Résumé
Kiersten Samwell
Game Designer
I am a Game Designer with a strong background in community management. This career path has given me a unique perspective on how players engage with the games they play. This insight has enabled me to design, expand and iterate on systems that are easily adopted, quickly understood, and result in a more engaged community of players.
Current Game Design Experience
| Ubisoft (Toronto) Senior Game Designer |
Projects: Watch Dogs Legion Oct 2017 – present |
Prior Co-Dev Game Design Experience
| Certain Affinity Game Designer |
Projects: Unannounced Projects Oct 2016 – Jun 2017 |
-
- Gameplay mode design for 3rd-party partners
-
- Item design and monetization planning
-
- Documentation of proposed changes to systems and gameplay adjustments
-
- Scripting related work in studio proprietary languages
- Daily use of Jira, Trello, Perforce and studio proprietary development tools
MMO System Design Experience
| KingsIsle Entertainment Inc. MMO Game System Designer I Associate Game System Designer II |
Projects: Wizard101 and Pirate101 Jan 2015 – May 2016 May 2014 – Jan 2015 |
-
- Conception, design and implementation of dynamic and engaging gameplay systems for two large scale live MMO projects
-
- Concept, creation, pricing and implementation of items for in-game monetized shop
-
- Item pricing for in-game economy balance
-
- Loot table creation, balance and ongoing maintenance
-
- Daily use of TestTrack Pro, Jira, Alienbrain, Photoshop, Excel and studio proprietary development tools
-
- Full ownership of companion pet system, gardening system, crafting system, fishing system, player mount system, housing and housing decoration systems
-
- Adaptation of gameplay systems between projects
-
- Documentation of ongoing and proposed changes to systems and gameplay adjustments
-
- Narrative auditing and supplementation
- Lore enforcement
Community Management Experience
| KingsIsle Entertainment Inc. Community / P.R. / Social Media Manager Community Manager / Content Manager |
Projects: Wizard101 and Pirate101 Jul 2011 – Aug 2014 Aug 2008 – Jul 2011 |
- Crisis management
- Message Board moderation
- Social Media moderation and management
- Prolific content creation of daily news, monthly newsletters and quarterly game updates
- Print media management and advertising creative
- Fansite curation
- Monthly and quarterly game update notes
- Contest and player engagement initiatives
Prior Career History
| Techgage Networks Contributing Editor / Content Editor |
http://www.techgage.com May 2006 – Aug 2008 |
| WarCry Networks Network Site Manager – warcry.com Site Manager – ac.warcry.com Asst. Site Manager – ac.warcry.com Columnist – ac.warcry.com |
http://ac.warcry.com Jan 2006 – May 2006 May 2004 – Jan 2006 Apr 2004 – May 2004 Mar 2004 – Apr 2004 |
Honors & Awards
- WINNER of the GDCOnline 2011 Audience Award
The Audience Award honors the favorite game of the worldwide online game community.
http://www.gdconlineawards.com/archive/gdcoa_2nd.html - Nominee for the GDCOnline 2010 Best Community Relations Award
http://www.gdconlineawards.com/archive/gdcoa_1st.html - Wizard101 inducted into the MMO Hall of Fame for its major contributions to the massively multiplayer online gaming industry
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/210468/ - Article written for publication at WarCry and referenced by Wired and PCGamer on the end of Asheron’s Call 2
http://www.warcry.com/news/view/51275-Asherons-Call-This-is-the-end-Beautiful-Friend
(note: Author is onscreen name of Ellen_Ripley, archived article is not maintained by WarCry and some images may be lost)
Education
| St. Lawrence College / St. Laurent
Loyalist College |
Post Graduate Studies: Urban Planning
Civil Engineering Technology |