VITTORIO BELLINELLO
GAME DESIGNER
Game Designer working at newcomer indie studio Monkey Strike Games, currently working on our first commercial release! I'm a flexible designer but particularly passionate about polished and fun moment-to-moment gameplay. Check out my portfolio and see some of the projects I've worked on!
PIZZAPOCALYPSE 2 - 2026
GAME DESIGNER
A 3D platformer with a pizza moveset that's accessible & engaging to all skill levels! Explore different countries, and put a stop to the evil corporation ruining Pizza!
3D Platformer / ~25 People / Ongoing development
RESPONSIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS:
• Responsibility over concepting and implementing the player's move-set and controls.
• Playtesting, iterating, and fine-tuning character metrics.
• Close collaboration with the animation team and implementation/blending animations using Unreal's Animation Toolset.
• Concepting and implementing various enemies and level mechanics, including a physics-based drivable vehicle.
• QA testing and bug fixing throughout the project.
GRAPPLE CAR - 2026
PERSONAL SOLO PROJECT
A car with a grappling hook! Twist and turn with tight driving controls. Beat time trials to customize your car, and race for a spot at the timed global online leaderboards.
Racing / Steam / Ongoing development
RESPONSIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS:
• Designing, prototyping, and iterating on the initial game concept
• Defining project scope and deliverables.
• Implementing all game systems, including leaderboards, car customization, and all UI.
• Developed car driving behavior from scratch with Unreal Blueprints.
• Track design and set dressing.
• Playtesting, iterating, and QA on all aspects of the game.
• Creation of all graphical assets and game marketing.
DRINK UP, COWBOY! - 2026
GAME DESIGNER
A roguelike cowboy bartending game where you use your trusty revolver to make drinks, and take out troublemakers! Use your hard-earned cash to upgrade your skills and customize your saloon!
Bartending Shooter / ~10 People / Ongoing development
RESPONSIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS:
• Concepting and implementing moment-to-moment gameplay interactions such as shooting, picking up, and throwing objects.
• Adding game juice, animations, and feedback to all actions in the game so even basic interactions feel satisfying and meaty.
• Implementing upgrades and meta-progression systems.
• Implementation of a customer management system to balance difficulty levels dynamically throughout the playthrough.
• Composing and arranging of the game's soundtrack.
Rising Tide Challenge 2 Winner - Top 10 Placement
PIZZAPOCALYPSE - 2024
GAME DESIGNER & DESIGN LEAD
Master your pizza tool-set to traverse a corporation-ridden city and make a delivery to those in need in this cartoony 3D platformer!
3D Platformer / Steam / ~12 Weeks
RESPONSIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS:
• Maintaining consistent design ideas in all aspects of the project.
• Concepting and implementing the player's move-set, controls, and camera. Playtesting, iterating, and fine-tuning character metrics
• Close collaboration with our animator and implementation of the custom animations in Unreal's Animation Blueprint.
47K+ Downloads - 270+ Reviews, 96% Positive
The Rookies 2025 Finalist - Game of the Year
DGA 2024 Nominated - Best Student Game
GDWC 2024 Finalist - Best Student Game
BUAS Awards 2024 - Best Game, Best Design, Best Art
A twin-stick shooter with a fun twist: Utilize enemy's bodies as weapons in this tightly-packed, fast-paced twin-stick shooter chess-like with fun visuals and an original soundtrack.
Twin-stick shooter / Solo Project / 8 Weeks
RESPONSIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS:
• Designing the initial game concept and defining project scope.
• Prototyping various mechanics and systems.
• Implementing and balancing various game systems such as ammo, health, and AI behavior.
• Handcrafting 50 enemy waves and 14 enemy types.
• Developing customizable enemy AI with grid-based, chess-like pathfinding.
• Developing a modular and customizable weapon system.
• Playtesting, iterating, and QA on all aspects of the game.
CHUNS - 2023
SOLO PROJECT
DREADTOME - 2025
GAME DESIGNER
Fight enemies with unique environmental combat in a corrupt and hostile library with the task of extracting forbidden knowledge from its tomes.
First Person Shooter / 23 People / ~24 Weeks
RESPONSIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS:
• Prototyping, implementing, and iterating on many of the player-related mechanics, such as the repulsion ability and weapon.
• Implementing and integrating first-person animations utilizing a modular Unreal Animation Blueprint system.
• Guiding artwork on the player's weapon and arms.
• Design and functionality of much of the player's HUD.
• Many level hazards and mechanics, including a dynamic collectible and pickup system.
GDWC 2025 Top 5 - Best Student Game
BUAS Awards 2025 - Best Design, Best Art
The Rookies 2025 Draft Selection - Game of the Year
11K+ Downloads - 190+ Reviews, 93% Positive
SMASH BALLS- 2023
GAME DESIGNER & DESIGN LEAD
Face off against your friends in this frenetic platform fighter with a unique movement mechanic that puts a thrilling spin on the genre!
Couch Versus Platform Fighter / 14 People / ~8 Weeks
RESPONSIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS:
• Maintaining consistent design ideas in all aspects of the project, ensuring the mechanics and systems support the game's intended player experience.
• Concepting, documenting, and implementing the level mechanics and underlying game systems like rounds and points tracking.
• Working with programmers to implement and fine-tune game systems
• Helping ensure art assets provide clear visibility and support gameplay.
BUAS Awards 2023 - Best Design
