OVERVIEW
MY ROLE
- Designed and maintained level editor tools
- Planned the level ladder
- - Created 400+ shipped levels
- Established frameworks that for ongoing live-ops iteration
- Helped design fundamental game systems including selection mechanics, matching algorithms, and physics-based aiming
- Conceptualized game modes and enemy behaviors from initial design
- - Managed ongoing content updates and balance changes based on player data
- - Coordinated with localization teams for multi-market release
DESIGN CHALLENGES
PROGRESSION AT SCALE
The challenge was creating 400+ levels that felt fresh while maintaining clear difficulty progression across multiple game modes without overwhelming casual players.
I established modular design templates that could be mixed and recombined, using color theory and visual complexity as difficulty indicators. Built progression curves that ramped smoothly between modes while keeping each level distinct.
Players got variety without confusion, and the system scaled efficiently for ongoing content creation.
NARRATIVE APPROVAL PIPELINE
The challenge was handling localization for a major IP where every single text string had to go through Dreamworks' movie writers for approval, creating massive bottlenecks in an already tight development cycle.
I established a streamlined review process with batched submissions and clear context documentation for each text piece. Created standardized templates that aligned with the movie’s tone and character voices, reducing back-and-forth revisions. Built buffer time into production schedules to account for the approval delays.
Instead of constant rewrites and missed deadlines, we got consistent brand voice across all markets while keeping development on track.
AWARD
INFO
DreamWorks Trolls Pop won the Google Play award for Best Casual Game in 2020.
