ROBERT TROUGHTON • GAME DEVELOPER •
Robert Troughton

Hi, I'm Robert Troughton

Game Development Leader & Technology Consultant with 30+ years of experience shipping AAA titles and building high-performance teams.

📍Based in Thailand

Get In Touch View Projects
class GameDeveloper {
  public:
    bool ship_quality_games() {
      return true; // always
    }
}

Experience

2021-Present
Managing Director
Dino Sloth

Founded the studio to look at consulting and outsource services for the video game industry.

2015-2021
Managing Director / Studio Head
Coconut Lizard

Founded and grew industry-leading Unreal Engine outsource studio. Acquired by Keywords Studios. Worked with AAA clients including Microsoft (Sea of Thieves), Funcom (Conan Exiles) and Boss Key (Lawbreakers).

2014-2015
UK General Manager
Epic Games

Led Epic's UK operations after acquisition of Pitbull Studio.

2010-2014
Managing Director
Pitbull Studio

Founded as an Unreal Engine focused outsource development studio. Grew to nearly 50 developers. Acquired by Epic Games in 2014 to become the roots of Epic's UK operations.

2009-2010
Technology Specialist Programmer
CCP Newcastle

Worked on Dust 514 and focused on integrating Geomerics' Enlighten global lighting solution with Unreal Engine - including creator Unreal Editor tools. Geomerics would later license this to other Unreal Engine development studios.

2005-2009
Lead Tools and Optimization Programmer
Midway Studios Newcastle (formerly Pitbull Syndicate)

Focused on optimization efforts for Wheelman - including core technology based on top of Unreal Engine that would be used by other worldwide studios within Midway. There was a significant amount of work involved making Unreal Engine play nicely with open world racing games.

1996-2005
Co-Founder & Lead Optimization Engineer
Pitbull Syndicate

Co-founded studio with 8 others. Grew to nearly 100 developers. Shipped the successful Test Drive series, Demolition Racer and LA Rush. Sold to Midway Games in 2005.

1995-1996
Programmer
Scavenger

Worked on engine development and game prototypes in Liverpool studio.

1994-1995
Programmer
Reflections

Started career working on Destruction Derby, a PlayStation launch title.

Featured Projects

Over 30 years of shipped titles across multiple platforms

Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves

2017-2019

Conan Exiles

Conan Exiles

2016

Fortnite

Fortnite

2015

Wheelman

Wheelman

2009

Test Drive Series

Test Drive Series

1997-2002

Destruction Derby

Destruction Derby

1995

Complete Project Timeline

2016-2021 Unreal Journal ▸

Writing a blog detailing fixes, optimizations, new features and tutorials for Unreal Engine developers. Shared knowledge gained from years of engine development.

C++ Unreal Engine Technical Writing
2017-2019 Sea of Thieves ▸

Managing a large team contributing to Rare's flagship multiplayer pirate adventure. Focused on gameplay systems and optimization.

C++ Unreal Engine 4 Multiplayer
2016 Conan Exiles ▸

Worked on survival game set in the Conan the Barbarian universe. Focused on performance optimization and system architecture.

C++ Unreal Engine 4 Survival Mechanics
2015 Fortnite ▸

Early development contributions to Epic's battle royale phenomenon. Worked on core systems and optimization during the game's formative period.

C++ Unreal Engine 4 Large-scale Multiplayer
2015 LawBreakers ▸

Developed core systems for Boss Key's gravity-defying FPS. Focused on performance optimization and PlayStation 4 platform-specific features.

C++ Unreal Engine 4 PlayStation 4
2010-2015 Unreal Engine Development ▸

Core engine development and optimization for Epic's next-generation engine. Contributed to various systems throughout, particularly with optimization.

C++ Engine Architecture Cross-platform
2010 Limbs Alive / Circus Challenge ▸

Sixense-controlled game developed to help children with restrictive arm mobility as well as elderly stroke sufferers. The title won NHS innovation awards due to unique rehabilitory features of the game.

C++ Health Motion Control
2009 Dust 514 ▸

Ambitious MMOFPS connected to EVE Online. Worked on core technology and optimization.

C++ Unreal Engine 3 Optimization
2009 Unreal Engine Enlighten Integration ▸

Integrated Geomerics' Enlighten global illumination solution with Unreal Engine 3, creating tools and workflows adopted by multiple studios.

C++ Rendering Tool Development
2009 Wheelman ▸

Open-world action driving game starring Vin Diesel. Led optimization efforts and developed streaming technology for Unreal Engine 3.

C++ Unreal Engine 3 Open World
2005 LA Rush ▸

Open-world street racing game set in Los Angeles. Developed streaming technology and optimization systems.

C++ Custom Engine PS2/Xbox
2002 Test Drive Overdrive ▸

Xbox exclusive racing title showcasing the console's capabilities.

C++ Xbox Racing
2000 Demolition Racer: No Exit ▸

Dreamcast port of the destruction derby racing game with enhanced features.

C++ Dreamcast Port
1999 Big Air • Test Drive 6 • Demolition Racer ▸

Three major releases in one year: extreme sports snowboarding, street racing, and destruction derby combat racing.

C++ PlayStation PC
1998 Test Drive 5 ▸

Evolution of the Test Drive franchise with enhanced graphics and gameplay.

C++ PlayStation PC
1997 Test Drive 4 ▸

First Test Drive title developed at Pitbull Syndicate, establishing our racing game expertise.

C++ PlayStation PC
1995 Destruction Derby ▸

PlayStation launch title that defined vehicular combat racing. My first shipped title, working on core gameplay and optimization.

C++ PlayStation Launch Title

Technical Expertise

Languages & Frameworks

  • C++
  • Unreal Engine (core)

Specializations

  • Studio Management
  • Performance Optimization
  • Team Leadership
  • Business Development
  • Mergers and Acquisitions

Platforms

  • PC / Steam
  • PlayStation
  • Xbox
  • Nintendo Switch
  • Mobile (iOS/Android)
  • Commodore 64

Let's Build Something Amazing

Available for consultancy, development projects, and technical leadership roles.

🌏Located in Thailand • Available for local and international projects

✉ Email Me 💼 LinkedIn ⚡ GitHub