Experience

• Founder & Game Director at Rare Castle

  Cairo, EG

  December 2018 - Present

  Overview
  
  Founded Rare Castle to develop high-fidelity, story-driven games using Unreal Engine. Lead vision, production, and publishing across the studio’s original IP.

  Once supported by 6 remote volunteers; currently developing the vertical slice with a smaller core team and external collaborators.

  Core Responsibilities
  
  • Creative Direction: Story, design, real-time cinematics, visual identity
  
  • Production Leadership: Task planning, documentation, QA reviewing
  
  • Team & Collaboration: onboarding remote collaborators, task delegation
  
  • Business Development: Funding applications, partnerships, operations
  
  • Platform Relations: PlayStation Partner - console publishing workflow + communication
  
  • Brand + Community: Website, dev updates, community engagement

  Key Achievements
  
  • Secured PlayStation Partner program approval
  
  • Delivered first cinematic teaser & vertical slice environments
  
  • Created complete game documentation ecosystem:
  
  ◦ Vision, design philosophy, core mechanics
  
  ◦ Narrative, worldbuilding, characters
  
  ◦ Pitch deck and vertical slice production strategy
  
  • Designed signature mechanic: Ethereal soul-possession gameplay system prototype
  
  • Established Rare Castle brand identity and multi-platform presence
  
  • Grew remote team from solo to 6 collaborators

• PlayStation Partner at Sony Interactive Entertainment

  San Mateo, California, US

  March 2025 - Present

  Recognized developer in the PlayStation ecosystem, building a vertical slice for an original cinematic game IP aimed at the PlayStation Hero Project. Working toward publishing on current PlayStation platforms with a focus on emotional storytelling, atmosphere, and innovative gameplay in Unreal Engine.

  Highlights
  
  • Accepted into PlayStation Partner Program (console publishing access)
  
  • Preparing Hero Project submission targeting Q1 2026
  
  • Developing proprietary IP with strong cinematic and narrative direction
  
  • Managing compliance, platform standards, and pitch materials

• Lead Unreal Engine Artist at Animatics Design Solution

  Cairo, EG

  May 2021 - August 2022

  Led Unreal Engine development for a national-scale interactive platform project. Built real-time visualizations, optimized technical performance, and collaborated closely with designers and engineers to deliver smooth, high-fidelity user experiences.

  Highlights
  
  • Key contributor to the Unreal Engine team behind a large-scale interactive map platform
  
  • Developed and optimized shaders, lighting, and performance for web-connected environments
  
  • Created polished real-time visuals and interactive user experiences for public-facing media
  
  • Helped establish technical workflows and internal standards for Unreal production

• Lead Technical Artist at 5dVR

  Cairo, EG

  May 2020 - April 2021

  Delivered high-fidelity real-time VR experiences using Unreal Engine for product promotion and architectural visualization. Worked across environment creation, look development, and real-time cinematic presentation for immersive interactive media.

  Highlights
  
  • Produced VR environments for interior architectural experiences
  
  • Developed interactive VR demos and mini-games to promote brands & products
  
  • Built 3D environments and lighting with optimized assets and materials
  
  • Created real-time cinematics and visual polish for marketing content
  
  • Supported cross-functional team workflows and Unreal Engine pipelines

• Cinematic Artist - Unreal Engine at Freelance

  cairo, EG

  September 2019 - May 2020

  Delivered real-time cinematics and visual storytelling for indie and commercial projects using Unreal Engine. Crafted high-quality shots, environments, and camera work to elevate promotional and product experiences.

  Highlights
  
  • Produced story-driven Unreal Engine sequences for marketing campaigns and media
  
  • Designed atmospheric environments with modular assets, lighting, and VFX
  
  • Collaborated with small teams, providing visual direction and engine integration
  
  • Created optimized 3D assets for props and environments when needed

• 3D Game Artist (Cinematics & Environments) at AN Games Studio

  Cairo, EG

  February 2015 - September 2018

  Focused on real-time cinematics and worldbuilding for mobile and PC projects.
  
  Owned end-to-end 3D asset workflows and visual storytelling in Unreal Engine.

  Highlights
  
  • Led 3D game asset production pipeline
  
  (modeling → UVs → textures → engine-ready optimization)
  
  • Built interactive environments and levels
  
  (landscapes, set dressing, lighting, shaders, VFX)
  
  • Produced promotional trailers, teasers, and cinematic shots
  
  • Contributed to faster iteration pipelines with modular workflows