Open to opportunities

Joonas Kaunisto

Software Engineer

Backend systems  ·  Game development  ·  Cloud architecture

About

I'm a software engineer with hands-on experience in game development, backend systems, and cloud architecture. I've built game clients in Unity with C# and designed serverless backend systems on Azure - covering authentication, leaderboards, data validation, and scheduled events.

Beyond games, I build web solutions for clients - from company websites to custom web applications. I care about doing things properly: clean architecture, security-conscious backend design, and reliable CI/CD pipelines from day one.

I operate as a sole trader and recently completed my Bachelor of Engineering at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, where my thesis investigated serverless architecture as a practical game backend solution using Azure Functions and PlayFab.

I'm well versed in working with AI tools in development workflows - particularly Claude Code, which I've used hands-on in web and backend development.

Skills

Unity C# PlayFab Steamworks SDK 2D & 3D Game Development Game Backend Design
Azure Functions Serverless Architecture REST APIs GitHub Actions CI/CD Azure Portal AWS Authentication & Security
JavaScript TypeScript HTML5 CSS3
Git Visual Studio Code Software Architecture Design Agile Project Management Technical Documentation

Projects

Center Ice Hockey

2020 – 2026  ·  PC / Steam  ·  Solo project

Releasing 25 Sep 2026

A fast, physical arcade ice hockey game releasing on Steam on 25 September 2026. Launch blistering slapshots and saucer passes, hit opponents down onto the ice, then drop the gloves to answer the call. Features a multi-season career mode with create-a-player and skill points, a full team and player editor with roster sets saved to disk, and both local split-screen and online multiplayer.

The project began in 2020 as a 2D game built for mobile. After deciding to move the target platform to PC and release on Steam, I rebuilt it in 3D - a shift that reached everything from rendering and animation to the physics of skating, shooting, and body checks - while keeping the arcade feel of the original design.

The client is built in Unity with C# and supports single player, local split-screen, and online multiplayer, including playing a career alongside friends. The team and player editor serialises roster sets to disk, so custom leagues can be saved, reloaded, and shared between players.

Unity C# 3D Steam Multiplayer Split-screen

Ski Jump Champions

2024 – 2026  ·  PC / Steam  ·  Solo project

Released

A 2D ski jumping game released on Steam, featuring serverless online competitions, daily leaderboards, and season management. Inspired by the classic Ski Jump International series, with intuitive controls and both local and online game modes.

The backend is fully serverless: Azure Functions handles jump result validation, style point calculation (computed server-side to prevent cheating), leaderboard management, and daily hill rotation. PlayFab manages player authentication via Steam, persistent data storage, and scheduled tasks that trigger Azure Functions automatically.

The Unity/C# client authenticates through Steamworks SDK and communicates with the backend over HTTPS. CI/CD is automated with GitHub Actions, deploying backend changes to Azure on every push to main. Through development and launch, operational costs have stayed at zero - the serverless model scales spending with actual player activity.

Unity C# Azure Functions PlayFab Steamworks SDK GitHub Actions Serverless

Siege Castles

PHZ Game Studios  ·  iOS & Android

Released

A mobile castle siege game developed at PHZ Game Studios, available on Google Play and the App Store.

Moomin Move

Tribered  ·  iOS & Android

Discontinued

An augmented reality location-based mobile game set in the Moomin universe. Players explored the physical world using GPS to discover Moomin Valley, collect items, and interact with characters - similar in format to Pokémon GO. Developed at Tribered.

Clients

Companies I've delivered software for

Kauneushoitola Luonnonlumo
Kauneushoitola Luonnonlumo

Maintaining the company website.

Service integrations.

Website Development
SalusPro Oy
SalusPro Oy

Designed and developed the company website.

Website Development
Aarni Health Oy
Aarni Health Oy

Built a custom web application prototype for the business.

Web Application

Education

Metropolia

Bachelor of Engineering

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Information and Communication Technology  ·  Software Engineering

Graduated May 2026

Thesis

Azure Functions and PlayFab as serverless architecture in game development

Amiedu

Degree in Audio Visual Communication

Amiedu

Game Arts & Design

2017

Certifications