Michael P. Riccio

LA Times GameLab

Led a team of 5 engineers, 2 artists and a producer through rapid prototyping of newspaper-oriented game concepts. Advanced the cutting edge by conceiving and implementing innovative prototypes based on LLM AI. Published three beta implementations on the LA Times GameLab site.

MythWalker

Led a 15-person engineering team from mid-development through soft launch and full release. Provided hands-on technical leadership across feature implementation, optimization, refactoring, and code reviews. Partnered with Production on roadmap planning and Agile sprint management.

HGTV: MyDesign

Led an 8-person engineering team from prototype through near-final release. Architected hierarchical state-machine systems, dynamic asset pipelines, and hybrid photorealistic rendering. Completed Engaged Leadership Training Program.

VB League Prototype

Directed technical prototyping of a real-time multiplayer game featuring jetpack vacuum soccer gameplay. Demonstrated rapid prototyping capabilities in Unreal Engine 4 alongside the Drawn to Death production.

Drawn to Death

Directed technical and production aspects of gameplay design and development. Delivered the PS4-exclusive title on schedule, meeting all milestones and submission deadlines. Recruited, managed, and mentored an 8-person engineering team.

Deadpool

Led a 6-person programming team from prototype through completion. Designed and implemented the core melee and ranged combat system with hit reactions, animation sync, and custom editor tools. Enhanced an advanced Hierarchical Task Network (HTN) AI system.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Enhanced and optimized the Goal Oriented Action Planning AI engine, developing engaging and realistic NPC behaviors. Expanded player-controlled Transformers with new weapons, abilities, and a Stealth Force strafing combat mode.

Transformers: War for Cybertron

Delivered realistic engaging gameplay by creating NPCs based on Goal Oriented Action Planning AI. Created system for AI navigation and path following for robots and vehicles, enabling NPC Transformer movement.

Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy

Managed a team of 8 programmers through Alpha, Beta, and Final Release, delivering 9 product SKUs on schedule. Created NPC character behaviors based on Hierarchical State Machine AI Engine.

GameDay 2004

Designed and implemented a state-machine AI system for authentic player behaviors, expanding it with play strategies and coach AI for realistic play-calling. Led a 10-person AI and animation team on next-generation football development. Primary inventor on Patent US 2007/0004481 A1: Position/Player-Specific Gameplay.

Twisted Metal 4

Designed and implemented vehicular combat AI and support tools providing game object property editing, visual quad-tree decomposition and A* path simulation.

Twisted Metal 3

Designed and implemented vehicular combat AI and support tools providing game object property editing, visual quad-tree decomposition and A* path simulation.

2Extreme

Front-end, memory card and controller programming for this extreme sports racing title on the original PlayStation.