Michael Vermeulen
About Michael Vermeulen
Michael Vermeulen is a Senior Designer specializing in Combat at Vela Games, with a diverse background in game design and development across various companies and roles. He has held significant positions at organizations such as A44, Ubisoft Blue Byte GmbH, and the New Zealand Game Developer Association.
Current Role at Vela Games
Michael Vermeulen serves as a Senior Designer - Combat at Vela Games, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he focuses on combat design, contributing to the development of engaging gameplay mechanics and systems. His experience in game design enhances the team's ability to create immersive gaming experiences.
Previous Experience in Game Design
Before joining Vela Games, Michael Vermeulen held various positions in the game development industry. He worked at A44 as Design Director from 2018 to 2021, where he led design initiatives. He also served as Lead Game Designer at A44 in 2017 and was a Game Design Contractor for four months in the same year. His tenure at Ubisoft Blue Byte GmbH included roles as Game Designer and Quality Assurance Tester from 2012 to 2015.
Leadership Roles in Game Development
Michael has held leadership positions within the New Zealand Game Developer Association. He served as Chairperson from 2017 to 2018 and as Executive Coordinator for three months in 2017. These roles involved overseeing initiatives to support and promote the local game development community.
Educational Background in Game Design
Michael Vermeulen studied Game and Interactive Media Design at Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg. He pursued this degree from 2009 to 2012, completing three years of study. Although he did not complete the degree, his education provided a foundation for his career in game design.
Consulting and Teaching Experience
In addition to his design roles, Michael founded Ludos Consulting, where he worked as a Game Design Consultant from 2016 to 2017. He also contributed to the education sector as an Associate Lecturer at Media Design School in Auckland from 2015 to 2016, sharing his expertise with aspiring game designers.