Behind the Scenes of Game Development: An Alumnus Speaks to Future Creators
About Stoyan Stoyanov, ACS Class of 2014
Stoyan is a game designer with a passion for technology, exercise, nutrition, and travel. His main focus is gameplay design and its marriage with compelling narratives. His professional experience includes roles as Writer, Design Lead, and Director on various projects, QA on mobile titles, and Quest Designer on Cyberpunk 2077, as well as providing design consultancy on a variety of AAA projects. His background is in Programming & Physics. He has received many awards for projects ranging from mobile games and hobbyist 2D platformers to 3D action/puzzle games and VR experiences.
Stoyan’s Talk at ACS
On November 22, Stoyan returned to the American College of Sofia to speak to interested ACS students about his career in game design and development. He shared insights and things he wished someone had been there to talk to him about when he was a teenager himself. Through the Door Problem exercise, he illustrated the vast array of career opportunities within the gaming industry, captivating the audience with his humor and disarming self-irony.
Stoyan provided practical advice on portfolio development, including what to highlight and what to avoid, as well as where to find free resources to stay updated on industry trends (https://gdconf.com/). His recommendations extended to social media strategies (bluesky and LinkedIn) and effective project publishing avenues. The students were so engaged that they lingered for an additional half hour, eager to ask questions and seek advice from someone who has successfully walked the path they aspire to follow. Stoyan’s approachable demeanor and willingness to share triumphs and challenges made his talk not just informative but also deeply personal, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
Check out our website or follow us on social media to stay posted about the next planned Alumni Careers guest speakers. And join us on December 18, 2024 for the Editorial and Publishing themed seminar with Rali Chorbadzhiyska, Class of 2015.
Stoyan’s List of Recommended Links
Noah Caldwell-Gervais - YouTube - A very good online critic with a classical education, specializing in history.
Noclip - Video Game Documentaries - YouTube - High-quality documentaries about various games, produced at a high level.
Raycevick - YouTube - Video essays on various topics.
GDC 2025 - YouTube - GDC official channel
Game Maker's Toolkit - YouTube - An educational channel that is good for people with no experience.
People Make Games - YouTube - A documentary about the people behind the projects.
NeverKnowsBest - YouTube - Video essays that cover the history of an entire genre.
GVMERS - YouTube - Video essays on famous game sequences and their disastrous end.
Arch - YouTube - Video essays on shooter games. A good source for tech designers.
Double Fine PsychOdyssey · OUT NOW! · Official Trailer - If you're going to watch just one thing, let it be this. It's a documentary where a team was at a well-known studio for the full development process of a successful game. It covers a few years, showcasing the whole process along with all the problems and difficulties. It's an incredible resource.
