Benjamin Cooley
About Benjamin Cooley
Benjamin Cooley is a Principal Engineer at Riot Games with over 20 years of experience in software development, particularly in game engine architecture and optimization. He has held various engineering roles at notable companies including Zynga, Telltale Games, and LucasArts, and holds patents in advanced streaming technologies.
Work at Riot Games
Benjamin Cooley has been employed at Riot Games as a Principal Engineer since 2018. In this role, he has taken on significant responsibilities, including serving as the Tech Lead for Teamfight Tactics Mobile. He oversees the technical direction and implementation of the mobile version of the game, ensuring its successful development and performance. Additionally, he leads the League of Legends Sustainability Team, focusing on the long-term technical health and sustainability of the game.
Previous Experience in the Gaming Industry
Before joining Riot Games, Benjamin Cooley held several key positions in the gaming industry. He worked as the Chief Technology Officer and Distinguished Engineer at Zynga from 2011 to 2015. He also served as the Director of Engineering at Telltale Games for a brief period in 2018. His earlier roles include Senior Tools Architect at LucasArts and Senior Engineer at Booyah, Inc. These positions contributed to his extensive knowledge and experience in game development.
Education and Expertise
Benjamin Cooley studied Computer Science at Arizona State University, where he achieved his degree in 1989. He also attended Brigham Young University for a year, studying Computer Science from 1987 to 1988. With over 20 years of experience in C/C++ programming, he has developed deep technical expertise in game engine architecture and optimization. His background includes extensive experience in rendering, graphics, and backend full-stack development.
Patents and Technical Contributions
Cooley holds patents in the field of 3D client-side streaming, reflecting his expertise in advanced streaming technologies. This innovation showcases his ability to contribute to the development of complex gaming solutions. His technical contributions have been instrumental in enhancing gaming experiences and optimizing performance across various platforms.
Career Timeline
Benjamin Cooley's career spans over two decades, beginning as an Embedded Software Engineer at Digital Stream Technology, Inc. in Seoul, South Korea, from 2003 to 2005. He then transitioned to roles in the San Francisco Bay Area, including positions at LucasArts, Booyah, Inc., Zynga, and Telltale Games. His experience culminated in his current role at Riot Games, where he has been since 2018.