Sam Lucyk, Developer in New York City, NY, United States

Sam Lucyk

Game, Web, and Blockchain Developer

Location
New York City, NY, United States
Toptal Member Since
April 11, 2022

Sam is an accomplished game, web, and blockchain developer with over a decade of experience. He has recently worked for more than four years as the lead developer and product lead of an edtech gaming startup, building their product from the ground up. After the company's acquisition, he managed the transition of the product before ending his time there. He currently leads a game studio focusing on Web3 game development and is eager to work on new, challenging projects and goals.

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Portfolio

Studio Garnish
Unity, Node.js, React, Solidity, Blockchain Game Development, Blockchain...
Shoelace Learning
JavaScript, Unity, Node.js, React, MongoDB, AWS Lambda, Unity3D, Python, Scrum...
Davoscript
Node.js, MongoDB, React, Unity3D, Python, Game Development, JavaScript...

Experience

Game Development - 8 yearsUnity - 8 yearsNode.js - 8 yearsDevOps - 4 yearsSolidity - 2 yearsBlockchain Game Development - 2 yearsNon-fungible Tokens (NFT) - 2 years

Location

New York City, NY, United States

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Unity, Node.js, MongoDB, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Unity3D, C#, JavaScript, Full-stack Development, SQL, JSON, Async/Await, Unity2D, REST APIs, Databases

The most amazing...

...thing I've developed and designed is a real-time multiplayer strategy game used by more than three million students across the world.

Work Experience

2021 - PRESENT

Founder and Chief Technology Office (CTO)

Studio Garnish
  • Developed game services used across multiple games for multiple clients for leaderboards and wallet integrations.
  • Managed a team of developers and artists to coordinate work and deliverables to meet aggressive deadlines for multiple clients.
  • Developed a Web3 play-to-earn and NFT game for the Doge Dash project.
  • Developed and designed a 3D Dungeon Crawler NFT game for a client to add value to their project.
Technologies: Unity, Node.js, React, Solidity, Blockchain Game Development, Blockchain, Non-fungible Tokens (NFT), Unity3D, Python, Leadership, Architecture, C#, Game Development, JavaScript, 2D Games, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, TypeScript, APIs, JSON, Third-party APIs, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Cryptocurrency, Mobile Game Design, CTO, Async/Await, API Integration, 3D Games, Multiplayer, Networking, Game Design, Unity2D, CSS, HTML, IT Project Management, Project Management, System Architecture, Application Architecture, REST APIs, Databases, CI/CD Pipelines, Security, Express.js, Amazon Web Services (AWS), DevOps, MongoDB Atlas, GraphQL
2017 - 2021

Lead Developer and Game Product Lead

Shoelace Learning
  • Led the development and design of Squiggle Park: Dreamscape, an educational reading game for grades two to eight with more than three million registered users. Added Unity to an API built with a Node.js serverless framework using AWS Lambda.
  • Headed the technical transition of the game Squiggle Park from Eyeread Inc. to Dreambox Learning.
  • Architected and maintained a MongoDB and event-tracking service for two applications to track progress toward goals and utilize feature design and prioritization.
  • Developed a minimum viable product (MVP) for a dashboard application using the MERN stack. Managed a team of developers and artists to meet aggressive deadlines while ensuring a high-quality user experience.
Technologies: JavaScript, Unity, Node.js, React, MongoDB, AWS Lambda, Unity3D, Python, Scrum, Leadership, Architecture, C#, Game Development, 2D Games, Full-stack, Stripe, MySQL, Full-stack Development, TypeScript, SQL, APIs, JSON, Third-party APIs, Mobile Game Design, Async/Await, Go, API Integration, Multiplayer, Networking, Game Design, Unity2D, Phaser.io, CSS, HTML, IT Project Management, Project Management, System Architecture, Application Architecture, REST APIs, Databases, CI/CD Pipelines, Security, Express.js, Amazon Web Services (AWS), DevOps, MongoDB Atlas
2016 - 2017

Full-stack Developer

Davoscript
  • Developed real-time web applications for SimCase using Node.js and MongoDB to be used by professors and students at the Kellogg School of Management.
  • Maintained and designed a database to be shared across multiple games.
  • Oversaw the testing and deployment process for the application.
Technologies: Node.js, MongoDB, React, Unity3D, Python, Game Development, JavaScript, Full-stack, Stripe, MySQL, Full-stack Development, SQL, APIs, JSON, Third-party APIs, Mobile Game Design, Async/Await, API Integration, CSS, HTML, System Architecture, Application Architecture, REST APIs, Databases, CI/CD Pipelines, Security, Express.js, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Experience

Dreamscape

https://www.playdreamscape.com/
Dreamscape is the first-ever video game that allows players to adventure, build, and imagine their way to enhancing literacy skills for grades two to eight. There is always something new to learn and explore with an ever-expanding universe of characters, stories, and rewards. I led the development and design of the product for four years at Shoelace Learning.

Doge Dash

Doge Dash is a play-to-earn game built on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC). The aim of the game is simple. Players have to dash as fast as possible through all of the ten levels while collecting coins along the way. Successful players who complete all levels will be rewarded with accumulated coins. I headed the game, smart contract, and NFT development.

Chicken-verse Game Demo

https://demos.studiogarnish.com/vids/CHKN-DEMO.mp4
Chicken-verse was an NFT project for which I built a 3D Dungeon Crawler demo. The game was used to promote the project and be built on in the future. I oversaw the development and design of the game. I also developed the NFT contract and minting page.

Galaxy Doge

Galaxy Doge is a small casual game I developed for a team launching a token project. They used the game as a marketing tool to promote their launch. I led the development and design of the game and leaderboard system.

P2E Billiards Game (in-progress)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MPB0zLlcso
Billiards Game is built in Unity, integrating NFTs and Smart Contracts for play to earn mechanics. The game is being made on the Solana Network. Pool cues, tables, and scenes will be served as NFTs and allowed to be used in tournaments. The early phase is still in progress.

Skills

Languages

Solidity, JavaScript, SQL, Python, C#, CSS, HTML, TypeScript, GraphQL, Go

Frameworks

Unity, Unity3D, Unity2D, Express.js, Phaser.io

Libraries/APIs

Node.js, React, WebGL, Web3.js, Stripe, REST APIs

Tools

MongoDB Atlas, Spine

Paradigms

DevOps, Agile Software Development, Scrum, Mobile Game Design, Application Architecture

Platforms

AWS Lambda, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Blockchain, iOS, Android

Storage

MongoDB, JSON, Databases, MySQL

Industry Expertise

Project Management, Security

Other

Game Development, Web Development, Blockchain Game Development, Non-fungible Tokens (NFT), Software Project Management, Lambda Functions, Full-stack Development, Game Back-end, Back-end Development, Data Architecture, Software Architecture, Web App Development, 2D Games, Full-stack, APIs, Third-party APIs, Async/Await, API Integration, 3D Games, Multiplayer, Networking, Game Design, IT Project Management, System Architecture, CI/CD Pipelines, Leadership, Architecture, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Cryptocurrency, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), CTO, Solana

Education

2012 - 2017

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and Cognitive Psychology

Northeastern University - Boston, MA, United States