Hello!
I’m Marco A. Rosado Santana, a passionate game developer and technical artist from Puerto Rico. Specializing in 3D art and asset creation. Co-founder of EMP Studios.
Projects
EMP Studios
EMP Studios is an up-and-coming entertainment multimedia studio composed of Elian Callejas, Marco Rosado and Paul Torres. We aim to create immersive worlds explored through multiple storytelling mediums, including video games, comics and books. Our mission is to develop interconnected narratives that transcend a single format.My role in the team involves overseeing the design and implementation of the artistic elements. This includes character design, world design, UI designs, sound design and animations. Since we are a small team, I’m also in charge of project production and task distribution.
InterEmprende
InterEmprende is a student-led organization at the Inter American University, Bayamón Campus, dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship across various industries. As Vice President, I am using this platform to champion the gaming industry, organizing events, workshops, and discussions that provide valuable insights into game development, business strategies, and industry opportunities. Through this initiative, I aim to bridge the gap between aspiring developers and industry professionals, equipping students with the knowledge and resources needed to succeed. Currently, InterEmprende is operated by the members of EMP Studios, allowing us to further integrate entrepreneurial and creative development within the gaming sector.
C.A.I.N
C.A.I.N is an action role-playing game currently in development by EMP Studios, planned for release on Windows. Players take control of C.A.I.N, a rogue AI, attempting to escape Eden’s facilities and prevent a technological singularity from destroying humanity.For this project, I am responsible for character design, world aesthetics, animations, sound, and UI. The game features a unique blend of 2D and 3D visuals, with hand-painted textures applied to 3D models. Additionally, it utilizes an isometric orthographic perspective, enhancing the game's distinct artistic style and immersive gameplay.
The Manor
The Manor is a first-person mystery game developed as the final project for the Graphics for Video Games course, taught by Prof. Jonathan Martínez. Over the course of two months, I collaborated with four other developers, including Elian Callejas and Paul Torres, the other two members of EMP Studios. Our project received the top marks (A) for its design and execution.The game features a two-floor manor built with modular terrain and furniture, animated paintings, and both friendly and hostile NPCs with patrol paths and chase sequences. My contributions included creating all modular terrain, designing textures, and modeling both the main character and the villain. The rest of the team modeled furniture, assembled the level using my assets, and programmed the game mechanics.
Locke Mansion
Locke Mansion is an asymmetric multiplayer survival horror game developed by EMP Studios for the Tiger Jam at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón Campus. Built using the Unity game engine, the project allowed us to implement a peer-to-peer multiplayer system. Although we didn’t fully complete the game within the 7-day time limit, we were incredibly proud of our achievements. Notably, we were the only team to successfully implement multiplayer in the competition, despite our prior experience being primarily with Unreal Engine. We managed to integrate multiplayer functionality, team-based gameplay, and a small map with modular terrain within a new and unfamiliar engine.
Shadows of Memory
Shadows of Memory is a 2D hack-and-slash game created by EMP Studios for the Pirate Software 2024 Summer Jam, centered around the theme of shadows and alchemy. Our interpretation of the theme involved a protagonist who has altered brain chemistry, experiencing hallucinations that he must confront each night. The game features a day and night cycle, with enemies attacking during the night phase.I was responsible for overseeing the character design and animations for this short project, ensuring the visual elements aligned with the game’s core mechanics and narrative.
The INTER Developer Experience
The Inter Tiger game was developed by students of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón Campus to showcase the skills learned during our bachelor’s program. The platformer game, designed for recruitment, features levels that shift between 2D and 3D, where players collect coins and parkour through a mockup of the university until the end is reached.My contribution involved making UI symbols and the collectibles you come across while playing, being the only person cited in two departments in the credits.
Industry Involvement
Showcasing my active involvement in the game development community, including events hosted, participated in, and notable achievements.
Chancellor's List: One of only four students in my Videogame Development and Design program to be named to the Chancellor’s List, placing me among the top graded students in my bachelor’s program.Recognition ceremony for outstanding students: In recognition of my leadership, community service and participation in the ACBSP School of Thought entrepreneurial competition, I was honored and given a certificate.ACBSP School of Thought Pitch Competition: During this event I pitched my videogame, C.A.I.N, to judges from the ACBSP, being the runner-up in Region 1 (this includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and USVI). This contributed to our university receiving accreditation from the ACBSP.Tiger Jam: During this 7-day game jam, we at EMP Studios developed Locke Mansion, a multiplayer asymmetric game where players must escape an abandoned house while a single killer stalks and tries to eliminate them. Although we didn't complete the game in its entirety, we gained valuable experience with Unity—a new and unfamiliar engine—and were the only team to successfully incorporate team-based multiplayer gameplay within the time limit.Emprende Day: Tiger Jam Showcase: InterEmprende hosted the Tiger Jam with one of our Emprende Days, a student market by students for students. The intent was to boost visibility and promote more engagement with both activities.Inter Hackathon 2024: Placed second in a hackathon that was open to all inter campuses across the island (9 campuses), competing against a wide range of talented participants.Cafecitos: Two-time participant of Cafecitos, an event by PRGDA that pairs mentees with industry professionals for one-on-one mentorship sessions. I had the privilege of being mentored by Hugo Moraleida of Klei Entertainment on programming and Attorney Maritere Ysern, a lawyer at Sifre Group and Emmy Award-winning writer, on business processes, financial incentives in Puerto Rico, and storytelling.GDC Showcase: Thanks to the PRGDA, I won a raffle granting me access to the online GDC Showcase. During the event, I attended numerous talks and panels, gaining insights into various aspects of game development. Additionally, I participated in virtual networking sessions, connecting with industry professionals and fellow developers.Business and legal considerations for launching your video game company:
As the event coordinator, I managed logistics and communication with guest speakers Prof. Jonathan Martínez (CEO of 8bit Bosses, PRGDA President) and Attorney Maritere Ysern. I planned the event structure, ensuring a smooth experience for speakers and attendees.Hosted by Inter Emprende, this talk covered startup structuring, intellectual property, and incentives for game developers in Puerto Rico. Open to students from Puerto Rico and Panama, it provided key legal and business insights for launching a studio. My efforts secured high-profile speakers and facilitated discussions on critical industry topics.Intrapreneurship: Telling your Development Story: As part of Inter Emprende's initiative to bring industry knowledge to students, we invited Esteban Maldonado, Senior Developer Advocate for Multiplayer Solutions at Unity (Unity Evangelist), to discuss the role of innovation and entrepreneurship within companies. Esteban shared his personal experiences in driving transformation and how developers can create opportunities for growth within their organizations.From Idea to Launch: How Videogames Are Developed: A panel at Comic Con organized by the PRGDA, featuring SRG Studios and Pichon Games discussing their projects Champion Shift and The Bunny Graveyard, respectively. The session, hosted by Sylvette Rosario, provided insights into the game development process from concept to release.UX in Video Games: In this talk, Coraly Rosario, Principal UX Designer at Zynga, informed us about the four main types of UI: non-diegetic (outside the game world, like health bars), diegetic (within the game world, like in-game objects), meta (outside the game, such as menus), and spatial (integrated into the game environment). She discussed how each type impacts player experience and gameplay immersion. Coraly covered the importance of creating intuitive and engaging user experiences, emphasizing how UI elements can enhance gameplay and overall player satisfaction.Unity & Networking: This session, led by Esteban Maldonado, served as the inauguration for Tiger Jam. We learned about Unity's multiplayer capabilities, which inspired our team to integrate multiplayer features into our game for the jam. This event marked the official kick-off for the Tiger Jam. It was impressive that he managed to integrate multiplayer in under an hour.Godot Game Engine Usage Workshop: In this workshop led by Emmanuel Acosta, we explored Godot as an open-source alternative to the more widely-used Unity and Unreal Engine. We discussed its features, strengths, and potential benefits for game developers looking for a more accessible and customizable engine.Talk: Audio Design & Production with Kevin Regamey: Kevin Regamey, Creative Director at Power Up Studio, known for his work on Celeste and his involvement with Darkest Dungeon, gave us an insightful overview of audio in game development. He walked us through the process of acquiring a project, the importance of contracts, and the steps involved in shipping and launching a game. The session also covered crucial stages like pre-production and production, focusing on key audio elements such as balance, panorama, frequency range, dynamics, dimension, and interest.
Other Events
Food Drives to "El Comedor de la Kennedy": InterEmprende organizes food drives each semester to support El Comedor de la Kennedy, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity in Puerto Rico. The initiative collected donations from students and the community, helping the organization provide essential meals to those in need, including children and the elderly. These drives raised awareness and contributed to El Comedor de la Kennedy’s mission to alleviate hunger and support vulnerable populations across Puerto Rico and beyond.Emprende Days: Once EMP Studios took the lead in Inter Emprende, we introduced Emprende Days, a student market initiative aimed at boosting entrepreneurial efforts across the university. This event offers students a space to showcase and test their business ideas, providing exposure, networking opportunities, and valuable feedback. Through Emprende Days, Inter Emprende has empowered aspiring entrepreneurs to take their first steps toward launching successful ventures while fostering a sense of community and collaboration within the university.5k: En Route to Manatee Liberation: We helped organize a 5k event at the Inter American University of Bayamón campus. As part of the event, we coordinated an artisan market featuring both student and external vendors, raising funds for the Caribbean Manatee Conservatory. The conservatory is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of manatees and other marine animals, supported by our community outreach and research programs.Beach Cleanups: As part of my commitment to environmental sustainability, I have actively participated in various beach cleanups, including the island-wide Scuba Dogs initiative and several municipal efforts. These activities focus on cleaning up local beaches to protect marine life and maintain the health of our coastal ecosystems. By engaging in these cleanups, I contribute to preserving Puerto Rico’s natural beauty while fostering community collaboration for a cleaner, healthier environment.
About
I'm Marco A. Rosado Santana, a third-year Videogame Design and Development student at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón Campus. From the moment I enrolled, I was selected for the Honor Program—an opportunity that has pushed me to excel academically while actively participating in extracurricular and community initiatives.Beyond the classroom, I thrive as a student leader and entrepreneur. I co-founded EMP studios with lifelong friends and specialize as a Technical Artist, with a strong focus on Blender, enabling me to bring imaginative worlds to life. I'm also serving as Vice President of InterEmprende—a student organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation within the gaming community.I’m also a dedicated gamer and proud nerd. I love videogames—favorites include Terraria, Cyberpunk, Skyrim, and Minecraft (I’m especially into mods)—and I’m passionate about adventure in every form of media. Fantasy is my favorite genre, with science fiction a close second.One of my special interests is Dungeons & Dragons! I enjoy designing games tailored to people’s experiences and am currently running a campaign as Dungeon Master with members of EMP Studios and friends.
Contact
If you’re interested in collaborating, discussing a project, or just want to chat about game development, feel free to reach out! You can contact me through the following platforms: