Author Image

Hi! I am Manu

Projects

Aard & Wyzz
Aard & Wyzz
Game Designer 2023 - Present

Local co-op adventure videogame.
Play as two mages trying to regain their power in a humorous fantasy setting.
Made by Curious Imp with a team of 17 people.

Pathogenesis
Pathogenesis
Game Designer, Artist, Programmer 2023 - Present

Pathogenesis is a 2D platform-based puzzle game where you control a vulnerable virus striving to survive in a microscopic world.

Our Home (WIP)
Our Home (WIP)
Developer 2024

This personal project allowed me to explore creating an interactive narrative experience.
Through the game, I sought to convey the complex emotions of grief, offering players an immersive and emotional journey.

DM Vault
DM Vault
Dungeon Master Ongoing

Notes and encounters designed for the TTRPGs I’ve runned as a DM

Matryoshka
Matryoshka
Game Designer, Programmer GMTKJam 2024

Matryoshka! is a charming puzzle game where you navigate the stages of life through the lens of a matryoshka doll.
The theme for the game jam was “Built to scale”, so we choose the ultimate built to scale toy.

FPS Level Design study
FPS Level Design study
Developer 2024

This project focuses on level blocking for a first-person horror game.
I aimed to explore how to create tension and suspense through level design, all while working with limited resources.

Scientific paper - Computer vision, drone automation
Scientific paper - Computer vision, drone automation
Researcher 2018

A research project in which I implemented an autonomous flight drone controller based on computer vision. I also developed the API and created the simulation environment for the controller.

Puzzle design study
Puzzle design study
Puzzle Designer 2024

An analysis of some of the most significant puzzles I’ve designed and implemented. I walk through the process and design choices I made during their development.

Joselito's Dreams
Developer GGJ 2024

Videogame made for the GGJ 2024.
Not very sure what our purpose was here, but we had tons of fun making it.

Manu Zafra

Videogame Designer at Curious Imp

I’m a Game Designer with a background in Software Engineering. I’m passionate about crafting immersive games and designing meaningful player experiences.

My technical expertise, combined with my creative vision, gives me a versatile skill set that allows me to contribute across all aspects of game development.

Skills

Experience

1
Curious Imp

Sept 2024 - Present

Madrid, Spain

The studio is currently working on releasing the game Aard & Wyzz, with its demo available on Steam.

Generalist designer with a special emphasis on Technical Design, Camera-Control-Character, and Level Design. I hold the position of Lead Designer, where I coordinate the design team and communicate with other departments.

Lead Designer

Sept 2024 - Present

Responsibilities:
  • Design and prototype videogame mechanics and features
  • Project documentation: GDD, TDD and LDD. Definition of briefings for other departments.
  • Work with production team to ensure correct defintion of roadmap from a design standpoint.
  • Playtesting protocol definition and analysis.
  • Design team lead and coordination with other departments.

Expleo

Ene 2018 - Jul 2023

Madrid, Spain - Berlin, Germany

Expleo is a global engineering, technology and consulting service provider. I worked as a software engineer for the design and development of critical software for commercial and industrial railway systems.

My tasks included implementing systems in C++, Java, and Python, requirements analysis, project documentation, communication with other departments, and defining the testing protocol.
I worked on three projects, contributing at different stages of the project life cycles, and collaborating with teams from different countries.

Software Engineer - RBC Developer

Apr 2021 - Jul 2023

Responsibilities:
  • Requirement analysis and feature implementation in C++.
  • Project technical documentation including UML and security reports.
  • SIL 2 (Safety Integrity Level) compliance
Software Engineer - Tools

Apr 2021 - May 2020

Responsibilities:
  • Tool development in Python for test automation of SIL 2 Railway Applications
  • Communication betweem several departments for software requirement analysis
  • Upgrade and maintenance of tools for integration with new features
Software Engineer - Control Centers

Ene 2018 - Jun 2020

Responsibilities:
  • Requirement analysis and definition
  • Full-stack development in Java and Python
  • Test protocol definition and compliance
  • Project documentation including UML, technical documentation, user manual and security reports
  • SIL 3 (Safety Integrity Level) compliance
2

3

Madrid, Spain

JdeRobot is an open toolkit for developing Robotics applications made by the URJC’s Robotics Group’.

I worked on JdeRobot as a collaborator while I developed my thesis, creating new features while maintaining and upgrading different aspects of the project.

Collaborator

2015 - 2017

Education

Universidad Complutense de Madrid
2024
Masters Degree in Videogame Design
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
2017
Telecomunications Engineering Degree
Computer Science Degree

Publications

Aard & Wyzz
Steam 15 Jul 2024

Aard and Wyzz: The rise of minions is a local cooperative action-adventure video game where two players will take on the role of the boss Ardwiz, a tyrant wizard recently divided in two after the unexpected rebellion of his minions, with a lot of extra hours in his body. These two mages will have to work together, using their magical abilities and strength, as well as merging at certain times to enhance their skills and defeat the senior staff of the office.

This paper addresses the design and implementation of a path following controlling system for a drone which relies on 3D localization by visual markers. It has been designed only for indoor flights. Special attention is paid to accuracy of the position estimation algorithm, robustness of the path following controller and real time operation. The path following system is composed of two components, one responsible of the image analysis and 3D pose estimation and another responsible of the drone navigation. It has been experimentally validated both in Gazebo simulator and in a real drone.

Featured Projects