Experience

Neighborhoods (TBA)

Neighborhoods cover art

Role: C++ Gameplay Engineer Intern at E-Line Media.

Contributions: Designing pedestrian behavior using ECS and an interior parallax mapping system for building windows.

Skills: C++, Unreal Engine 5.

Scare Crow (2025)

Scare Crow cover art

Role: Graphics Engineer at Puckish Games.

Contributions: Developed shaders and render pipelines for performant visuals. Worked with Art and Engineering leads.

Skills: C++, Unity, Shaders.

Projects

3D Qbert C++ Game Engine

3D Qbert C++ Game Engine preview

Custom C++ game engine built on SDL3 GPU, showcased with a 3D remake of Qbert.

GitHub

Skills: C++, Engine Development, SDL3, Shaders.

C++ Ray Tracer

C++ Ray Tracer preview

A CPU ray tracer with Blinn-Phong shading, soft shadows, and anti-aliasing.

GitHub

Skills: C++, OpenGL, Shaders, Rendering.

About

William Zhao on the Pohono Trail in Yosemite National Park

I’m a 21 year old graphics programmer and C++ software engineer.

I’m passionate about the intersection between art and computing.

Some topics I’ve worked on are Procedural Animation, Game Engine Development, Real-Time Fluid Simulation, and VR interaction.

I got my B.S in Computer Science at USC in 2026. I will get my M.S in Computer Science at USC in 2027.

Some awards that I or my projects have received are a 2024 Yugo BAFTA Longlist, PlayStation Career Paths Scholarship, and 2024 Milan Indie Awards - Best VR.

During my free time, I enjoy hiking, cooking, and watching movies. If you ever bump into me, tell me about your favorite movie!

The picture on the left was taken on the Pohono Trail in Yosemite National Park.