Project Brief: Neowiz based out of South Korea, saw the rise of social gambling on Facebook & the growing demand for games tailored to a specific audience. To ensure their games resonated with North American players, they partnered with us to build a suite of games.

Solution: Under a tight timeline, we designed and delivered three social casino slot games, each with a rich UI and a strong narrative. I met with stakeholders to gather requirements to creating concepts, direct the art team, manage scope as well as create assets for each game. All three games were successfully delivered within budget & time with immersive interactions.

Learnings: Under a tight timeline, we designed and delivered three social casino slot games, each with a rich UI and a strong narrative. I met with stakeholders to gather requirements to creating concepts, direct the art team, manage scope as well as create assets for each game. All three games were successfully delivered within budget & time with immersive interactions.

Results:  The games, featuring strong narratives and high-quality animations, excelled on Neowiz’s Facebook page. The interactions provide a strong narrative which attracted and engaged the targeted players.

Project Brief: Rocket Gaming Systems, an enterprise of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Business Development Authority, operates out of Grove, Oklahoma. The company specializes in designing, developing, and delivering slot-style casino games and cabinets, primarily serving Native American Tribe-owned casinos in the U.S., along with growing state-regulated markets. Renowned as a pioneer and leading manufacturer in Class II interactive electronic gaming systems and player stations, Rocket Gaming sought to further its reputation in the casino industry.

Solution: In response to Rocket Gaming’s request for a standout game, we developed an Egyptian-themed slot game centered on Isis, a significant deity in Egyptian mythology. Our comprehensive approach included:

1. Data Analysis and Terminology Understanding: Analyzing thousands of data elements and familiarizing with scientific terminology to ensure accuracy and relevance.
2. Workflow Structuring: Developing a well-organized workflow, breaking down the system into distinct processes for efficient DNA sample tracking. This restructuring also included capturing historical data for more intuitive user guidance.
3. Collaborative Workshops: Conducting workshops to critically analyze the workflow and develop wireframes, facilitating collaborative problem-solving and design ideation.
4. Efficient Redesign: Achieving a complete system redesign within one year, a significant improvement over the previous 2-3 years spent on redesign and requirements gathering.

Learnings:  The project demanded extensive coordination with cross-functional teams, encompassing aspects such as design, art assets, animations, sound/music, and sprite sheets, highlighting the importance of communication in complex game development.

Results: The “Magic of Isis” game emerged as a major revenue generator on casino floors. Its high-quality graphics, character design, and animations provided a deeply immersive experience with a compelling narrative, successfully keeping players engaged and entertained. This project not only reinforced Rocket Gaming’s position in the casino industry but also demonstrated our ability to create captivating gaming experiences.

Solution: My role was to spearhead the design of three socially-engaging casino slot games while managing a team of remote designers. The project required:

1. Creation of Immersive Experiences: Each game was designed to offer a rich and immersive user experience, featuring unique and captivating graphics and exciting bonus round picks supporting the narrative.
2. Comprehensive Design Involvement: I was actively involved in every phase of the game design process. This included:
   • Initial consultations with stakeholders to understand their vision and objectives.
   • Conceptualization of game themes and mechanics.
   • Direction and coordination with the art team to ensure aesthetic excellence.
   • Scope management to align the project with budgetary and timeline constraints.
   • Hands-on development of game assets, ensuring a cohesive and engaging visual narrative.
3. Efficient Project Execution: Managing multiple games simultaneously required meticulous attention to detail and effective time management.

Learnings: Delivering three high-quality games within a three-month period was a challenging endeavor. It demanded not only creative skills but also rigorous project management and the ability to maintain high standards under tight deadlines.

Results: The games, distinguished by their compelling narratives and superior animations, quickly became popular on Gamehouse’s Facebook platform. They exceeded expectations in user engagement and monetization, with specially designed bonus games further enhancing player revenue. The success of these games demonstrated not only the effectiveness of the design and management strategies employed but also set a new standard for social casino games on social media platforms.

Project Brief: Tasked with the groundbreaking challenge of transforming iWin’s popular “Jewel Quest” into a match-3 game suitable for the regulated gambling sector, we embarked on a project to blend skill-based gameplay with gambling norms – a fusion not previously achieved in the industry.

Solution:  To achieve this, we innovated a unique collecting mechanism within the game, making wins feel skill-driven but controlled by a mathematical model.

1. Innovative Collecting Mechanism: Developed a novel in-game collecting mechanism, ingeniously balancing skill-driven wins with a robust mathematical model to ensure regulated gambling compliance.
2. Innovation and Presence: Our approach was to infuse the game with unique and innovative gameplay elements. These features were meticulously crafted to make the game a standout in the crowded online gambling arena.
3. Compliance with Mathematical Models: Rigorous adherence to the mathematical models required for regulated gaming was paramount, ensuring that the game met all compliance standards while maintaining fairness and reliability.
4. Artistic Appeal: We focused on creating a visually stunning design and art style. The aesthetic was tailored to captivate players, encouraging prolonged engagement and thereby driving monetization.

Learnings: This venture highlighted our ability to creatively merge different gaming genres and delve into player psychology. We successfully preserved the skill-based essence of the game, harmonizing it with the stringent requirements of gambling regulations.

Results:The game’s launch was a resounding success, particularly in Asian markets, where its skill-based elements resonated strongly with players. This led to a strategic shift away from traditional base gameplay, positioning it as the first skill-based gambling game to achieve such acclaim. This success is a testament to our innovative design and strategic implementation, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of skill-based gambling games.

Project Brief: Boveda sought to develop TR1N1TY Trust, a pioneering digital service addressing the growing need for managing digital legacies. In an era where digital data is constantly evolving through social networking, eCommerce, and online videos, the concept of digital legacy has become increasingly significant. TR1N1TY Trust was envisioned as the world’s first “digital heartbeat” service, designed to monitor a user’s digital presence and alert their loved ones in cases of inactivity or distress. The service aimed to offer reassurance and proactive management of digital assets, ensuring they are securely transferred to designated contacts if necessary.

Solution: As the product manager, I led a thorough analysis of the competitive landscape to formulate a strategic roadmap. Key actions included:

1. Market Analysis: Investigating the competitive environment to identify market trends and user touchpoints.
2. Roadmap Development: Crafting a product roadmap with phased feature releases, aligning with stakeholder budgets.
3. MVP Identification: Determining the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to position TR1N1TY Trust effectively in the market.
4. Innovative Feature Design: Developing a unique tracking mechanism using cellphone devices, enabling the detection of user distress or inactivity without relying on conventional features.

Learnings: This project highlighted the versatility of cellphone device features, which we utilized to create a reliable method for monitoring user activity and triggering alerts to their loved ones.

Results: Our strategic approach resulted in a comprehensive product roadmap, detailed concept, and wireframes. These deliverables provided essential guidance for stakeholders and the development team, laying the foundation for the successful implementation of TR1N1TY Trust. This initiative not only positions Boveda at the forefront of digital legacy management but also demonstrates our commitment to innovative, user-centric solutions in the digital age.

Project Brief: Design and development of a distinctive online gambling game for Old Skool Studios that was engaging and had an innovative game that distinguished itself in the competitive online gambling market.

Solution:

1. Innovation and Presence: The game must feature unique and innovative elements that enable it to stand out in the vast online gambling landscape.
2. Compliance with Mathematical Models: Essential adherence to the mathematical models and frameworks required for regulated gaming, ensuring compliance and fairness.
3. Artistic Appeal: The design and art style of the game need to be visually striking, with the aim of attracting and retaining players, ultimately driving monetization.

Learnings: Supporting game features and the math model proved to be a challenge that allowed us to come up with innovative solutions for game play. These included using a pachinko mechanic for the gamble feature and the bonus wheel for the bonus game.

Results: A captivating and compliant online gambling game that effectively merges creative innovation with the necessary regulatory standards, while also achieving strong player engagement and monetization potential.

Project Brief: Odobo, a burgeoning platform for distributing game IPs to online gambling sites, collaborated with independent studios to forge innovative and unique gaming content that breaks away from the traditional mold of online casino games.

Solution: Develop a game with innovative features to include a gamble feature, unique bonus games that support the narrative.

1. Innovation and Presence: The project focused on integrating distinctive interactive elements that differentiate these games from standard slot offerings. This was achieved by introducing novel gameplay mechanics and user interactions, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
2. Compliance with Mathematical Models: A key aspect was ensuring strict compliance with the mathematical models required in regulated gaming. This adherence guaranteed not only legal compliance but also the fairness and reliability of the gaming experience, crucial in maintaining player trust.
3. Artistic Appeal: Emphasis was placed on creating visually captivating designs and art styles. This strategic focus aimed to engage players at first glance and maintain their interest, thereby driving monetization through sustained player involvement.

Learnings: The project’s journey involved tackling challenges related to game features and adherence to mathematical models. This process led to creative gameplay innovations, notably the integration of a bonus wheel and power switches, which provided an enriched and immersive bonus gaming experience.

Results: The efforts culminated in the development of ‘Epic City’, a game that received acclaim from reviewers for its distinctive, story-driven approach. This game stood out for its ability to captivate and engage players, marking it as a significant success in the realm of online casino gaming and demonstrating the efficacy of our collaborative and innovative approach.

Project Brief: JPM required an expedited design for an online casino to align with a critical game release, facing a strict two-month deadline for design and development to facilitate immediate revenue generation.

Solution: After analyzing JPM’s tech stack, I collaborated closely with the development team to identify the quickest and most efficient method for feature implementation. We identified low hanging fruit to implement first. I meticulously wireframed each feature, annotating interactions comprehensively. Following this, I initiated the design phase, crafting visual assets aligned with the website’s functionality.

1. Technology Analysis: Conducted a thorough analysis of JPM’s technology stack to understand the framework and potential constraints.
2. Efficient Collaboration: Worked closely with the development team to identify and prioritize ‘quick win’ features for rapid implementation.
3. Detailed Wireframing: Created detailed wireframes for each feature, including comprehensive annotations to guide interactions.
4. Design and Art Production: Developed visual assets that were both aesthetically pleasing and functionally aligned with the website’s needs.
5. Concept Development: Designed an engaging user experience tailored to the unique features of the casino games.
6. Art and UI/UX Design: Ensured high-quality graphics and user-friendly interface designs.
7. Strategic Team Collaboration: Maintained close coordination with the development team for seamless integration of design elements.

Learnings: Employing a streamlined design process and effective client communication was crucial in meeting the demanding two-month timeline.

Results:  project’s success was marked by the delivery of all necessary assets and a detailed blueprint for the website’s construction. This agile approach to design enabled JPM to launch their online casino in sync with the game release, maximizing revenue opportunities and demonstrating the value of rapid yet meticulous design execution.

Project Brief: Design and development of a distinctive online gambling game for Old Skool Studios that was engaging and had an innovative game that distinguished itself in the competitive online gambling market.

Solution:

1. Innovation and Presence: The game must feature unique and innovative elements that enable it to stand out in the vast online gambling landscape.
2. Compliance with Mathematical Models: Essential adherence to the mathematical models and frameworks required for regulated gaming, ensuring compliance and fairness.
3. Artistic Appeal: The design and art style of the game need to be visually striking, with the aim of attracting and retaining players, ultimately driving monetization.

Learnings: Supporting game features and the math model proved to be a challenge that allowed us to come up with innovative solutions for game play. These included using a pachinko mechanic for the gamble feature and the bonus wheel for the bonus game.

Results: A captivating and compliant online gambling game that effectively merges creative innovation with the necessary regulatory standards, while also achieving strong player engagement and monetization potential.

Project Brief: Major League Partners aimed to create a desktop application for capturing and analyzing baseball swings. The app features a video capture tool and a ‘capture wizard’ for processing the swing through a training module. This module examines seven key postures, leading to the generation of automated, personalized lessons to enhance players’ swings.

Solution: The development utilized Adobe Flash, which facilitated the breakdown of the swing capture process and its integration into the application. Flash was selected for its ability to deliver rich, interactive content. The captured swing data was combined with a comprehensive database of professional coaching drills and comparisons with top Major League Baseball players. Additionally, the app provided coaches with a telestration tool to further refine players’ techniques.

Learnings: Despite Adobe Flash’s limitations, extensive ActionScript coding enabled the creation of a highly innovative tool for baseball swing analysis at the time.

Results: The tool’s demonstration at U.S. trade shows led to significant retail interest, resulting in widespread distribution and endorsements from major league players like Hideaki Matsui and Alex Rodriguez. This success culminated in the acquisition of the company, marking a notable achievement in sports technology.