As Creative Director, I learned to balance my role as the vision holder while navigating team dynamics and fostering collaboration. Establishing a clear chain of command for processing feedback was essential, as were town hall meetings where team members could share ideas for potential implementation. I made it a priority to be present, offering direct, over-the-shoulder feedback to keep the team aligned and motivated.

While providing the necessary feedback to iterate on, honing in on combat feel was something I particularly focused on. Once a good base for how the player should move and feel we spent several sprints getting the combat just right for our first playable character. Each level came with its own playable character and unique challenges to overcome to make the characters fit thematically and feel different.

Having the unique opportunity to shape the game from its initial concept, I was able to define the first combat space and establish the core tone and pacing of the experience. During pre-production, I crafted core mechanics and design ideas, which I then carried into the first level to refine and validate.

This hands-on process allowed me to hone the feel and direction of the game, ensuring a cohesive vision moving forward. I began by designing the initial combat space in 2D using Photoshop, then transitioned to whiteboxing in 3D to test and iterate on the design. This iterative approach was pivotal in validating my choices and ensuring the space aligned with the game’s vision.

Once the foundation was solidified, I handed off the first level to other designers, providing clear direction and documentation. This process became a building block for the rest of the project, setting a standard for quality and collaboration across the team.