About

The basics:

Hello! My name is Preston Grau (he/him), and I am a Software Developer at Ascend Federal Credit Union. My main focus in game development is gameplay programming!

The full story:

I am a game programmer living in Nashville, Tennessee.

I graduated from Lipscomb University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Game Development in May 2019.

During a contractor position at an indie game studio, Traega Entertainment, I gained experience in Unreal Engine 4, C++ programming, and QA. I was excited to add these skills to my experience in Unity, C# programming, and Java.

Currently, I work at Ascend Federal Credit Union as a Software Developer. I began working there in February 2021 as an Application Analyst. I work on developing services and applications in C# .NET, retrieve data with SQL for use in applications and services, and use Microsoft Azure to host services and applications in the cloud. I enjoy working with my team and communicating with a wide variety of people, from fellow programmers to colleagues in non-technical positions.

Outside of game development, I enjoy playing video games, adventuring, travelling, and learning new skills. I love expanding my skill set by taking classes to learn things like French, Japanese, and drawing. I married my best friend Julie, and we have a dog named Lilly. We enjoy spending time together and trying new restaurants, going on walks with Lilly, and playing video games.

In case that didn’t answer all your questions:

Favorite video game? The Legend of Zelda series, Hollow Knight, and Stardew Valley (I can’t choose just one!)

Music I could listen to all day? Video game soundtracks, not surprisingly. Currently I’m really enjoying the Hollow Knight score and the Legend of Zelda symphony soundtrack.

Currently playing? Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Pokemon: Legends Z-A, and Hollow Knight: Silksong

Currently reading? I just finished the The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, and I just started Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. If you have any you recommend, be sure to send them to me using the Contact tab!

Favorite restaurant in Nashville? Bartaco is great! They have such good tacos. I also love Kayne Prime. The food is amazing – everything I’ve tried there I have liked.

A fictional character I’d like to meet? Appa from Avatar: the Last Airbender

Want to hear more from me? Let me know!