[Instructor Spotlight] Matt McCully, Shaping the Future of XR and Game Development

We are thrilled to introduce Matt McCully, one of our passionate and dedicated instructors. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the courses he teaches, including the Game Development Bootcamp, Interaction Design & Prototyping for XR, XR Development with Unity, and our teen course - Video Game Coding. Here’s a closer look at Matt’s journey, his teaching philosophy, and what makes him an invaluable part of our team.

Meet Matt McCully

Matt McCully’s journey in game development and XR is both impressive and inspiring. Holding an Advanced Diploma in Video Game Design and Development from Fanshawe College, Matt began his career at Exar Studio, developing captivating augmented reality experiences for museums. His expertise expanded as he developed sample projects for Niantic Lightship using the Unity Game Engine. Today, Matt is channelling his skills into a personal project with his Hololens2, showcasing his deep knowledge and passion for game development and XR technologies.

Passion for Games and Augmented Reality

Matt’s inspiration to work in the gaming and XR industry stems from his love for Ironman and the mesmerizing augmented reality scenes in the movies. Games have always been a significant part of his life.

“I've always had a passion for games. I view them as a tool in which I can express myself and enjoy myself whether it be playing games or creating them. By far the best part is seeing people's facial reactions when they play your game for the first time. And seeing them enjoy it.”

Matt’s Mission and Teaching Philosophy

Matt’s mission is to share his knowledge and passion for XR with both aspiring and experienced developers, empowering them to create engaging and innovative solutions across various industries and domains. “I enjoy working with cutting-edge tools and systems and exploring new ways to enhance user interaction and immersion in XR.” With a strong background in video game design and computer programming, and having received multiple honours for academic excellence and creative direction, Matt is dedicated to fostering a dynamic learning environment. His teaching philosophy revolves around encouragement, optimism, and effective communication. He enjoys creating an engaging and fun experience in his classrooms, infusing humour and genuine interest into his lessons.

Hobbies and Interests

When he's not immersed in game development and XR, Matt leads a vibrant life filled with diverse hobbies. From catching Pokémon and playing hockey to camping adventures and caring for his pets, Matt’s interests are as exciting as they are varied. He also enjoys playing the electronic saxophone, speed-running video games, and diving into the competitive eSports scene. These activities highlight his dynamic personality and boundless enthusiasm for fun and engaging experiences.

Most Rewarding Part of Teaching

For Matt, the most rewarding part of his job at Circuit Stream is seeing students step into the worlds they have created, whether in XR, 2D, or 3D. Witnessing their amazement at their creations makes all the hard work worthwhile. He also enjoys playing the games his students develop!

Memorable Teaching Moments

One standout moment for Matt was when he helped a student navigate a series of daunting technical challenges to complete their project. The student was working on an AR business card but faced a relentless stream of issues—everything from troublesome updates to bizarre computer glitches that seemed beyond their control. Despite the setbacks, the student’s determination never wavered. They tackled each problem one by one, and with Matt’s support and encouragement, they ultimately succeeded in creating a stunning AR scene on their business card. Watching the students overcome these obstacles and achieve their goals was incredibly rewarding for Matt, highlighting the power of perseverance and effective guidance.

Teaching Methods and Staying Current

Matt engages his students by making jokes, staying enthusiastic, and showing genuine interest in their projects and ideas. He stays current with the latest trends and developments in the field by leveraging LinkedIn and engaging in conversations with peers. These resources help him stay informed about new technologies and innovations.

Advice for Aspiring Developers

Matt has some valuable advice for those looking to break into game development and XR. He emphasizes the importance of persistence: “Don’t give up, try, try, try again. The number of broken Unity projects I have is insane.” He also stresses the need for balance and rest, sharing,

“Please don’t overwork yourself. Take breaks, sleep on ideas and problems. Some of my best debugging moments come when my head hits the pillow, and then I wake up and solve the problem in the morning.”

Matt’s insights underscore the power of perseverance and the importance of giving yourself time to recharge.

Matt McCully’s extensive background, passion for teaching, and dedication to his students make him a key member of Circuit Stream's team. We are excited to have him guide the next generation of XR and game developers. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn and YouTube.