As a UI Engineer on Apex Legends, I've played a major part in the development and implementation of a new UI framework, crafted solutions for accessible features, and fixed major and minor bugs in UI code connected to every gameplay system.
UI Framework
A lot of the work I've done revolves around implementing a new UI framework that handles panel layout from a hierarchical approach and uses a component-based system for assembling compound UI elements.
From a code perspective, this meant creating the basic building blocks for UI from scratch with a system that our team could use to make the screens more effectively and that our design team could leverage to develop features faster.
I played a critical role in developing this system, from tooltips, dropdowns, images, and text sizing and localization in the lobby menus of the game...
To handling input from the system/console level up to the HUD and pause menus...
And creating complex grid systems that dynamically lay out store items based on what the designers want to showcase.
Overall, I've had a hand in modifying the UI in Apex from the main menu all the way through to gameplay.
Our gameplay UI hooks nicely into each gameplay system to give the player a better idea of how to play the game.
This includes HUD UI, like player ability callouts and gun information.
And it also includes more diagetic UI like the ammo display on the gun itself and the electric banners displaying the top players on sides of buildings
Accessibility
Accessibility is something I'm truly passionate about. As someone who grew up playing video games regularly and never stopped, it's my responsibility to use the knowledge I have to build an environment that everyone can jump into and enjoy. I have also grown up around others whose encounters with games have pushed them away. Complex controls, language barriers, vision issues, toxic communities, and much more create experiences that are unwelcoming to players. Nothing is worse than picking up a game, especially one you've bought, jumping in, and then finding out the player that the developers had in mind isn't you. And too often that player is white, male, cisgender, English-speaking, can use a controller without issue, and has years of familiarity with games (the list of developer assumptions goes on...).
I've applied this passion to the work I do on Apex. From programming work to playtesting feedback and DEI involvement, part of my mission as a developer is to make the game I work on more accessible.
In terms of my programming work, I've incorporated subtitles into areas of the game like seasonal cinematics, lobby audio, and over UI on death screens.
In terms of my programming work, I've incorporated subtitles into areas of the game like seasonal cinematics, lobby audio, and over UI on death screens.
I've also assisted our Arabic team in implementing right-to-left (RTL) text, Arabic text rendering, language localization (in German, Korean, Arabic, Spanish, etc.), and RTL UI elements like the progress bar above the character in the image on the left.
DEI Council
As part of the Partnerships and Outreach branch of Respawn's DEI Council, I find organizations that we, as Respawn, can partner with to bring up underrepresented voices. These organizations range from grassroots and community-driven to DEI programs funded by larger companies. I also coordinate with the other branches of our DEI Council to aid in setting up online panel discussions, in-person events, and volunteer opportunities.
In addition to my work with Respawn's DEI council, I also represent Respawn as a member, volunteer, organizer, and mentor with organizations like these, including EA's SOMOS (Hispanic and Latinx) and ASPIRE (Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians Represent) ERGs and EA's Indigenous Solidarity group.
