Mahdi Ikken

Hey, I'm Ikken šŸ‘‹

I’m a gameplay programmer obsessed with systems, AI, and game feel. I build immersive gameplay mechanics with Unreal Engine and blend technical power with artistic creativity.


How it all started šŸŽ®

My journey started as a kid playing Spyro and Crash Bandicoot on the PS1. But everything changed when I played Kingdom Hearts — the art style hit home because of my artistic background.

In high school, I taught myself to code and entered two Imagine Cup game dev competitions. During engineering school, while others were building mobile apps, I was building game systems.

After graduation, I chose to go full throttle into gameplay programming — not a traditional dev job. I now design scalable, maintainable gameplay systems while still tapping into my artistic roots through character concepting and worldbuilding.


šŸŽ“ Education

Esprit, Engineering School, Tunisia

Computer Science Engineering – Specialized in Software Engineering

🧠 Tech I used

  • Unreal Engine
  • C++
  • Blueprints
  • Git, Perforce
  • AWS GameLift, Playfab
  • Blueprints

šŸŽØ Creative Passions

  • Inventing new game mechanics
  • Drawing characters and stories
  • Creating enemy patterns and AI behaviors
  • Worldbuilding and lore design