne
Wide press coverage. Doug Cockle (Geralt of Rivia) confirmed as lead voice actor. Release date announced for April 2026.
2023
Epic MegaJam Winner — The Yellow Robot
Won the Epic MegaJam 2023 as sole programmer alongside a team of artists and animators. Featured in the official Epic Games YouTube announcement.
Epic MegaJam Winner 2023
🎮 itch.io
2022–2024
Several Industry Awards — The Occultist
Multiple nominations and wins at Spanish and international events. Opened the door to the publisher conversation that led to Daedalic Entertainment.
Best Indie Videogame — FreakCon Málaga 2022
Aug 2021
Unreal Programmer — Pentakill Studios (now Daloar)
Joined Pentakill Studios (rebranded to Daloar) to build The Occultist from a blank project. No existing codebase — architecture decisions started day one. Progressed to Lead Programmer within the first year.
2021
Nodine — Solo Indie Demo Released
Shipped the first prototype of Nodine as a solo side project.
🎮 itch.io
2020
Diploma in Game Development — PrimerFrame
Graduated with a Diploma in Game Development. Final project C.I.E.V — built as sole programmer: base systems, player programming, pushable mechanics, and all UI. First time shipping a complete game under real deadline pressure.
Oct 2020
VR Programmer — FrameOver
Programmed a VR experience and prototype for Oculus Quest 2. Built the full VR interaction system from scratch, UI navigation, SDK integration, and Android profiling for stable on-device FPS. First paid industry role.
2019
Started Studying — PrimerFrame Game Development Diploma
Enrolled in PrimerFrame's game development programme covering programming, animation, and 3D art. The formal foundation of everything that followed.
2019
Kibus — Game Jam & Itch.io #1
Built and shipped Kibus for a game jam — reached #1 on Itch.io and held the position for several days. First real signal that the work could find an audience on its own.
Itch.io #1 — Kibus
🎮 itch.io
2019
Syzygy — Neon Endless Runner, Game Jam
Shipped Syzygy, a neon wireframe endless runner, as a solo game jam entry. All gameplay and systems handled independently.
🎮 itch.io
2018 →
Indie Developer — Game Jams & Personal Projects
Started shipping games independently before entering the industry. Competed in game jams, released projects publicly, and operated as a one-person studio — gameplay, systems, and shipping all solo. The full-stack mindset built here shows up every day.
05   Output Log

ENGINE
OUTPUT

OUTPUT LOG — UE5 // DavidEspada.cpp ENGINE RUNNING
>
06   Contact

OPEN FOR
OPPORTUNITIES

Available for senior or lead Unreal C++ roles on ambitious projects.
Gameplay systems  ·  Multiplayer  ·  Next-gen platforms.
Spain-based  ·  remote-friendly  ·  relocation negotiable.

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