About Me
Hi I am Matthew Tran 
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I’m currently a master’s student at the University of Southern California, pursuing an M.S. in Computer Science with a specialization in game development. My fascination with technology—and how it shapes our daily lives—began early, and I was already tinkering with basic game development while in elementary school. This passion led me to earn a B.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I gained a solid foundation in both software and hardware.
Now, I’m excited to return to my original love of making games and immerse myself in USC’s game development program. I’m passionate about creating interactive experiences that can bring joy and positive impact to people around the world.
When I’m not coding or playing the latest games, you’ll find me SCUBA diving, snowboarding, skiing, or scouting out new restaurants and food spots.
QA Lead/Engineer - USC Games (B.L.U.E.)
2025 — present
As QA Lead for a 20+ member student game project, I directed a team of three, standardizing testing procedures and workflows to ensure consistent quality. I generated detailed QA reports and partnered closely with engineers to resolve bugs impacting user experience and game performance. Additionally, I trained new QA members and coordinated testing schedules using Perforce, Git, and ClickUp, successfully keeping development milestones on track.
Game Development Intern - Boltz Entertainment
2025 — present
During my internship, I developed and launched a custom emote system to enhance player interactions within a multiplayer environment, leveraging Unity’s Remote Procedure Call (RPC) system to deliver a seamless experience. I optimized asset usage and streamlined the build process, successfully reducing the total game size by over 60%. Additionally, I redesigned core character abilities, introducing new strategic layers to gameplay and elevating the overall player experience.
M.S. in Computer Science (Game Development) - University of Southern California
2024 — present
Pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Science with a specialization in game development at the University of Southern California. During my studies, I have contributed to a range of projects—from building and piloting multiplayer spaceships in fast-paced dogfights to creating an augmented reality game where players hunt flies. My focus is on developing innovative gameplay experiences while mastering industry-standard technologies such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and more.
B.S. in Computer Engineering - University of California, Santa Barbara
2019 — 2023
Received a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, with coursework focused on software development and key subjects such as artificial intelligence, algorithms, databases, and computer networks. Collaborated on diverse projects, including an automated drone group, a 3D space dogfighting roguelike, and an action RPG featuring mind control as its core mechanic. Graduated with a strong foundation in both software and hardware systems, and developed a growing passion for game development during the latter part of my studies.