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Mike Fahmie

@mikefahmie

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Engineering manager at Bungie who led Destiny 2 live-service systems and launched YouTube Playables from zero to one.

United States

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At Bungie, I led eight engineers across AI, gameplay, physics, tools, and security for Destiny 2. I drove a Havok migration through a decade-old live-service codebase and shipped The Final Shape and Edge of Fate.

At Google, I led development of the YouTube Playables API from zero to launch, delivering cross-platform saves, leaderboards, multiplayer, lifecycle management, and monetization. I also managed the Stadia SDK team and shipped Immersive Stream for Games.

I co-founded Fifth Column Games and grew the studio to 28 full-time employees, while designing and programming games and prototypes. I designed the Mr. Robot Season_4.0 ARG’s post-finale puzzles and progression; it won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Interactive Extension of a Linear Program.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Senior Engineering Manager

Bungie

Sep 2023 - Jul 2026 (2 years 10 months)

Led a team of 8 engineers across AI, gameplay, physics, tools, and security for Destiny 2, a live-service FPS. Drove migration to a modern Havok release and kept release cadence on schedule through layoffs.

C++Havok Gameplay Systems AI Physics Tools Security Live Services Release Management

Software Engineering Manager II

Google

Jan 2022 - Jul 2023 (1 year 6 months)

Led 0-to-1 development of the YouTube Playables API, delivering cross-platform saves, leaderboards, multiplayer, lifecycle management, and monetization. Managed the Stadia SDK team for white-label cloud game streaming.

API Design SDK Development Cloud Gaming Cross Platform Development Multiplayer Gaming Monetization Leadership

Co-Founder

Fifth Column Games

Dec 2011 - Jan 2022 (10 years 1 month)

Co-founded the studio and grew it to 28 full-time employees, setting priorities and managing department heads. Designed and programmed full titles and prototypes, including renderers, animation frameworks, and physics simulations.

C++C#Game Development Rendering Animation Physics Analytics Game Economy Encryption

Lead Programmer

CrowdStar

Dec 2009 - Jun 2010 (6 months)

Led 4 programmers and 3 artists and grew Happy Island to 3 million daily active users in 3 months. Pioneered the high-tier microtransaction model with the industry's first premium virtual good.

Game Development Team Leadership microtransactions iOS Android

Programmer

Sibblingz

Jun 2009 - Dec 2009 (6 months)

Designed and built a high-performance, scalable game engine for Facebook games, later expanded to mobile and e-readers. Built Happy Island, the first Facebook game with isometric 2.5D and height-mapped terrain.

Game Engines C++Facebook Games Mobile Isometric Rendering

Programmer

Nvidia

May 2008 - May 2009 (1 year)

Created and optimized OpenGL ES drivers for embedded applications. Developed multi-stage shaders for autostereoscopic displays with dynamic parallax barriers.

OpenGLES Driver Optimization Shaders Embedded Systems

Programmer

Page44

Oct 2006 - Mar 2008 (1 year 5 months)

Built a cross-platform particle authoring tool running live on all target consoles. Implemented skater controls and moved bespoke physics to Havok for Tony Hawk's Project 8 and Proving Ground.

C++Particle Systems Havok Console Development Physics

Programmer

Santa Cruz Games

Sep 2005 - Sep 2006 (1 year)

Built a fixed-point particle engine for Nintendo DS and PSP. Designed and built a multiplayer meta game.

C++Particle Systems Nintendo PSP Multiplayer Gaming

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of California, Santa Cruz

Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering

Grade: with Highest Honors

Activities and societies: Excellence in Teaching Award, IEEE Student Branch President

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with Highest Honors. Received the Excellence in Teaching Award and served as IEEE Student Branch President.