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: Unannounced Projects
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

Education

St. Lawrence College / St. Laurent

Loyalist College

 Post Graduate Studies: Urban Planning

Civil Engineering Technology