Jack Shallenberg

Video Game Programmer/Designer & Graphic Designer

About Me

I'm a Bachelor of Innovation Student currently studying Game Deign and Development at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and I am devoted to be a part of the gaming industry, because I am passionate about making games that the younger generation can enjoy. In my youth, I enjoyed making friends and memories through the video games we played together. I’ve been gaining and honing my skills in programming, animation, and concept creation, and I am eager to contribute my skills to a professional team. With a strong foundation in C# and Unity I believe that I can be a great asset to help push the ideas of video games and help create something amazing.

The Innovation Program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) fosters creativity, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving across disciplines. It provides students with resources like makerspaces, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Through a mix of coursework, workshops, and experiential learning, the program equips participants with the skills and mindset to drive impactful change. UCCS aims to empower individuals to turn ideas into viable ventures and meaningful contributions to society.

    I want to make sure that the future of video games stays fun for all audiences and I am concerned about the certain practices some of the video game industry is currently practicing. What I want for the future is to make games that future generations can enjoy as I have when growing up and create experiences that people can enjoy and talk about and maybe help grow the community. But there are too many games that try to ride the success of other games and try to copying the games style to the exact mechanics and change nothing. As well as games that are basic cash grabs using a gambling method in their game to gain as much cash as possible. But I want to go beyond creating a successful game and create a game that will help create communities.
    This means as an innovator I have to expand my thinking and test my skills to create something new and take that on the risks that may arise from the path I take. Because the video game industry is very competitive so it is important to think creatively and see what has been created and the risks they faced to get a rough understanding of what I will face. Then look to see and find the areas of the successes of certain video games and find areas that you can push farther to create something with possibilities that haven’t been visualized yet. This can also lead down the path to possibly create a whole new genre of video games or story that a generation of people never got to experience until now.
    In order to do this, I not only have to be on top of technical skills but also keep in touch with the latest in cutting edge technology to see if I can use it to create something brand new. For Instance, there have been video games like Beat Saber who have taken the steps create something new with VR technology and let the person playing actually be in the game and become apart of it. But not only that there have been games that are currently trying their hand at the latest innovations of cloud gaming, ray tracing, machine learning, and so much more to develop something new and groundbreaking for the video game Industry and I can’t wait to develop something new through these Innovative breakthroughs.
     But overall, what’s most important about the video games innovation for me is about what the players experience the first time with my games. I want to immerse my players with something new and fun that will create memorable moments for them, their friends, and the community as a whole. I want to make sure that the players get an experience that resonate with them whether or not it’s the story, mechanics, the puzzles I want to create, or something else. I want to make sure I evoke that feeling of wonder like I had growing up playing some of my favorite games.
    In conclusions, being a video game innovator is more about just creating a game, its about pushing the boundaries of what currently exists in game design. It involves taking risks, learning new skills and technology, and most importantly understanding what the people want and giving them an experience of awe and wonder. So, as an innovator in video game design, I look forward to see what I can create and hope to see my games become loved by the community and hope to gain new skill along the way to make my games even better than the last.

Education and Experience

I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve learned at both colleges I’ve attended. Each institution has provided me with unique opportunities to grow academically, personally, and professionally. The knowledge and skills I’ve gained have shaped my perspective and prepared me for future challenges, and I’m grateful for the experiences and connections I’ve made along the way.

My Work


Reap and Sow

An Action Adventure


Chaos Classroom

A Bullet Heaven Roguelike

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