Game Development Lecturer & Portfolio Owner
Aleksandrs Kupruks
I'm a Game Design & Development lecturer who enjoys creating games, exploring modern technologies, and helping students develop their skills. This page shares a little about my journey, my education, and the experiences that have shaped my career.
My Journey
Games have always been more than just entertainment to me. From an early age, I found myself fascinated not only by playing them but by understanding how they were made. I wanted to know how gameplay systems worked, how different technologies came together, and how small design decisions could completely change a player's experience. That curiosity has shaped every step of my journey, from student to lecturer.
Today, less than a year into my role as a Game Design & Development lecturer at Boston College, I've had the opportunity to achieve more than I ever expected in such a short time. Since joining the college, I've redesigned the programming and game development curriculum across both the Game Design and Computing courses from the ground up, introducing Unreal Engine 5 as the primary development platform while creating new teaching materials, practical projects, and assessments that reflect current industry practices. I now coordinate the Level 3 Game Design course, help develop our upcoming Level 4 and Level 5 programmes, and have been fortunate to receive several awards recognising my work, dedication, and commitment to my students.
Getting to this point wasn't something I expected to happen so quickly. While finishing my degree at the University of Lincoln, I was recommended for my first lecturing position before I had even graduated. Although I was successful, it didn't feel like the right fit. Around the same time, Boston College - the place where my own journey into Game Design began - was looking for a lecturer. Returning to the college where I'd first discovered my passion for game development felt like the opportunity I'd been working towards.
Joining the team came with its own challenges. I started after student enrolment, leaving very little time to prepare lessons or resources before stepping into the classroom. Rather than seeing that as a setback, I embraced it as an opportunity. It forced me to think on my feet, adapt quickly, and build teaching material while actively delivering it. Looking back, that challenge became one of the biggest reasons I was able to reshape the courses so quickly.
My own journey into Game Design began at Boston College, where I completed my Level 3 studies before progressing to the University of Lincoln. It was there that I developed a wide range of technical and creative projects while graduating with a First Class Honours degree in Game Design & Development. During my time at university, I also discovered a real passion for animation. To me, animation is much more than making characters move - it's one of the key elements that shapes how a game feels, communicates with players, and even drives gameplay itself.
Above everything else, my goal has always been to create the kind of learning environment that I would have wanted as a student. One that encourages curiosity, embraces modern technologies, and gives students the confidence to experiment, solve problems, and build projects they're genuinely proud of. Seeing that confidence grow is, without question, the most rewarding part of my job.
From Graduation to Professional Recognition
Starting my teaching career came with challenges I never expected. Joining Boston College after student enrolment meant there was very little time to prepare, but it also gave me the opportunity to grow quickly, adapt, and build my own approach to teaching.
During my first year, I was honoured to receive recognition through several college awards and nominations. Early on, I was nominated for the BRIGHTEN Bravery Award, recognising the way I approached the challenges of stepping into the role and supporting students from day one.
As the year progressed, I was also nominated three separate times for Rising Star of the Year by different colleagues. Knowing that people I work alongside took the time to recognise my contribution meant a great deal to me.
While I'm incredibly grateful for those nominations, the recognition that means the most comes from my students. Reading their nominations and feedback has been the most rewarding part of my journey so far. Knowing that I've helped students grow in confidence, discover their passion for game development, and enjoy their time in the classroom is something I'll always value more than any award.
Every award represents a milestone, but for me, they're really a reflection of the relationships I've built, the challenges I've overcome, and the positive impact I hope to continue making every day.
Studies & Education
Throughout my studies and professional career, I've developed a strong technical foundation across several areas of game development. While I enjoy exploring all aspects of creating games, these are the areas where I've built the most experience and continue to develop both professionally and through personal projects.
Unreal Engine 5
Gameplay Programming
Animation Systems
Multiplayer Design
Building gameplay systems using both Blueprints and C++, with a focus on creating scalable, maintainable, and production-ready projects.
Developing gameplay mechanics, AI systems, player interaction, and technical features using modern C++ and industry-standard development practices.
Creating responsive animation systems using Animation Blueprints, Blend Spaces, State Machines, Montages, and procedural animation techniques to improve gameplay feel.
Designing multiplayer gameplay using Unreal Engine's replication framework, RPCs, authority models, and dedicated server architecture.