The Fifth Corner - Portfolio & Devlog

Esteban Gaete Flores — Senior Unity Game Developer

Gameplay & Tools Engineer with 10+ years creating fast, clean systems, responsive gameplay, and tools that boost team efficiency.

Published Games

The Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path

Friendly Llama - Aug 2024
2D Open World Puzzle Adventure

A serene open-world puzzle adventure where you explore a vibrant astral realm and solve challenges inspired by Eastern philosophy.

Improved Switch/PC performance by 50%+ via profiling and optimization. Built tools that auto-ported 100% of Construct 3 content into Unity, reducing setup time by ~80%. Implemented streaming for seamless world traversal.

NBA Clash

NBA Clash

Globant -Nov 2022
F2P Deck Builder Online Multiplayer

A fast-paced, real-time 3v3 mobile basketball game where you build a squad of NBA stars, swipe and tap to score, and aim to be the first to 11 points.

Integrated SDKs and analytics to cut build time from 7 days to 2. Debugged multiplayer systems to improve match stability and sync. Coordinated cross-team workflows between Chile and US engineering groups.

Linked Mask

Linked Mask

Spoonman Games - Sep 2022
2D Action-Adventure Platformer

A hand-crafted 2D action-adventure where you battle enemies, explore mystical landscapes, and collect powerful masks to reach the final challenge.

Led full development from concept to release. Built core gameplay, combat, and platforming systems in Unity. Created custom editor tools and a reusable framework, and coordinated a 6–12 person team across disciplines.

What Lies in the Multiverse

What Lies in the Multiverse

IguanaBee - Mar 2022
2D Puzzle-Platformer

A dimension-shifting puzzle-platformer mixing comedy and chaos as you hop between parallel worlds to solve challenges and unravel a cosmic mystery.

Ported the full game from GameMaker 1 to GameMaker 2, upgrading core systems for stability, larger levels, and multi-platform support. Enhanced scripting and cinematic tools, cutting implementation time by ~50%.

Garden Joy

Garden Joy

Burlingames Studios - Jan 2022
F2P Garden Design Simulation Game

A relaxing garden-design mobile game where you craft layouts, decorate outdoor spaces, and grow your dream virtual garden.

Delivered 25+ live updates for a 1M+ install mobile title. Integrated new content, backend data, and UI features while maintaining strong performance. Supported a 20+ person team and a 4.8/5 App Store rating.

Communities

GameDev Planet

GameDev Planet

Since Mar 2015

Non-profit organization and the largest Chilean game developer community.

Organized over 80 monthly community events featuring 200+ speakers and 250+ game demos, consistently drawing around 150 attendees per session. Helped strengthen the local ecosystem by facilitating networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing between developers, studios, students, and industry professionals.

Smaller Projects

Loop Boxes

Loop Boxes

Aug 2025
2D Sokoban Puzzle

Three looping stages. Your past actions stay forever, so plan carefully!

Solo developed during GMTK 2025 using Unity 6. I built all core systems, level design, SFX, and music, and adapted free art assets to fit the game. Focused on rapid prototyping, puzzle iteration, and polish under a tight deadline.

Amor a Primera Vista

Amor a Primera Vista

Jan 2024
Visual Novel Dating Narrative

You said yes to all on a dating app. Now you are dating an actual Angel!

Developed for Global Game Jam 2024 with a small team. I led all Unity implementation, defining scene architecture, dialogue flow, and system scripting. Ensured smooth narrative delivery, efficient asset integration, and polished UI under tight deadlines.

Mariana Strange

Mariana Strange

Aug 2019
Mystery Exploration

Your brother is missing. Search for him in the dark depths of the ocean.

Created for Game Jam +- Santiago, where I served as Lead Programmer. I defined the project’s technical architecture, implemented core systems, and ensured smooth integration of gameplay, narrative, and art under a rapid production cycle.

O B S S E S I V E

O B S S E S I V E

Aug 2019
2D Adventure Puzzle

You need to send an important message to Motherboard, be careful.

I contributed original music to the project, composing and producing the game’s second track to support its atmosphere and narrative tone.

FOR THEM

FOR THEM

Jan 2019
Survival Adventure

Feed and protect your cubs from forest dangers. They depend on you!

As Lead Programmer for FOR THEM (Global Game Jam 2019), I architected the core survival/adventure systems, managed asset integration, and implemented gameplay logic. I ensured stability, performance, and a cohesive experience during the tight jam schedule.

Byted Noise

Byted Noise

Jan 2018
Arcade Open-World

A zombie apocalypse! Use your radio to find survivors in the streets.

Built as Lead Programmer during Global Game Jam 2018. I defined the project architecture, coded survival and open-world systems, integrated user interactions and audio/visual assets, and delivered a stable arcade-style zombie-apocalypse prototype.

Touchdown Champ

Touchdown Champ

Jun 2017
Arcade Autorunner

Run against the competigin teams that want to stop you. Reach as far as you can!

I worked on core data systems and gameplay architecture, implementing scalable structures for progression, state handling, and content integration to support fast-paced autorunner gameplay.

Sketch Rally

Sketch Rally

Jun 2017
Arcade Autorunner

Ride non stop in a sketchy world! Pick up gas and avoid obstacle to go as far as you can!

I contributed to UI design and implemented custom tools to streamline content creation and workflow. Supported gameplay and art teams by improving usability and reducing iteration time across the autorunner’s production cycle.

Caiam Piter (CPMK)

Caiam Piter (CPMK)

May 2017
Roguelike 2D Pixel Art Top-Down

Your mother fungus sends you to explore the world and find virgin lands.

As Director, Lead Programmer, and Designer of Caiam Piter and the Mushroom Kingdom, I oversaw full development for PC and Switch, defined core systems and design vision, and drove the project to recognition (top-100 IndieDB 2018, Indie Showcase finalist).

Empathy

Empathy

Jan 2017
First-Person Puzzle

People in the hospital need a hand to find happiness. Help them through.

Created during Global Game Jam 2017. As Lead Programmer, I defined the core systems, implemented first-person puzzle mechanics, and coordinated asset and narrative integration to deliver a cohesive and polished prototype under tight constraints.

Grids Pro

Grids Pro

Jul 2016
Tool Utilities Grids

Provides 1D–3D grids, shapes, A* pathfinding, range queries, and editor-configurable layouts.

Unity framework for building and managing complex multi-shape grids. I led the full migration to newer Unity versions, refactored core systems for stability, and introduced additional features that streamlined editor workflows and expanded the tool’s capabilities.

Abstract Strategy

Abstract Strategy

Jun 2016
Tool Game Toolkit AI

Framework for creating grid-based strategy games with built-in behavior-tree AI.

Unity framework for building grid-based board games with discrete movement. I led the upgrade to newer Unity versions, refactored core systems, and added features that improved AI behavior design, tooling capabilities, and overall developer workflow.

Gamelogic Extensions

Gamelogic Extensions

May 2016
Tool Utilities Extension

Extensions that enhance Unity with utilities, data structures, and editor tools.

Advanced extension toolkit that expands Unity and C# capabilities with new utilities, data structures, and editor improvements. I handled the upgrade to newer Unity ersions, enhanced core systems, and introduced quality-of-life features that streamlined developer workflows.

New Flame

New Flame

Feb 2016
Platformer Adventure

You broke the ritual. Bring the flame back to the hill and end the curse!

Created during Global Game Jam 2016. As Lead Programmer and Game Designer, I defined the core platforming systems, built interaction and traversal mechanics, and guided overall gameplay flow while coordinating asset integration under tight constraints.

Descend Into Heaven

Descend Into Heaven

Sep 2015
Platformer Action-Adventure

Descend to recover what was taken from you. Do not let them stop you!

As Project Manager and Lead Programmer, I directed development, defined the technical architecture, and implemented core platforming and combat systems. I coordinated design, art, and code workflows to deliver a cohesive action-adventure experience.

Zelda Remade

Zelda Remade

Jul 2011
Exploration Action-Adventure

Explore a classic adventure with a new look in this exploration-only demo.

A personal fan remake built with BennuGD, where I implemented core exploration systems, map logic, and engine adaptations to recreate the feel of classic Zelda with SNES-style visuals. Focused on clean architecture and faithful gameplay flow.

Bomber-Chan

Bomber-Chan

May 2011
Arcade Retro

Classic explosive fun! A BennuGD tech demo showing expanded capabilities.

A BennuGD tech-demo where I recreated Super Bomberman 5 Gold mechanics, implementing grid-based logic, bomb and multiplayer, expanded controller support, and custom tournament features to push the engine’s capabilities.

Public Speaking & Interviews

Talk on the story and evolution of GameDev Planet, covering its projects, growth, and community-building efforts. Presented at "Encuentro B2B VG Chile 2025".

Webinar on different business models in the games industry and how to match them to your company and projects. Delivered for "CFT San Augistin".

Webinar sharing my experience at Spoonman Games developing a title with the backing of an international publisher, including processes, challenges, and lessons learned. Hosted by "VideoGame Atacama Planeas".

Podcast interview on the origins, funding, and day-to-day work at Spoonman Games, including stories from development and studio life. Recorded for "Kaipi Checkpoint".

By: Margarita Pino, Esteban Gaete Flores

Talk on using Scriptable Objects to define rules and biases for procedural generation of items and enemies, with practical examples in Unity. Presented at "Unity Developer Day Chile 2017".

Interview with Walter Veneros about what Spoonman Games does, its projects, and future plans for the studio. Recorded for "GameDev Cafe".

By: Walter Veneros, Victor Gaete, Esteban Gaete Flores

Publications

We introduce a system for evaluating how people interact with digital information across various interfaces. Our studies show that while advanced technologies like VR and AR are attractive, they’re not always the most effective or efficient for users.

Authors: R. González-Ibáñez, J. Köhler, E. Gaete-Flores, F. Estay-Cabello, A. Pollmann-Stocker and J. Catalán-Álvarez

Undergraduate Thesis. We present a virtual reality environment designed to evaluate emerging interaction technologies and study how users engage with digital information. A pilot study comparing multiple VR-based interfaces showed improvements in precision, immersion, and overall user experience.

Authors: E. Gaete-Flores, R. González-Ibáñez

What’s Next?

Thank you for reading all the way to the end. If you’re interested in my work and would like to hire me, explore a collaboration, discuss consulting, or just nerd out about Unity and game dev, feel free to reach out.