Base Profile Screenshot 2024.10.30 - 16.19.45.91.png

Hello there!

I’m Max, a level designer with a striking passion for narrative experiences. I love to build immersive worlds that tell a story in a way only games can.

My Best Work

The Eclipsed Sanctum

Level Designer

The Eclipsed Sanctum is a single-player level for the original 1996 Quake, with a heavy focus on caution, dread and fear of the unknown. The goal was to challenge the limits of what a Quake level could be, whilst remaining true to the original’s player experience.

  • Genre: First-Person Shooter
    Team Size:     Solo
    Project Timeline:     8 weeks | 2024
    Engine:     TrenchBroom | Ironwail

    • Created a level from concepting to release.

    • Gathered, sketched and painted over reference images and architecture.

    • Experimented, measured and tested player metrics in metric gyms.

    • Blocked out, built and iterated on the layout and gamespaces.

    • Scripted, designed and implemented combat encounters and gameplay beats.

    • Playtested, analysed and iterated based on data from external playtesters.

    • Lit, textured and iterated on the dark aesthetics.

View Project Page

Project S.U.C.C.

Level Designer

In active development, release in June 2026.

Super Ultra Critter Control is a third-person action-adventure game, in which you use your trusty vacuum cleaner to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. Pick up any objects you can find in your adventure to clear the infestation and save the city.

  • Genre: Action-Adventure
    Team Size:     25
    Project Timeline:     8 months | June 2026
    Engine:     Unreal Engine 5

    • Explored and defined core gameplay loop.

    • Created the setting and wrote the narrative of the game.

    • Sketched and presented ideas within the team.

    • Designed and iterated on level mechanics and lay-out.

View Project Page

My Other Projects

Face It Together

Level Designer

Face It Together is a friendslop game in which you infilitrate a haunted mansion. Work together to steal the masks and escape the mansion.

Genre: Friendslop
Team Size: 20 developers
Project Timeline: 48 hours | GGJ 2026
Engine: Unreal Engine 5

  • Designed and implemented level mechanics.

  • Blocked out rooms for the procedural level.

  • Conducted a high level art pass on the rooms.

Gloabl Game Jam Page

Inferno

Producer / Game Designer

Inferno is a third-person movement shooter with a heavy focus on speed, quick response times and mastery. Discover shortcuts and new movement techniques to improve your time and become the Queen of Inferno.

Genre: Third-Person Movement Shooter
Team Size: 18 developers (scaled from 6)
Project Timeline: 16 weeks | 2025
Engine: Unreal Engine 5

  • Scaled and managed a team of 18 developers.

  • Defined and broke down the scope together with lead developers.

  • Aligned the creative vision together with lead developers.

  • Divided the team into smaller interdisciplinary strike teams for efficient development.

  • Supported and facilitated sprint planning, reviews and retrospectives.

  • Ensured quality through QA guidelines and weekly build reviews.

  • Designed, tested and iterated on game feel and feedback systems during concepting.

Itch.io Page

ORTUS

Level Designer

ORTUS is a twin-stick shooter set in the desolate remains of a once-thriving civilisation. Shoot your way to the top as you power up in this arcade-like experience. Can you outpace the storm and emerge victorious in this relentless climb?

Genre: Twin-Stick Shooter
Team Size: 13 developers
Project Timeline: 8 weeks | 2024
Engine: Unreal Engine 5

  • Researched the level design of the reference game Nex Machina.

  • Sketched and implemented gameplay scenarios.

  • Iterated on level lay-out based on playtesting feedback.

Itch.io Page

What It’s Like Working with Me

  • Jelko Luiten - Procedural Artist on Inferno

    Max is super enthusiastic and fun to work with. He keeps everyone together and facilitates teamwork. He addresses the feedback that he receives with a positive outcome.

  • Bojan Petkovksi - Animator on Inferno

    Max has a very enthusiastic presence. He's very passionate and dedicated, which positively encourages the team spirit. I applaud his decision to take the producer role on Inferno. It shows his initiative and adaptability in favour of the team.

  • Kylian Schuilenburg - Gameplay Programmer on Inferno

    Max keeps an open mind and adjusts to others' feedback. He's on top of his tasks, but also asks others for input when needed. We were always thinking together, and he effectively pushed the project forward.

  • Iliya Karadzhinova - Environment Artist on Inferno

    Max is a nice and helpful person. He communicates with all disciplines and keeps the team on track. He’s got an eye for the small things and pays attention to everyone. This reflects in his feedback, which is constructive and personal in a good way.

  • Mara Pop - Concept Artist on Inferno

    From the past year studying with him, I can see that Max has grown a lot. He spends a lot of time with other developers. He sees the good in people and ensures that everyone is at comfort. The vibe, workflow and feedback were all there. No one in our team ever needed to panic, which was mediated by him. He goes out of his way to take feedback from other experts in his field and applies it well. It's clear that he's always willing to improve.

  • Daan Derkx - Procedural Artist on Inferno

    He gives really good feedback, and also nicely communicated feedback from stakeholders with the team.

  • Simeon Gospodinov - Technical Designer on Inferno

    Very motivated and team-oriented. Max doesn't just conduct himself properly but also makes sure the entire team is making steady and healthy progress.