Ashley Thew's Portfolio

All
Java
Javascript
C++
Web
Game

MineScape

Java Server & Website

MYOB DebugSwitch++

Javascript

Poker Auckland Student Hackathon

Javascript & Website

AUT Planner

Java

AUT Planner Web

Javascript & Website

SpigotMC Plugins Developer

Java

Solitaire

Java Game

AUT Game Programming

C++ Game(s)

Hi, my name is Ashley Thew, thank you for checking my portfolio, here is a little more info about me.

A software developer based in Auckland New Zealand, with a Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences at the Auckland University of Technology, one of the top-ranked universities in the country. Double majoring in Software Development and Computer Science, with an interest in Artificial Intelligence and Game Programming.

Self-taught since the age of 14, starting with simple windows batch scripts to automate tasks. I quickly honed my knowledge of Java, PHP, and MySQL, picking up new languages as opportunities arise. I have a great ability to transfer my skills over to new languages, utilising all available resources to adapt my skillset.

Itching to demonstrate my abilities with the right employer to further my career in the software industry.

I have a great passion for, and interest in game and website development through my works. With the desire to help create resources for everyone to learn software development for themselves, pathing the road for future young developers.

Skillset: Java, JavaScript, C++, React, Node, PHP, Python, Bash/Shell, HTML5, SQL, Git, Agile

Placing second, this project was made for the Auckland Student Coding Hackathon hosted by MYOB and ezyVet. Working with a friend, another AUT student, we had 48 hours to design and implement a website where users could play a board game.

After throwing around a few ideas from card games to a 2d platformer using phaser. We ended up deciding we wanted to create a multiplayer game and went with the classic texas hold'em poker. After researching the packages required, we set about creating the website.

For the frontend we used react-bootstrap, connected to the backend via Axios requests for user information and websockets for gameplay, this allowed us to have the state of play updated to each player instantly.

For the backend we used Node.js, Express, and Socket.IO, providing JWT secured routes as well as public routes. Utilizing the npm package 'poker' combined with listeners from Socket.IO, multiple game rooms were joinable and the table information was synchronized each play to all players. Checks were put in place to ensure on both the frontend and backend that invalid commands were not sent via the websockets.

Both the frontend and backend are hosted on the same Heroku app, allowing for a more effecient design and loading times.

In my last Semester at AUT, I took the Game Programming course as one of the electives for my double major.

The course started with the basics of the c++ language, built on top of the knowledge learned from an earlier C paper completed in my first year.

Classes were impacted during the Covid-19 lockdowns for Auckland and continued in the limiting online capacity.

The two main goals of this course were a personal game project and a group/team game project.

Features Include:

Splash Screen.
Controls Screen.
Xbox Controller Support.
Auto-complete board.
Memory Cleanup.
ImGUI Debug Menu.

For my game written in C++, I decided to create a clone of the well-known game; Solitaire.

Having made the game before in Java, I understood the gameplay elements well and also the game design required for the project.

My plan for the project was to include unique game modes, that unfortunately, I did not get time to implement.

Features Include:

Menu Design.
Xbox Controller Support.
File Loaded Levels.
FMOD Sounds.
Memory Cleanup.

Starting with a group of 6 people, we planned to create a 2D puzzle game orientating around 2 characters.

One character would have a grapple gun to swing on and pull objects. And the other would have a portal gun, attempting to teleport around the map to normally inaccessible areas.

The team faced various challenges, from choosing which game engine we wanted to build upon, to communication issues with team members dropping the course or not responding.

Undeterred with these issues, the 4 remaining group team members contributed to each element of the gameplay.

I worked on the character movement system. Having to detect the hitboxes of the world, and the ability to climb up/down ladders. I was additionally assigned to be build master for the project, this included making sure the project compiled correctly and was free of memory leaks.

With an amazing group effort, the team built an amazing demo of our project idea, with many of the core features included.

Software & Web Developer

Ashley Thew

Portfolio