Hi there

I’m Branden Bean Drake. I solve problems with technology, people, and processes. I have one goal:

to facilitate ethical, accessible experiences

which maximize joy

while minimizing frustration

This applies equally to teammates, colleagues, customers, and anyone else that my work or interactions might impact.

Over the course of my career I've worked on game software, SaaS data pipelines, and internal company portals. I've worn many hats, doing backend engineering, UX design & testing, production support, game design, project management, frontend design, and even a bit of animation. In every role, I've always found ways to improve existing processes and leave them better than I found them. I take pride in giving my best, both to the projects I commit myself to and the communities that I collaborate with.

If any of that interests you, reach out to me on LinkedIn; I'm always excited to forge new connections and consider new opportunities.

Projects

Trade Capture System

Type: Distributed Data Processing System
Role: Clearing Systems Support Engineer

An automated system for ingesting and processing a wide variety of real-time global trade data and delivering data outputs to the appropriate account-holders and regulators.

  • Elicited feature requirements from business users, then designed and coded solutions in Python/SQL
  • Investigated and debugged production incidents, then coded both short- and long-term solutions
  • Programmed in-house Python libraries to standardize common/complex operations and error-handling
  • Mentored new team members on team processes, our technology stack, and problem-solving strategies
  • Became the go-to source for Python advice and assistance both in and outside my team

Internal Web Portal for Fortune 50 Company

Type: Web App
Role: Software Developer

A portal used by employees and their managers for training and daily tasks.

  • Programmed pages and new features based on designer specifications
  • Successfully planned and implemented a project-wide taxonomy change to the live production environment
  • Coded with HTML, CSS, jQuery, C#, and SQL in an ASP.NET Core MVC project

Hug The Line
Type: Game Software
Roles: Software Engineer & UX Researcher

The proof of concept for an inverted tower defense game where the player is tasked with preserving the lives of migrating creatures by strategically positioning helpful wizards.

  • Collaborated with a small interdisciplinary team to iteratively design mechanics
  • Pair programmed all game elements in Java on top of a rudimentary game engine
  • Improved game engine by adding a dynamic visual layering system
  • Programmed a Java API that allowed easy creation of similar games
  • Designed and ran user tests to validate usability of UI on various platforms

Halo 4

Type: Game Software
Role: Multiplayer Game System Designer

The fourth installment of the renowned sci-fi FPS. Released on Xbox 360.

  • Scripted classic multiplayer game mode logic and customization options via proprietary scripting language
  • Organized the hierarchy & phrasing of multiplayer menu options, focusing on intuitiveness & accessibility
  • Facilitated regular user tests and parsed feedback into actionable changes

Guardians of Middle-Earth

Type: Game Software
Role: Technical Game System Designer

A MOBA set in the Lord of the Rings universe. Released on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

  • Proactively ran low-budget internal user testing to verify problems in the equipment system's design before implementation
  • Modified equipment system and ran further user testing to verify the new design, preventing a more costly pivot later
  • Collaborated with UX/UI designers to architect inventory navigation
  • Identified design tool needs and detailed specifications for solutions

Lord of the Rings: War in the North

Type: Game Software
Role: Technical Game System Designer

A multiplayer action-RPG set in the Lord of the Rings universe. Released on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC.

  • Designed and implemented enemy archetypes, gameplay, and artificial intelligence with LUA/XML
  • Redesigned technical game design workflow to use shared templates, significantly increasing pipeline efficiency
  • Scripted systems allowing level designers to control enemy behavior and audio designers to tune SFX
  • Ported models, animations, VFX, and SFX into functional game objects
  • Took on project management & animator responsibilities when team was overbooked in the final stretch

beandrake.com

Type: Website
Role: Programming and User Experience Design

My personal website.

  • Designed layout and organization with an focus on reactive web principles
  • Coded in HTML, CSS, and jQuery