# Intentionally Blank Unlimited Hi! I'm Niki, a **game developer and designer** with over 5 years in games and a strong research background ([MPhil](https://philos.msu.ru/en), [DiGRA](https://dl.digra.org/index.php/dl/article/view/2049), 23+ academic contributions). My goal is to create compelling player experiences inspired by thought-provoking ideas. Among my 15 hand-crafted games are works that make [[IBU/GAME DESIGN/Universal Acid|evolutionary theory]], [existentialism](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3959020/Imagine_Sisyphus_Happy/), and other fascinating conceptions fun and accessible. Please feel free to explore my projects, and I'm always happy to chat or receive any feedback = ) ***Contact***: [email protected] || [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikitastulikov/) || [Resume](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VVWPNkdT5VY6OyKrPLfVjaaPr8nvMkf-/view?usp=sharing) || [Portfolio Slides](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1r19hJuie31veU8GbB3LLs0sS5yDFlkcSGLOqPXRerAQ/edit?usp=sharing) ***Skills***: [[IBU/GAME DESIGN/GAME DESIGN LIST|Gameplay Programming]] || [[IBU/GAME DESIGN/Toy Worlds Atlas|Puzzle Design]] || [[IBU/RESEARCH/RESEARCH LIST|UX & Design Research]] || [[IBU/ENVIRONMENTS/ENVIRONMENTS LIST|Level Design]] || [[IBU/NARRATIVE/NARRATIVE LIST|Narrative Design]] || [[IBU/ENVIRONMENTS/Zones/Daemonium|3D Modelling]] || [[IBU/TECH ART|VFX]] || Business Development & SMM ***Tools***: Unity, C#, Unreal Engine, Blueprints, Git, Blender, Maya, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Animate, Premier, After Effects, Substance Painter, Figma, Penpot, InVision, Twine, Yarn Spinner, Notion, Trello, Flying Donut ![[ATTACHMENTS/MaskedAvatar.jpg]] *** ### Current Solo Project: [[IBU/GAME DESIGN/Toy Worlds Atlas|Toy Worlds Atlas]] *Accepted for the Showcase Exhibition at [DiGRA 2026](https://www.digraconference2026.com/)!* <iframe src="https://store.steampowered.com/widget/4976060/" frameborder="0" width="646" height="190"></iframe>  # *EXPERTISE* #### GAME DESIGN: [[IBU/GAME DESIGN/GAME DESIGN LIST|Toy Philosophy]] Making games as profound as philosophy and philosophy as accessible as toys. 15+ games completed solo or in small teams ![[DESIGNS/ToyWorldsAtlas/Gameplay/Atlas_Gifs/SteamRibbon_Dragonfly.gif]] *** #### NARRATIVE: [[IBU/NARRATIVE/NARRATIVE LIST|Possible Worlds Engineering]] Combining refined literary tools with a thoughtful approach to the game medium to create intriguing narratives with genuine emotional depth ![[IBU/APPENDIX/Logos/Fortunate_ribbon.png]] *** #### LEVEL DESIGN: [[IBU/ENVIRONMENTS/ENVIRONMENTS LIST|Daydreaming+]] Building playgrounds for minds that inspire curiosity and exploration ![[IBU/APPENDIX/Logos/Ribbon_Maze.png]] *** #### RESEARCH: [[IBU/RESEARCH/RESEARCH LIST|Game Ontology]] Applying philosophy and theory to build structured pipelines, effective designs, and constructive feedback processes. 3 peer-reviewed publications on games, 20+ contributions to major game research conferences and exhibition showcases. ![[IBU/APPENDIX/Logos/Ribbon_ArsMechanica.png]] # *PROJECTS* #### [[IBU/NARRATIVE/Concepts/HeaRtSnaTChinG PLasTiciNe jUnGLes|HeaRtSnaTChinG PLasTiciNe jUnGLes]] A solo metrodivania game project about the heart of a forest that snatches human hearts. References Boris Vian's surrealist novel "Heartsnatcher". ![[DESIGNS/HeartsnatchingJungles/Models/Blender/FishHands.gif]] *** #### [[IBU/ENVIRONMENTS/Levels/Polako II|Polako II]] Stealth-action level based on Balkan brutalist architecture ![[ATTACHMENTS/MAPS/GenexTower/In-Game/UFO-Genex_short.gif]] *** #### [[IBU/ENVIRONMENTS/Levels/Borders|Borders]] **Play on [Itch](https://toy-worlds.itch.io/borders)** A personal solo project that explores concepts of limits, inevitability, division, and loss. ![[ATTACHMENTS/MAPS/Borders/In-Game/Borders_3Scenes.gif]] *** #### [[IBU/GAME DESIGN/Universal Acid|Universal Acid]] **Play on [Itch](https://toy-worlds.itch.io/universal-acid)** Evolutionary adaptation — the process of fitting into the environment — resembles a universal acid that seeps into every crack and eats through everything. A short game developed solo. ![[DESIGNS/UniversalAcid/UniAcid_Gameplay.gif]] *** #### [[IBU/ENVIRONMENTS/Zones/Daemonium|Δαιμόνιον]] *Daemonium*, a representation of mind where people fight their demons. Modelled after the Ancient Greek understanding of consciousness. ![[DESIGNS/Daemonium/DaemoniumTurnaround.gif]] # *MOOD* <iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/7GUQgcc7VnAS9Y57CKocq4?utm_source=generator&si=c641735c15bd4ad3" width="100%" height="152" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe> *** ![[IBU/APPENDIX/(_IB_)/timeTree.(_IB_)|timeTree.(_IB_)]]