Pedro Bessa

Software Engineer

Porto, Portugal

Software Engineer with 5+ years of professional experience developing cross-platform applications, primarily in game development using Unity and C#. I hold a bachelor's in Game Development and a master's in Computer Engineering, a combo that's given me both creative grounding and strong technical foundations. Contributed to 8 shipped titles in a professional capacity, 5 of which I supported from concept to release. Driven by curiosity and a constant desire to grow, I actively seek out ambitious projects that challenge me, whether that means tackling complex problems or diving into new technologies and unfamiliar tech stacks. Open to global relocation for the right opportunity.

Experience

Programmer

Virtual Campus Lda.

virtual-campus.eu

  • Developed cross-platform games targeting PC, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, WebGL, and Meta Quest (VR) in an Agile environment.
    • Built and maintained core gameplay systems and functionality of games developed as part of larger projects co-funded by the European Union.
    • 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 a junior programming intern, introducing best practices and guiding them through their first steps into game development.
  • Provided Unity onboarding and workflow support to a graphic design intern, helping bridge 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, Linux, Android, and iOS.
    • Implemented core gameplay systems and mechanics based on design specs and iteration feedback.
    • 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

Skills

Professional Experience

C#, Unity, Git, PlasticSCM, Visual Studio, Vuforia, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR)

Additional Experience

C, C++, Java, Objective-C, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS, Android Studio, Xcode, Unreal Engine, MonoGame, libGDX, raylib, HLSL, MySQL, phpMyAdmin

Projects

GaGEN

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

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

virtual-campus.eu/gagen

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 for children and young teenagers that focuses on developing emotional intelligence through varied minigames and gamified activities.

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

virtual-campus.eu/vc_product/loel

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.