Freelance Game Developer, A Webbing Journey
JUL 2025 — PRESENT
Fire Totem Games
- Working a few hours per week on the game using Unity and C#.
- Implementing gameplay and utility functionalities.
- Helping with debugging and documenting code.
About Me
Hi! I am Shivi Vats 
,
,an Extended Reality (XR) researcher and software developer based in Klagenfurt, Austria. I'm looking to apply my skills and experience to the industry as a software or game developer.
For over 4 years, I've been a researcher at the University of Klagenfurt, working on various AR and VR-related projects using Unity. My current research focuses on point cloud streaming, for which I have developed XR apps with Unity, ported Unity VR apps to AR, trained ML models, and conducted subjective testing with a platform I developed myself. I'm currently working on integrating state-of-the-art point cloud streaming solutions using live low latency DASH and WebRTC. I have also been in-charge of various administrative tasks such as contributing to project deliverables and organising and running regular internal meetings.
With my numerous game jam experiences and personal projects, I've had the opportunity to design and deliver single- and multi-player experiences across various genres, using a range of engines including Unity and Unreal Engine. These hands-on experiences have given me a strong foundation in game development, from solo projects to team collaborations. Furthermore, through my Masters in Game Studies and Engineering, I've learnt to view games from not just a technical, but also through various critical design perspectives.
I hold a Red-White-Red Card Plus that allows me unlimited labour market access in Austria without requiring a work permit.
In addition to being fluent in English and Hindi, I have intermediate-level German skills (B2).
Please download my CV as a PDF (academia, software engineering, or game development oriented), or continue reading this page for more information.
You can reach me at shivivats7@gmail.com.
General Info
Languages
- Hindi: C2 (Native)
- English: C1 (Fluent)
- German: B2 (Intermediate)
Tech Stack
- Unity, C#
- Unreal Engine, C++, BP
- Android, Java
- Python, NumPy, Flask
- MRTK2, ARCore
Work Experience
Project Assistant, SPIRIT Project
OCT 2022 — PRESENT
Department of Information Technology, University of Klagenfurt, Austria
Development
- Developed a modular platform for subjective quality testing of point clouds platform for the Microsoft HoloLens 2 using Unity and C#.
- Implemented dynamic resource management, HoloLens 2 shaders, and maintained a modular design to ensure ease-of-use by third-parties.
- Implemented a custom solution for eye-tracking calibration and data collection.
- Implemented a custom solution in C# and MATLAB to generate visual saliency heatmaps from collected eye-tracking data.
- Ported a Unity collaborative telepresence app from VR to AR for the Meta Quest 3.
- Trained objective QoE models for point clouds using Python.
- Integrating systems for point cloud streaming using LLL-DASH with WebRTC-based systems from project partners.
Communication and Organisation
- Organised and led regular internal meetings for over 2 years.
- Represented the University in meetings with European project partners.
- Collaborated with partners on five publications (and more ongoing work).
- Presented/demonstrated my work at four academic conferences and three public events, along with other internal demonstrations.
- Mentored an intern for 6 weeks, providing guidance and reviewing progress.
- Regularly contributed to project reports and deliverables.
- Published 5 papers on my work
Lecturer, Masters Game Studies and Engineering
OCT 2024 — PRESENT
Department of Information Technology, University of Klagenfurt, Austria
- Developed and taught a new course titled “Self-Guided Game Studies and Engineering” for the Masters Game Studies and Engineering curriculum.
- Mentored 17 students and guided them along their self-study journey through various topics related to game development.
- Will be teaching the courses “Non-Entertainment Games” and “Introduction to Computer Graphics” for the aforementioned curriculum from Oct 2025.
- Held a guest lecture for the “Representation and Configuration in Games: Perspectives” course on “Glitches: A Programmer's Perspective”.
Project Assistant, 5G Playground “Virtual Realities” Use Case
OCT 2020 — OCT 2022
Department of Information Technology, University of Klagenfurt, Austria
- Developed a Python web application using Flask, featuring a ported viewport prediction algorithm for on-demand 360° VR videos.
- Implemented caching of predicted viewports using NGINX caching rules and Python requests, reducing server response time by up to 77%.
- Reduced motion-to-glass latency for on-demand streaming by up to 62% through significant modification of an existing Android DASH 360° video client.
- Collaborated with project partners throughout Austria and presented my work at project meetings and dissemination events.
- Wrote my master thesis and published one paper on this work.
Game Lab Tutor, Klagenfurt Coding Game Lab
OCT 2020 — JAN 2021
University of Klagenfurt, Austria
- Hosted bi-weekly Twitch streams for the Klagenfurt Coding Game Lab, teaching programming and game development concepts to Masters students.
- Developed a basic 2D platformer in Unity and C#, demonstrating core game development principles including physics, tilemaps, animations, and audio.
Education
Student, M.Sc. Game Studies and Engineering
OCT 2018 — APR 2022
University of Klagenfurt, Austria
- Final Grade: 1.5 out of 4
- Multi-disciplinary program focusing on both critically analysing and developing games
- Awarded full fee rebate for 4 semesters (maximum allowed) due to excellent grades
- Notable courses:
- Gender Studies in Video Games
- Virtual Ethics
- Affect in Video Games
- Augmented Reality in Video Games
- Knowledge Representation and Reasoning in Games
Student, B.Tech. Computer Science and Engineering
AUG 2014 — MAY 2018
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Una, India
- Final Grade: 7.5 out of 10
- Bachelors program focusing on both the hardware and software aspect of computers
- Notable courses:
- Data Structures
- Object-Oriented Programming
- Computer Networking
- Operating Systems
- Introduction to AI