Henry the Hamster Handler


After a few months on Wacky Wings, I was assigned to Henry the Hamster Handler as the first developer back after the project had been paused. The game had previously been developed over the summer, so I was stepping into existing code without the original authors available to consult. It was a challenging adjustment, requiring more time reading and understanding the code than writing new systems at first.

My role focused on polishing and bug fixing while designers concentrated on creating numerous levels. Much of my work involved implementing environmental animations, such as moving machinery and doors, and creating diegetic menus to convey information to the player without relying on a traditional HUD. I also optimised interactions and ensured smooth performance on the Vive headset, which improved the overall player experience.