About
The goal isn't to live forever, it's to create something that will.
I'm Ben! Since discovering programming at age 11, I've built a diverse technical portfolio spanning game development, AI applications, and robotics over the past 6+ years. As founder of Fifth Edge Studios, I've published multiple Steam games with Boss Breaker releasing in December 2025. I've led the Arlington High Drone Team to championships, created educational content at DroneBlocks, and worked on AI solutions as a Bell Flight intern. Currently majoring in Electrical Engineering at UT Dallas, I combine my technical expertise in GameMaker, Python, and computer vision with my passion for gaming and drone technology to create innovative solutions that make a lasting impact.
Hometown:
Arlington, TexasYears Of Experience:
7+ YearsFavorite Technology:
GameMaker StudioHobbies:
Gaming, Baking, Drones, RoboticsLanguages:
English
Skills
My technical expertise and professional competencies
GameMaker
7+ years of experience with crafting enjoyable and memorable 2D games.
Python
Data analysis, API development with Flask, and computer vision.
Problem Solving
Identifying complex challenges and developing efficient solutions through analytical thinking and creative approaches.
DevOps
CI/CD pipelines, Work Items, and Azure cloud infrastructure.
Test-Driven Development
Writing unit tests, integration tests, and ensuring code quality and coverage.
Git & Version Control
Advanced git workflows, branching strategies, and collaborative development.
Pixel Art
Creating detailed 2D sprite animations and game assets with attention to detail and aesthetic consistency.
Level Design
Crafting engaging, balanced game environments with focus on player progression, challenge pacing, and spatial storytelling.
Unity
Developing 3D applications and games using C# scripting, physics systems, and the Unity editor workflow.
OpenCV - Python
Implementing computer vision solutions for image processing, object detection, and visual tracking systems.
Communication
Effectively conveying complex technical concepts to diverse audiences and facilitating productive team discussions.
C# & .NET
Building applications with the .NET framework, including desktop, web APIs, and Unity game development.
Game Design
Creating engaging gameplay mechanics, balancing systems, and designing compelling player experiences.
Project Management
Planning, executing, and closing projects with attention to scope, resources, and timeline management.
Teamwork
Collaborating effectively in cross-functional teams, supporting peers, and contributing to shared objectives.
Work Experience
My professional journey and career achievements
Worked on Bell's internal corporate ChatGPT-equvilient, BECA.
Key Achievements
- Worked on an internal product that benefits ~40% of all Bell employees by improving their workflows
- The exact implementation details of BECA are covered under my NDA
Skills Utilized
Creating educational content and courses focused on robotics programming, specifically for the Unitree Go2 quadruped robot platform.
Key Achievements
- Developed comprehensive curriculum for Go2 gesture recognition and block coding
- Created technical documentation and video tutorials for advanced robotics concepts
- Contributed to CrazyFlie simulator development, adding drone models and navigation blocks
- Designed project-based learning experiences for students with varying technical backgrounds
- Contributed to the open source community with various projects
Skills Utilized
Developed computer vision applications focusing on assistive technology for visually impaired individuals.
Key Achievements
- Guided a team of 12 to the AVR world championship competition
- Designed a heat signiture recognition system to alert the team when a hot spot was located, fully autonomously
- Assembled and maintained a custom payload drone for use in the AVR competition's various tasks
- Designed a computer-vision based actuator interface for controlling our drone's peripherals
- Taught my peers how to work with our Unitree Go2, using both it's app and the Python SDK
Skills Utilized
Founded an independent game studio focused on creating innovative gaming experiences for PC platforms including Steam and web.
Key Achievements
- Founded as a name to publish any games I made under, has since grown into an established game studio
- Developed and published multiple games on Steam including Pulse Jumper, Slime Corp, and Boss Breaker
- Led and managed multiple creative teams in order to create the best possible game we could
- Created game templates and shared knowledge with the GameMaker community
- Built a following through game jams and community engagement
Skills Utilized
Portfolio
games
Owlchemist
A precision-platformer made in two weeks for the 2024 Pirate Software Game Jam.
Boss Breaker
A twin-stick beat-em-up based around taking down your employer after they try to kill you.
Dynamic Platformer Shooter Template
A base GameMaker project for creating a dynamic platformer with shooting elements
Procedurally Generated Dungeon Template
A base GameMaker project that provides a starting point for creating a top-down game with procedural generation.
artificial intelligence
Dr. Strange Gesture Controller
A Mediapipe-powered system for on/off control of different actuators inspiried by Marvel's Dr. Strange
Ollie
An Ollama-based personal assistant with text and voice interaction modes meant to run completely locally on a Raspberry Pi 5.
Gimbal Control
An opencv-powered system used for controlling a gimbal underneath a drone using hand tracking and gesture recognition.
Apriltag Image Tracker
A system that tracks an Apriltag and then overlays an image onto it, useful for AR applications.
DigitalEyes
A prototype assistive technology for hard-of-seeing people to allow them to 'see' using audio queues and object recognition.
Color Detection + Recognition
Utilizes color masks to point out certain colors in an image or video.
robotics
Robotic Dog Gesture Recognition
Having a robotic dog recognize hand gestures and then respond to whatever gesture it sees.
Robotic Hand AI Integration
Using hand landmark detection to control a robotic prosthetic hand.
Go2 Dashboard
A web-based dashboard for the Unitree Go2 robot dog made using Flask and the Unitree Python SDK.
Go2 Gesture Recognition Course
A course I made with Droneblocks that teaches users how to use gesture recognition with a Unitree Go2.
Go2 App Overview & Block Coding
A course I made with Droneblocks that teaches users the basics of the Unitree Go2 and it's accompanying app.
Droneblocks CrazyFlie Simulator
I worked on adding the CrazyFlie drone model, the classroom environment, and the arc & circle navigation blocks.
Contact
Connect with Me
Location:
Arlington, TexasEmail:
ben@fifthedgestudios.comSocial: