My Contributions

Here are a few of my contributions on Stampede throughout the 3+ years I’ve worked on the project.

Feature-lead track stability and migration work.
Fixed waypoint system bugs and major respawn issues.
Migrated multiple tracks, fixing issues and running playtests.
Developed early bot AI, including navigation logic and item usage.
Introduced shortcut logic for AI, dynamically deciding whether to take shortcuts based on traffic.
Refined navmesh to prevent bots from getting stuck.
Established criteria for “good bots” to ensure competitive AI performance.
Added logic for bots to avoid slow-down surfaces and optimized racing lines.

Implemented GZIP compression for HTTP requests, significantly reducing server costs.
Designed and implemented key race analytics events (start, lap ended, finish, elimination, heartbeat, power-ups).
Optimized analytics data handling and event batching, reducing server costs.
Split the Analytics code into two separate classes for better maintainability. (Analytics & Telemetry)

Designed and built an Emoji Messaging System (MVP) for lobby interactions, integrating UI, input handling, and network communication.
Added controller preset options and integrated them into UI systems.
Improved boot screen visuals and added timers.
Enhanced end-game flow UI with countdown indicators.

Fixed critical bugs in the build process.
- Fixed false-success reports.
- Added automated clearing of build folders before server builds to prevent errors.
Reduced pipeline build warnings and errors to zero and upgraded a major SDK.
Fixed all build warnings on server and client builds.

Improved debug UI making it clearer and easier to use.
Added debug options to skip FTUE gameflows and modify race settings/parameters.

Improved an art tool to make camera handling more accessible.
Worked on a spline tool for tracks, leading discussions and documentation efforts.

Provided extensive support to designers and artists, including fixing animation issues.
Reviewed and documented plugins, identifying the need for updates/removals and reporting this.

Gave multiple presentations to stakeholders from investigations into features.
Sent important emails to stakeholders communicating updates on track stability processes, which were mentioned as highly useful.
Documented kart physics, debugger settings, AI systems, analytics structures, gameflow logic, and artist tools.
Investigated and presented findings to stakeholders on deprecated systems for environment tools.

I have volunteered for a handful of events, representing Sumo by helping out at schools and conferences.
I’ve been on 3 Sumo Leamington news posts, which have reached over 9,600+ views.

About Stampede Racing Royale