Cass Aleatory

My Story!

Hi there! My name's Cass Aleatory (or just Cassie if you prefer). You might also know me as @rk_firestorm, the handle I use across all my social media platforms. I'm an independent game developer and writer. While telling stories is my specialty, I'm also a pretty experienced programmer who's worked in C#, Java, C++, HTML, CSS, and Processing (Java based). In my spare time, I enjoy experimenting with other game development roles such as music composition, sound design, graphics art, community management, and user experience design.

I graduated from Verona Area High School in the spring of 2017, and am currently working towards two Bachelor's degrees. I'm a triple major in English: Professional Writing & Publishing, Media Arts & Game Development: Technology, and Film Studies at the University of Wisconsin in Whitewater. I'm also a member of the University Honors Program there.

Nowadays, I work mostly on projects of my own choosing that have personal significance to me. My stories tend to be character-based narratives that deal with themes of emotional and mental struggle, and how love, friendship, and communication are affected by the things that go on inside people's heads. I also enjoy writing metagame and nonlinear stories from time to time.

I'm currently hard at work on several large projects, including the character-driven, decisions-matter, multiple-act Exarch and End of The Party, a randomized-yet-decision-based light-hearted RPG. Even though I'm really stressed out 110% of the time, I'm always keeping my eyes open for even more projects that offer me the chance to tell cool stories. If you want to hire or work with me, please do reach out through any of the platforms linked in the footer below. Click "Contact Me" in the navbar to be taken directly there!

My Resume

Cass Aleatory

Skills

• Dialogue Writing
• Character Design
• Screenwriting
• Plot Design
• Informative Writing
• Presentations
• Content Editing
• Copyediting
• Unity Game Engine

Experience

Writer: UW-W Whitewater Research Apprenticeship Program
September 2018 - February 2019
Collaborating with a large team (nine people) to design an interactive art installation exploring themes of privacy in digital spaces. Writing key documents such as a privacy policy and terms of service. Editing the writing of others.

Gamewriter, Developer, Vice President: UW-W Game & Media Entertainment Developers
September 2019 - Present
Creating, leading, and writing for various student projects in a game development-based student organization. Setting up and attending game jams, skills workshops, and other events. Improving the backend infrastructure to help the organization run more smoothly.

Education

UW-Whitewater
Expected Graduation: May 2022
BS, Media Arts & Game Development: Technology Emphasis
BA, Film Studies & English: Professional Writing & Publishing Emphasis

Verona Area High School
Graduation: May 2017
High School Diploma

My Courseography

This section contains a listing of the academic coursework that helped me develop the skills and background knowledge I use to create my content. All courses currently featured were taken at UW-Whitewater, and thus are listed with their identifying numbers & department keys from that institution. For each course, I'll summarize the key tools and/or concepts I learned. That means you can use this section as a way to see some of the skills I've been developing!

Writing

• ENGLISH 274: Creative Writing - Fundamentals of creative writing
• ENGLISH 332: Writing for The Web - Creating nonfiction content for online use
• ENGLISH 362: The Grammar of Standard Written English - Grammar & language usage
• ENGLISH 366: Fiction Editing - Revising and improving fictional writing
• FILM 272: Critical Writing in Multimedia Contexts - Critical analysis of visual stories
• FILM 356: Text & Image - Visual storytelling
• FILM 376: Screenwriting - Writing and formatting scripts for visual stories
• MAGD 488: Advanced Team Projects - Practicum in writing for a large-scale game project

Programming

• COMPSCI 172: Introduction to Java (via AP Computer Science A) - Fundamentals of programming in the Java language
• COMPSCI 174: Introduction to C++ - Fundamentals of programming in the C++ language
• COMPSCI 181: Introduction to Database & Web - Basic HTML, CSS, and SQL programming
• COMPSCI 222: Intermediate C++ - Higher-level programming in the C++ language
• COMPSCI 223: Data Structures - Methods for storing, sorting, and searching information
• COMPSCI 296: Introduction to C# - Fundamentals of programming in the C# language
• COMPSCI 332: Artificial Intelligence - Basic AI algorithms and processes
• MAGD 270: Web Development - Advanced HTML & CSS, basic Bootstrap
• MAGD 272: Game Development - Unity game engine

Design

• MAGD 150: Introduction to Media Arts & Game Design - Fundamentals of game design, ethics of game design, video game history, Processing (Java) programming language
• MAGD 271: Interactive Communication - Conveying information through interactive media, MAX programming language
• MAGD 496: Games Practicum with HAN University - Collaboration with an international development team to produce games
• LIBMEDIA 174: Video Games & Learning - Designing educational games [IN PROGRESS]
• COMM 351: Game Studies & Design - Advanced game design, Twine game engine

Visual Art

• MAGD 210: Visual Imaging for Digital Media - Adobe Photoshop, Adobe AfterEffects
• MAGD 220: Drawing for Digital Media - Adobe Illustrator, Adobe AfterEffects

Soft Skills

• COMM 110: Introduction to Public Speaking - Developing and delivering presentations
• HONORS 498.04: Bridging Technologies - Teaching basic technology literacy skills to others
• INTRAUNV 124: Leadership & Service Learning - Project management & team coordination
• SOCIOLOGY 491: Crossing Culture: Travel Study to Ireland & the U.K. - Multicultural competency
• MAGD 487: Portfolio Development - Career preparedness