Pedro Bessa

Software Engineer

Porto, Portugal

Software Engineer with 9+ years of professional experience shipping cross-platform titles across PC, Mac, Android, iOS, WebGL, and VR. Contributed to 10 released titles, 8 of which I led from initial prototype through deployment. Specialised in Unity and C#, with hands-on experience in applied games and VR development, performance optimisation, and full project lifecycle ownership. I hold a Master's in Computer Engineering and a Bachelor's in Game Development, a combo that’s given me both creative grounding and strong technical foundations. EU citizen available to relocate internationally.

Experience

Software Engineer

Virtual Campus Lda.

virtual-campus.eu

  • Developed cross-platform games targeting PC, Mac, Android, iOS, WebGL, and Meta Quest (VR) in an Agile environment.
    • Built and maintained core gameplay systems and functionality of video games.
    • Took ownership of full project lifecycle on select titles, from initial prototype to deployment.
    • Collaborated with the art team to import, configure, and integrate 3D models, animations, and other visual assets into production-ready scenes.
  • Optimised a Unity-based project for the University of Thessaly's Creative Technologies Learning Lab, achieving nearly 2x performance improvement.
  • Mentored junior interns from both programming and design backgrounds, introducing best practices and bridging the gap between visual design and implementation.
April 2021 – Present

Programmer

GILT - Games, Interaction and Learning Technologies

gilt.isep.ipp.pt

  • Developed cross-platform games targeting PC, Mac, Android, and iOS.
    • Implemented core gameplay systems and mechanics.
    • Translated abstract design concepts into implementable gameplay features and UI/UX interactions.
  • Maintained and updated legacy projects to ensure compatibility with modern devices and platform compliance (Google Play Store, Apple App Store).
May 2017 – April 2021

Technical Skills

Languages

C#, C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Objective-C

Game Engines & Frameworks

Unity, Unreal Engine, MonoGame, libGDX, raylib

XR & Graphics

Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Vuforia, HLSL

Tools & Development

Git, PlasticSCM, Visual Studio, Android Studio, Xcode

Projects

SHINE

Web platform to both teach and learn system thinking.

Tools: Unity, C# | Platforms: Web Browser

shine-game.eu

echonet

Adventure game where the player solves challenges and completes minigames to improve tech literacy skills.

Tools: Unity, C# | Platforms: Android, iOS

echonet on Google Play | echonet on App Store

GaGEN

A hidden object game that aims to teach about climate change through intergenerational play.

Tools: Unity, C# | Platforms: PC, Mac, Android, iOS, Web Browser

beacons.ai/gagenproject

Snappy Witch

Side-scrolling game based on Flappy Bird.

Tools: C++, raylib | Platforms: PC, Web Browser

tamanegicode.itch.io/snappy-witch

FLER

Virtual escape room with the purpose of enhancing financial literacy among adults.

Tools: Unity, C# | Platforms: PC, Web Browser

flerproject.eu/game

NATURE

City builder aimed at teaching higher education students about management of natural resources and environmental sustainability.

Tools: Unity, C# | Platform: PC

ctll.e-ce.uth.gr/index.php/nature

XR Skills

Virtual Reality game designed for teachers and educators to improve stress management skills.

Tools: Unity, C# | Platforms: PC, Meta Quest

xrskill.infoproject.eu

270 Seconds

Augmented Reality app developed for an art presentation that explores the theme of brain death.

Tools: Unity, Vuforia, C# | Platform: Android

github.com/ShenanigansInc/270-seconds

DeStress

3D dialogue-based game about coping with stress at the workplace.

Tools: Unity, C# | Platforms: PC, macOS

destress.eu/en/outcome-2

LOEL - League of Emotions Learners

Game that focuses on developing emotional intelligence through varied minigames and gamified activities.

Tools: Unity, C# | Platforms: Android, iOS

beacons.ai/loelapp

Transform@

Board game centered around entrepreneurship in rural areas.

Tools: Unity, C# | Platforms: PC, Web Browser

virtual-campus.eu/vc_product/transform

LearnIt

Collection of brain-training minigames created for Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto students.

Tools: Unity, C# | Platforms: PC, Android, iOS

Project Snatcher

2D stealth game for Android devices.

Tools: Java, libGDX, Android Studio | Platform: Android

tamanegicode.itch.io/project-snatcher

Tanks!

3D tank battle game prototype.

Tools: C#, MonoGame | Platform: PC

github.com/tamanegicode/tanks

Education

Master's Degree in Computer Engineering – Graphics Systems And Multimedia

Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto
isep.ipp.pt

Bachelor's Degree in Digital Games Development Engineering

Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave
ipca.pt

Publications

Developing Emotional Intelligence with a Game: The League of Emotions Learners Approach

Santos, J.; Jesmin, T.; Martis, A.; Maunder, M.; Cruz, S.; Novo, C.; Schiff, H.; Bessa, P.; Costa, R.; Carvalho, C.V.d.

doi.org/10.3390/computers10080097
August 2021

Creating Competitive Opponents for Serious Games through Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment

Kristan, D.; Bessa, P.; Costa, R.; Vaz de Carvalho, C.

doi.org/10.3390/info11030156
March 2020

Developing Entrepreneurship Skills with a Serious Game

Vaz de Carvalho, C., Costa, R., Bessa, P., Monterrubio, L., Santos, J.

doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22602-2_26
June 2019

LearnIt: A Serious Game to Support Study Methods in Engineering Education

C. V. de Carvalho, P. Bessa, R. Costa, A. Barata and A. Costa

doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON.2019.8725109
May 2019

Certifications

Certificate of Proficiency in English

Cambridge Assessment English

CEFR Level C2, Grade A (Score 225/230)

cambridgeenglish.org
December 2022

Languages

Portuguese – Native
English – Full professional proficiency (C2 CEFR)

Others

Delivered introductory lectures on Unity game development for a master's program at Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, by faculty invitation.