# Nathan Bennett — NLB.DEV > Personal portfolio: Fullstack Web & Game Development. Career history, education, games, and software projects. I'm an experienced developer with a passion for building innovative solutions and solving complex challenges. My journey began as a teenager, creating and selling web games, and has evolved into a career that includes professional QA testing on AAA franchises. As a fullstack web developer, I specialize in seamlessly integrating a wide range of technologies to deliver comprehensive websites and applications. Whether it's enterprise-level systems or bespoke solutions, I'm dedicated to enhancing user experiences through creative collaboration and technical expertise. Dates describe the recorded activity or employment period. Present means ongoing. Display order may be editorial; use the stated dates for chronology. Some historical dates are approximate. Company and game references describe experience, not endorsement. ## Site - [Work](https://nlb.dev/): Interactive portfolio and timeline; item links open individual details. - [Looking for](https://nlb.dev/looking-for): Looking for a long-term games distribution and marketing partner for Dead Traveler, and connections with people building in games. - [About](https://nlb.dev/about): Background and skills. - [Blog](https://nlb.dev/blog): Notes on games, software, and work. - [Full portfolio text](https://nlb.dev/llms-full.txt): All published entry descriptions, dates, skills, and external links without JavaScript. ## Writing - [What’s done is done](https://nlb.dev/blog/whats-done-is-done): Rebuilding my portfolio has been helping me make sense of the work, and the years, in between. ## Career - [Stage.3](https://nlb.dev/?item=stage3): Game publishing; Sep 2026 — Present. A publishing platform and launch system helping ambitious games find their audience and build momentum beyond launch. - [Dead Traveler](https://nlb.dev/?item=dead-traveler): Founder & Director; Apr 2026 — Present. My independent game studio, building original games with strong systems, gameplay, and personality. Released Zombiehood on Steam in April 2026. - [PsiQuantum](https://nlb.dev/?item=psiquantum): Senior Full Stack Engineer; Apr 2025 — May 2026. Part of the software team powering the quest to build a fault-tolerant quantum computer. Worked on Construct, the platform for designing and optimizing quantum algorithms. - [Pilot Flying J](https://nlb.dev/?item=pilot): Senior Full Stack Engineer · Contract; Jun 2024 — Apr 2025. Built a Svelte 5 finance tool, collaborated on ERP strategy, and helped improve development operations and onboarding for a site redesign. - [FableVision](https://nlb.dev/?item=fablevision): Software Developer · Contract; Feb 2024 — Jun 2024. Shipped two educational games focused on financial literacy for students. - [CODE/+/TRUST](https://nlb.dev/?item=codetrust): Software Developer; Nov 2022 — Feb 2024. Delivered cross-platform features with React, React Native, and Node. Worked with clients on product discovery, API design, and improvements to delivery. - [Reflextions LLC](https://nlb.dev/?item=reflextions): Web Game Developer & Product Owner; Feb 2019 — Sep 2022. Built a portfolio of more than 20 browser games, reaching 10 million+ plays across titles. Led development, product, and licensing across original and client IP, working with distributed freelance teams. - [Bethesda Softworks](https://nlb.dev/?item=bethesda): QA Tester; Jun 2017 — Feb 2019. Supported AAA launches through QA across hardware, platforms, and teams. Worked on franchises including Skyrim, Fallout, Dishonored, and Wolfenstein. - [Independent game development](https://nlb.dev/?item=contract-games): Contract Game Developer; Sep 2015 — Jul 2017. Built and sold original IP, designed a suite of mobile web games, and helped launch a title for The New York Times. - [Hilldrup](https://nlb.dev/?item=hilldrup): Operations Specialist · Seasonal; Jun 2015 — Aug 2015. Moved houses. ## Education - [Code Immersives / Digital Film Academy](https://nlb.dev/?item=digital-film): Web Development Immersive with AWS; Aug 2021 — Aug 2022. A 900-hour web development immersive focused on the MERN stack and AWS. - [Praxis](https://nlb.dev/?item=praxis): Career Development; Jan 2017 — Mar 2017. Career development and project management. - [James Madison University](https://nlb.dev/?item=jmu): Computer Science studies; Aug 2014 — May 2016. Studied computer science and mathematics before taking a different path. - [Colonial Forge High School](https://nlb.dev/?item=high-school): Advanced Studies Diploma; Sep 2010 — Jun 2014. The early years. ## Games - [Zombiehood](https://nlb.dev/?item=zombiehood): Commercial game; Apr 2026 — Present. The first commercial release from Dead Traveler. Built, shipped, and out in the world. - [The Last Straw](https://nlb.dev/?item=the-last-straw): Independent game; Jan 2023. The Last Straw is a 3D physics game built in Unity. I worked with some talented friends on this project for Ludum Dare 52. - [Soul Grinder](https://nlb.dev/?item=soul-grinder): Independent game; Feb 2022. Soul Grinder is a horde survival action rogue-like. Survive an onslaught of enemies with necromancy and dark magic at your disposal! Try to survive as long as you can and collect gems to upgrade your power. - [Tower Defense Prototype](https://nlb.dev/?item=tower-defense-prototype): Independent game; Aug 2019. This is a touch based 2D tower defense prototype I built for a client. In it, the player can switch between heroes, who each have 3 unique abilities which affect the battlefield. - [Kitty Cat Poker Slots](https://nlb.dev/?item=kitty-cat-poker-slots): Independent game; 2019. Kitty Kat Poker Slots Casino is a full scale android app I was commissioned to develop. It's a slot machine game based on matching poker hands with a cute cat theme. - [MTA Country](https://nlb.dev/?item=mta-country): Independent game; May 2018. MTA Country is a game about traversing the NYC subway, themed around the cart levels in Donkey Kong Country. I was hired by Everyday Arcade to take a prototype and finish developing the rest of the game. - [Chemistry Hotspot Quiz](https://nlb.dev/?item=chemistry-hotspot-quiz): Independent game; Jun 2017. Chemistry Hotspots was commissioned by a postgraduate student who was exploring video games as an education tool. It quizzes the player on various molecular compounds. - [Mino's Pond](https://nlb.dev/?item=mino-s-pond): Independent game; Apr 2017. Minos' Pond was a joint entry with a friend who did the art and sfx. It was my insane attempt to create a city builder resource management type game mixed with an Earthbound style overworld in 72 hours. - [Fantaknee Football](https://nlb.dev/?item=fantaknee-football): Independent game; 2017. Fantaknee Football is a satirical game about the news cycle. I was hired to develop it for a team commissioned by Super Deluxe. - [Sam](https://nlb.dev/?item=sam): Independent game; Dec 2016. Developed during Ludum Dare 37, Sam tells the story of pixel guy named Sam. It is story based 2D platformer where your decisions matter. - [Monster's Mayhem](https://nlb.dev/?item=monster-s-mayhem): Independent game; Dec 2016. Monster's Mayhem was commissioned by a client who wanted to rebuild their entire flash game in HTML5. - [The Voter Suppression Trail](https://nlb.dev/?item=the-voter-suppression-trail): Independent game; Nov 2016. I was hired by Everyday Arcade to code "The Voter Suppression Trail", which was published in The New York Times as "the first-ever video game for Op-Docs" in a series about the 2016 election. - [Protoshift](https://nlb.dev/?item=protoshift): Independent game; Jan 2016. Protoshift is an addicting, fast paced, twitch based, arcade game filled with challenge, inspired by Super Hexagon. Put your mouse hand to the test while attempting to complete impossible levels and compete on global leader-boards. - [Roadway Repair](https://nlb.dev/?item=roadway-repair): Independent game; 2016. Roadway Repair is a pipes-style puzzle game where the player is tasked with fixing the road so cars can get across. It is part of a mobile web game suite I did in 2016. I think this was the first game I spent money hiring an artist. It features 20 levels. - [Bouncy Balloons](https://nlb.dev/?item=bouncy-balloons): Independent game; 2016. Bouncy Balloons is a carnival themed physics puzzle game. Launch water balloons with your slingshot to knockdown the ducks! It is part of a mobile web game suite I did in 2016. It features 20 levels with increasing mechanics and difficulty. - [Brix Builder](https://nlb.dev/?item=brix-builder): Independent game; 2016. Brix Builder is an arcade inspired stacking game. It is part of a mobile web game suite I did in 2016. It features 3 difficulties with 7 levels of increasing difficulty. - [Rocket Runner](https://nlb.dev/?item=rocket-runner): Independent game; 2016. Rocket Runner is an simple dodging game with unlockable skins and currency. It is part of a mobile web game suite I did in 2016. - [Gridlock Dash](https://nlb.dev/?item=gridlock-dash): Independent game; 2014. Gridlock Dash is a frantic puzzle game where the player must keep cars from colliding. Make your way through 7 levels, and test your skills in 3 endless modes in the struggle to keep the streets safe. I made Gridlock Dash in 2014 to test out iPad development, but I never ended up publishing it to the App Store. - [Rocket Strike!](https://nlb.dev/?item=rocket-strike): Independent game; 2014. Rocket Strike is a survival action platformer. Outlast your opponent in a rocket survival! For 1-4 players, but multiplayer is strongly recommended! - [Red Tie Runner](https://nlb.dev/?item=red-tie-runner): Independent game; Oct 2013. Red Tie Runner is a simplistic, yet challenging, reflex-based, 2D platforming game. Play as a stickman with a red tie to dash and jump your way through obstacles. Features 30 intense levels, including 6 challenge levels, accompanied by spikes, trampolines, ziplines, wingsuits, lava, and more. - [Don't Fall!](https://nlb.dev/?item=don-t-fall): Independent game; 2013. Don't Fall! is a competitive two player rag-doll game. Push and throw the enemy off the platform. Don't fall! There's also a single player survival challenge. - [Jet Attack!](https://nlb.dev/?item=jet-attack): Independent game; 2013. Use yer jets to knock the enemy down! First to 9 wins! Jet Attack is a competitive rag-doll physics game with exploding limbs! ## Web and software projects - [Pexels Search](https://nlb.dev/?item=pexels-search): Software project; Sep 2022 · First commit. A React web page that interfaces with the Pexels API. Supports curated photos, search, pagination, and session storage. - [Construct Snippets](https://nlb.dev/?item=construct-snippets): Software project; Jun 2022 · First commit. Construct Snippets (WIP) is an open source library of useful functions and other code snippets for the HTML5 game engine Construct 3. Built with comprehensive user validation and session security with HttpOnly cookies. Supports creation and viewing of snippets. - [React Ticket Tracker](https://nlb.dev/?item=react-ticket-tracker): Software project; Apr 2022 · First commit. React Ticket Tracker is a fullstack task tracker built with React and state management via Redux. Can be used for bugs, tickets, and project management. Supports posting and updating tasks, timestamps, tasks IDs, descriptions, severity, and status. - [Portfolio](https://nlb.dev/?item=portfolio): Software project; Apr 2022 · First commit. After going through various websites over the years, I wanted a single location to put all my content. This site was built with Svelte and served as a personal capstone project in front-end development. - [Post Comment Backend](https://nlb.dev/?item=post-comment-backend): Software project; Mar 2022 · First commit. A full CRUD backend written in JS using Node, Express, and Mongoose. - [Map Builder](https://nlb.dev/?item=map-builder): Software project; Dec 2021 · First commit. Create a fantasy style map with jQeury drag and drop. - [Jeopardy](https://nlb.dev/?item=jeopardy): Software project; Apr 2021 · First commit. An interactive Jeopardy board built with jQuery. - [Hacker News API](https://nlb.dev/?item=hacker-news-api): Software project; Apr 2021 · First commit. Loads and displays the top 100 stories from the Hacker News API w/ jQuery. - [SoundCloud Mockup](https://nlb.dev/?item=soundcloud-mockup): Software project; Nov 2019 · First commit. A static mockup of the SoundCloud home page using HTML and CSS.