John 'Rebel' McLaughlin
(he/him,they/them)Programming: Making things that allow you to focus on things you enjoy.
Senior Software Engineer at Riot Games
Highlights
Full profile
Career: 13
Developed client social features and player behavior systems for Valorant using C++ and Unreal Engine 4 and 5. ● Built server-side player rating and penalty features with Go and AWS services. ● Delivered game platform systems supporting live multiplayer experiences and player trust goals.
● Implemented game SDK features for GameSparks and GameKit using C++17. ● Coordinated server SDK development for GameLift with Go and C#. ● Designed Unity and Unreal plugins to improve developer workflows across game services. ● Built showcase games demonstrating platform features in Unity and Unreal Engine 4. ● Mentored engineers and supported planning through scrum leadership and cross-team coordination.
● Developed backend systems for AWS teams, cloud services, and an in-development game title. ● Replaced an outdated EC2-based service with an AWS Lambda-based solution. ● Supported project planning and led scrum meetings to help teams deliver platform work.
Etermax Berlin GmbH
Full-time · On-site
Consulted with and mentored the engineering team on backend architecture and C# services using AWS.
● Designed and implemented services, APIs, and front-end features for Twitch Bits. ● Built monetization platform features with TypeScript, Go, React, GraphQL, and AWS.
● Redesigned monolithic services into microservices to improve platform scalability and maintainability. ● Integrated third-party backend systems to deliver in-game content through AWS-based services. ● Supported game-connected platform experiences with Java and cloud infrastructure development.
Developed tools and plugins for DeltaGen using C++ and Qt.
● Taught introductory computer science courses covering programming paradigms, Java, and C++. ● Researched flow visualization systems using C++ and Unreal Engine 4.
● Implemented and extended internal tools in C#. ● Supported artists and designers through workflow improvements.
● Tested German localization for Destiny and managed localization test passes. ● Built small tools and scripts supporting localization workflows with C# and Python.
Provided localization and German-language support for Valve products at high ticket volume.
● Taught university-level courses in entertainment software development, rapid prototyping, and advanced game development. ● Helped rebuild the game development curriculum with Prof. Dr. Holger Theisel.
● Developed a realistic atmospheric real-time rendering system using C++, C#, and HLSL. ● Programmed interface and gameplay elements for a helicopter simulator in C++.
Skills: 32
Technical
Business
Interpersonal
Security
Other
Education: 1
University of Magdeburg
Diplom-Ingenieur, Computervisualistik
Involvement: 2
Community
President
Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, DE
Rebuilt student game development club into thriving non-profit association that built a new game development curriculum and offered official university courses in game development.
- Teaching
- Leadership
Volunteering
Assist with teaching game development
Seattle, Washington, US
Helping teachers in middle and high school teach game development classes
- Teaching
- Game Development
Languages: 3
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