As Product Owner I drove towards innovation and excellence in award-winning AAA mobile games for global audience. As Vision Holder and Team Lead I developed and shepherded all aspects of development from concept to live ops.
Accomplishment highlights:
Spirit Lords Winner of Editor’s Choice/Top Games for iPad, iPhone, and Android in 100+ countries.
● Led the conception and creation of extendable, reusable RPG framework used in multiple titles across internal studios.
● Utilized extensive experience to create dynamic and innovative game systems inspired by traditional core RPG products, adapted to mobile platforms in a free-to-play economy.
● Developed multiple IPs from the ground up, working closely with Consumer Insight group to test and validate the branding elements and artistic style for mass market appeal supported by quantitative and qualitative data.
● Worked tirelessly to ensure superb execution on product vision and features from initial concept through worldwide launch, leading live team to constantly improve game features and events.
● Efficiently supervised Product Management team to uncover and analyze segmented user behavior during open beta and worldwide launch to deliver optimized features and events to maximize KPIs and delight the audience.
● Effectively coordinated and led efforts across a large cross-functional team, including Studio Operations, Marketing, Consumer Insights, Localization, Business Development, Licensing, Legal, and Executive stakeholders, creating an organizational structure ensuring high quality, successful delivery, and optimized ROI on UA and Integrated Marketing.
General Manager
Kabam
December 2011 - December 2014
CEO
Gravity Bear
September 2008 - December 2011
Emeryville, CA
I created and grew the company while leading the strategy and vision for delivering high-quality and groundbreaking social games on emerging Web and mobile platforms. I worked tirelessly to ensure growth, stability, direction, and business operations while maintaining organization to exacting standards of excellence with a strong attention to detail.
Accomplishment highlights:
● Founded and grew company from inception to acquisition by Kabam; raised angel and strategic funding.
● Closed strategic partnerships for benefit of funding, co-marketing, distribution, and technical infrastructure.
● Led lifecycle production of Battle Punks, an innovative, successful 3D fighting game on Facebook, utilizing ground-breaking pluginless deployment and canvas rendering in partnership with Instant Action.
● Developed infrastructure for in-house analytics and KPI dashboarding..
● Cultivated strategic partnerships with early analytics providers to extend our capabilities in exchange for endorsement and co-promotion (Kontagent, SQL Stream, Swrve).
● Applied hands-on creative production on several projects while promoting internal culture of collaboration and passionate productivity.
Art Director/Co-Founder at Flagship Studios / Ping0
Flagship Studios
August 2003 - July 2008
San Francisco Bay Area
I set helped set strategic and product direction as part of original founding team of Blizzard alumni that formed the studio. Lead the development of look and feel of Hellgate: London IP, which was instrumental in securing unprecedented financing and strategic partnerships.
Accomplishment highlights:
● Created value by creating prototypes, concept art, and globally appealing original IP for product design that secured multiple eight-figure deals with partners in US, Asian, and SEA territories.
● Dramatically increased production efficiency by implementing project wide outsourced art toolchain that strategically leveraged both domestic and international providers; led design and creation of proprietary tools and pipeline that unlocked rapid asset integration and iteration.
● Led internal and external art teams and produced cinematics in collaboration with Blur Studios, led visual design for ancillary and licensed products (high-end collectible figurines by Weta Workshop, comics, toys).
● Led art localization for Chinese markets working in conjunction with Chinese publisher to provide alternate game assets that complied with government restrictions.
● Collaborated in establishment of Flagship’s satellite office in Seattle, Washington; provided Creative Direction for studio’s original IP Mythos.
Art Director
Electronic Arts
2002 - 2003
Austin, Texas Area
Art direction, character design, race and story contributions on Ultima X: Odyssey
Studio Director
Wild Tangent
2000 - 2001
Greater Seattle Area
● Managed product development and P&L for two internal development studios that built some of the first 3D browser games on the Web (Dark Orbit, Knight's Tale).
● Produced various 3rd party titles (X-Files).
● Liaison for strategic partners (Microsoft, Sony Pictures).
Lead Artist
Blizzard Entertainment
1997 - 2000
San Francisco Bay Area
Accomplishment highlights::
● Utilizing world and IP building skills developed Franchise World Bible that set the basis for all future Diablo products.
● Effectively produced game, story, and visual design for Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction expansion product.
● Provided mentorship & efficient direction as team lead for character and weapon art on Diablo 2.
● Shenk the Overseer
Lead Artist
Maxis
1996 - 1997
Austin, Texas Area
● Art Direction and co-design for innovative action RPG, Crucible
● Art production for Full Tilt 2 and Marble Drop
