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A Systems Designer specialized in Combat
In essence, System Design is the art and science of crafting rules. However, rules don’t exist in a vacuum:
What we truly desire in a game is to achieve an experience.
For approximately a decade and a half, I have dedicated myself to understanding that peculiar, elusive phenomenon where certain elements in a screen, arranged in a particular order, can have such an immense impact in the mind of a player.
In particular, Combat and Progression systems touch upon subtle but very powerful mechanisms of our brains. Understanding the nuances on how to setup a right combo system, how a camera should be for a combat to feel right, or how to scale up power through the player’s journey is as complex as it is fascinating.
Truly an ever-evolving field at the core of the Game Design discipline, and the one which I’ve chosen to make my passion and my profession.
The Art of Rulecrafting
My experience as a Combat Designer involved multiple areas of expertise
COMBAT SYSTEMS
Combat is an essential core element of most Action and RPG games.
I have been deeply involved in various combat systems within several of the projects I have worked on.
From hitbox design for meticulously crafted movesets and characterskills to intricate RPG systems teeming with stats, formulas, and other mechanical layers.
PROGRESSION DESIGN
Designing a Progression system implies a careful control of the pacing and rules under which the player explores the content.
The goal is to create a player journey, a travel through the game which both engages and makes the player excited about what’s next.
Progression design is very related to math skills but also player psychology and working with a Data-Driven approach.
3C: CHARACTER, CAMERA, CONTROL
3Cs are the fundamentals of most games, but they are heavily influenced by the game’s vision.
How should a camera behave? How would the attack inputs be organized so it feels good?
Game Feel, the flow and pacing of a combat system, encounter design and many more aspects are critical for a succesful experience, from prototyping to polishing.
TOOLS AND SPECS
A Designer needs to communicate well. This means proper understanding of specs but also gaining mastery of descriptive writing.
Also, my Computer Sciences background gives me a degree of understanding and freedom when providing very technical documentation.
I have good experience with Unreal Engine, Unity and the most important and relevant tools in the current Games Industry.
The Art of Rulecrafting
My experience as a Combat Designer involved multiple areas of expertise
AI Design
Creating Memorable Opponents
Designing enemy AI involves a delicate balance: ensuring the enemy fulfills its intended gameplay role while behaving in ways that feel believable and immersive. Every action must contribute to the player's sense of challenge, progression, and mastery.
Enemies are the cornerstone of any engaging combat challenge—there's no combat without a proper enemy. Crafting memorable enemies requires more than just assigning stats or animations; it’s about creating adversaries that are both mechanically compelling and thematically resonant.
I’ve designed a wide range of enemies, from straightforward minions to intricate boss fights. Whether it’s a group of minor foes whose teamwork poses a threat or an epic, multi-phase boss that tests the player’s skill and endurance, I strive to create encounters that are as rewarding as they are memorable.
SKILL HIGHLIGHTS
Technical Expertise
Tools of the trade
The role of a Combat Designer extends beyond creating challenges—it involves shaping the very systems that define combat. This includes designing hitboxes, animations, combo systems, weapon properties, and more. Diving into these finer details demands both an artistic eye and a deeply technical mindset.
To achieve this, Combat Designers often rely on complex models and analytical tools to fine-tune parameters for abilities, weapons, characters, and AI entities. These systems are not just numbers; they are the backbone of the player’s sense of agency and satisfaction.
With my technical expertise and strong documentation skills, I can oversee the entire pipeline of combat system creation, from conceptualization to implementation and balancing. This holistic approach ensures that every element, from the smallest hitbox to the largest ability set, works seamlessly together to deliver an engaging experience.
SKILL HIGHLIGHTS
Ability and Weapon Design
Empowering the Player
Abilities and weapons are not just sources of power; they define how players interact with the world and its challenges. Well-designed tools enhance the variety of encounters and allow players to approach combat in diverse and creative ways. They open the door to multiple builds and playstyles, encouraging experimentation and personalization.
Empowering players through thoughtfully designed abilities and weapons isn’t just about balance—it’s about inspiring them to explore, adapt, and thrive in every encounter.
As players grow stronger, so too must their arsenal of abilities and weapons evolve.
As players grow stronger, so too must their arsenal of abilities and weapons evolve.
By carefully crafting these systems, I aim to create mechanics that feel impactful and rewarding. Each ability or weapon serves a purpose, whether it’s enabling a specific tactic, expanding strategic options, or simply providing a satisfying sense of mastery.
SKILL HIGHLIGHTS
