ABOUT ME

Hi, I’m Dean Toledano, a passionate game designer with over three years of experience creating immersive worlds, experiences, and compelling gameplay mechanics. Currently, I’m glad to be working on a solo indie project called ‘Starset’, where I focus on developing an innovative immersive sim style game that harkens back to the first person computer games of the late 90s’ and early 2000s’.

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I hold a diploma in Game Art and Design from the Art Institute of Vancouver and have had the pleasure of working on various projects ranging from student indie titles to large scale VR platform experiences. My expertise lies in crafting intricate level designs, and ensuring seamless and immersive player experiences.

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My design philosophy revolves around the idea that games can be living, breathing worlds where players aren’t just following a pre-set path but are actively shaping their adventure through creative moment to moment decisions they make. In aggregate, these small moments of choice compound into a unique experience that is special for each player, one they can be proud of - a personal journey that reflects their creativity and ingenuity. Each player's story becomes a testament to their unique approach, making the experience truly their own.

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On a broader scale, I’m inspired by the storytelling in films like Blade Runner and Tenet, where layers of narrative complexity allow viewers (or players, in our case) to interpret and interact with the story in different ways. These influences push me to create games that are not just played but experienced, where the player is the true protagonist of their journey.

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When I’m not designing games, you’ll find me exploring space in games that allow it, experimenting with game mechanics in tabletop RPGs, or sketching out ideas for my next big project.

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Let’s create something amazing together. Feel free to reach out to me at dean.toledano@gmail.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.