Lead Game Designer / Systems Architect / Web3 Economy Designer

Brad King

Houston, TX / me@bradking.me

Professional Summary

Game Design Leader and Systems Architect with 20+ years of technology leadership experience and 5+ years leading live game systems, combat architecture, and Web3-integrated economies.

Currently Lead Game Designer at Always Geeky Games, owning the full gameplay ecosystem for Voxie Tactics — a live turn-based tactics title with millions of matches played. Responsible for combat systems, stat frameworks, gear architecture, class balance, matchmaking models, expansion design, and token-based economy balancing.

Combines deep infrastructure and engineering background with high-level systemic design thinking to build scalable, data-driven gameplay ecosystems across PvP, PvE, and experimental prototypes.

Core Competencies

GAME_SYSTEMS

Game Systems & Combat Design

  • Turn-Based Tactical Combat Architecture
  • Stat & Damage Formula Design
  • Class & Role Identity Balancing
  • Equipment & Weapon Ecosystem Design
  • Terrain & Positional Systems
ECONOMY_PROGRESSION

Economy & Progression

  • Web3 Token Economy Integration
  • Sink/Faucet Modeling
  • Reward Structure Design
  • Matchmaking Layering (ELO + Collection Systems)
  • Live Economy Balancing
AI_SYSTEMS

AI & Systems Engineering

  • State-Driven Difficulty Models
  • Director & Threat Systems
  • Spawn Logic & Anti-Exploit Systems
  • Data-Driven Tuning & Meta Monitoring
LEADERSHIP

Leadership & Production

  • Cross-Functional Team Direction
  • Unity Gameplay Data Ownership
  • GDD Authoring & System Specifications
  • Executive Alignment & Strategy Translation
  • Live Ops & Patch Planning

Professional Experience

ALWAYS GEEKY GAMES

Lead Game Designer

2022 – Present

Live Game System Ownership

  • Lead designer and systems architect for Voxie Tactics, a live-service turn-based tactics game with millions of matches played
  • Own full combat framework including turn queue manipulation, movement range and tile constraints, elevation rules, hit/dodge/crit/mitigation formulas, and status effect stacking systems

Stat Model Design

  • Designed and maintain core stat model: HP, MP, STR, DEX, INT, LUCK, Movement with secondary scaling relationships
  • Magic Resist derived from INT; Armor mitigation by category (Light, Medium, Heavy)

Weapons, Gear & Equipment Architecture

  • Architected full equipment ecosystem across 1H/2H melee, ranged physical/magical, and specialty archetypes (Spears, Katanas, Wands, Instruments, Monk Fists)
  • Designed armor identity and resistance frameworks; balance accessory and pet-based tactical modifiers
  • Control stat ceilings and progression scaling to prevent long-term power creep
  • Deliver structured Unity-ready data specifications for all gear and ability systems

Class Balance & Meta Management

  • Balance 10,000+ NFT-based Voxie characters with fixed class archetypes and flexible loadouts
  • Maintain competitive parity across tank, DPS, and support roles in PvP and PvE
  • Tune meta shifts through ability cooldown adjustments, scaling curve recalibration, reward structure changes, and matchmaking bracket tuning
  • Monitor class win-rate variance, gear dominance patterns, ELO distribution trends, and collection score bracket fairness

PvP Architecture & Matchmaking Systems

  • Designed hybrid matchmaking combining ELO progression (500–3000 rating range) with Collection Score-based bracket segmentation
  • Built AI fallback logic to maintain queue health without damaging competitive integrity
  • Structured Titan Arena entry and reward systems including variable buy-in models
  • Balance fairness between legacy NFT holders and new entrants

Web3 Economy Design & Token Balancing

  • Designed and tuned economy systems integrating VOXEL utility token, Blue and Gold Voxite currencies
  • Modeled sink/faucet relationships between PvP, PvE trials, NFT burn mechanics, and Forge crafting
  • Designed probabilistic NFT burn-to-upgrade systems (e.g., 10 Rare → Random Epic with chase odds)
  • Balanced reward motivation without allowing token farming to dominate core gameplay
  • Evaluate inflation risk, retention impact, and ecosystem stability before implementing economic adjustments

Expansion & Ecosystem Development

  • Authored major GDDs: Voxie Quests (async quest & crafting progression), Voxie Royale (idle auto-battle royale), Roguelike survival auto-combat concept, Voxie Chess (chess-first competitive adaptation)
  • Designed progression gating using fragment crafting, artifact chains, and escalating recipe complexity
  • Scale zone difficulty and reward structures across expanding world map

AI & Difficulty Systems

  • Replaced linear time-based scaling with state-driven Threat Meter model
  • Designed Director-style spawn intensity states (LULL → STEADY → SWELL → PEAK)
  • Implemented anti-camping detection and exploration-based boss triggers

Data & Production Ownership

  • Own structured gameplay datasets for abilities, gear stats, crafting recipes, enemy drop tables, and zone progression scaling
  • Produce CSV exports and detailed implementation documentation
  • Serve as bridge between executive leadership, engineering teams, and community
COLLABORATIVE FOR CHILDREN

Director of Technology Development

2020 – 2022
  • Architected Azure-based cloud infrastructure for high-growth digital platforms
  • Led DevOps implementation and deployment scaling
  • Revamped disaster recovery protocols and backup frameworks
  • Directed cybersecurity and data privacy compliance across multi-site operations
C.I. ACTUATION

IT Manager

2018 – 2020 & 2016 – 2017
  • Managed IT operations for 300+ users across 6 remote sites
  • Designed MPLS network infrastructure and facility expansion rollouts
  • Reduced downtime through traffic monitoring and preventive optimization
GREENLEAF WHOLESALE FLORISTS

IT Director

2017 – 2018
  • Directed IT operations across multiple interstate locations
  • Built internal web tools to streamline supply chain visibility
  • Reverse-engineered undocumented proprietary systems and trained staff
DETECHTION TECHNOLOGIES

IT Coordinator & Tech Development

2012 – 2015
  • Managed global SCADA integration for industrial energy assets
  • Coordinated infrastructure stability across US and Australia
TEJANO CENTER FOR COMMUNITY CONCERNS

IT Helpdesk Administrator

2009 – 2012
  • Delivered Tier II technical support and infrastructure troubleshooting

Technical Toolkit

GAME_DEV

Game Development

  • Unity Gameplay Data & Systems
  • Figma (Design Research & Wireframes)
  • AI-Assisted Development (Claude, Codex, Gemini)
  • Structured CSV / Excel Data Modeling
CLOUD_INFRA

Cloud & Infrastructure

  • Azure Cloud Architecture
  • Windows Server Environments
  • Microsoft 365 Enterprise
NETWORKING

Networking & Security

  • MPLS Network Design
  • SCADA Systems Integration
  • Cybersecurity & Compliance
  • Disaster Recovery Planning
WEB_DEV

Web & Production

  • HTML / CSS / JavaScript
  • Web3 Token Integration
  • DevOps & Deployment
  • Technical Documentation
SYS_STATUS NOMINAL
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SECTION CV