John Ladder Portfolio

ABOUT ME

Hi! I’m João, a systems game designer and programmer from Portugal.

I specialize in designing gameplay systems that focus on player progression, difficulty structuring, and mastery-driven mechanics.

My background in Electrical and Computer Engineering led me to begin my career in AR/VR development before transitioning into game development, where I have spent the last several years building and shipping gameplay systems in Unreal Engine and Unity.

I recently shipped A Tower’s Will, a physics-based climbing platformer released on Steam, where I designed and implemented the core gameplay systems, level progression, and narrative mechanics.

In 2023, I created The Fur in Me, a 2D platformer with color-based mechanics. Most recently, I launched A Tower’s Will, a 3D platformer about climbing a sentient tower.

I enjoy building both the technical and creative sides of games, from gameplay mechanics to polishing the final experience.

GAMES

THE FUR IN ME (2023) – Unity Engine

Independent Developer

A puzzle-platformer with 300 challenges spreading across 30 levels, original gameplay mechanics and visual storytelling.

Design & Programming: Developed all systems and level logic in Unity.
Story & Art Direction: Wrote the full narrative and worked with an artist on the visual scenes (first 3 levels completed in demo).
Audio: Collaborated with a musician to produce sound effects and original music.

Playable demo available.

To view a variety of challenges and archived trailers, click here.

A TOWER’S WILL (2025) – Unreal Engine 5

Independent Developer

A vertical climbing game set in a 1000 meter tower filled with challenges and over 1,000 narrative messages written on its walls. Created entirely with Blueprints.

Design & Programming: Built all gameplay systems and level design.
Visual Direction: Defined the look and collaborated with an artist exclusively on the capsule art.
Audio: Worked with a musician to produce sound effects and a complete original soundtrack.

Full version on Steam. Play the demo.

To view the in-game cutscenes I created, click here.

CONTACTS

Feel free to contact me at joaobernardo.ladeira@gmail.com