Tim Austin
About Tim Austin
Tim Austin is a Staff Engineer at Riot Games, specializing in engineering and design for the game Valorant. He has over two decades of experience in the gaming industry, having previously held positions at Irrational Games, Swordfish Studios, and Codemasters.
Work at Riot Games
Tim Austin has been employed at Riot Games as a Staff Engineer since 2014. In this role, he serves as the Technical Lead for Characters on the game Valorant. His responsibilities include overseeing the engineering aspects of character development, focusing on areas such as AI, cameras, and combat systems. Austin's work also involves design elements, particularly in weapon and combat balancing, ensuring a cohesive gameplay experience.
Previous Experience in Game Development
Before joining Riot Games, Tim Austin held several significant positions in the gaming industry. He worked at Irrational Games as a Senior Gameplay Programmer from 2010 to 2014, contributing to various projects over four years. Prior to that, he spent 11 years at Swordfish Studios as a Senior Game Designer from 1997 to 2008, followed by a year at Codemasters in the same role from 2008 to 2009. His diverse experience spans multiple aspects of game design and programming.
Education and Expertise
Tim Austin studied at the University of Birmingham, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Software Engineering from 1990 to 1994. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his work in game development. Austin specializes in both programming and design, which allows him to provide effective feedback and implementation across various disciplines within game development.
Technical Skills and Specializations
Tim Austin possesses extensive experience with Unreal Engine 3 and DirectX, which are critical tools in game development. His technical skills encompass engineering aspects such as AI, cameras, and combat systems. Additionally, he has a strong focus on design elements, particularly in weapon and combat balancing, which are essential for creating engaging gameplay experiences.