Svea K. Eppler

svea.eppler@gmail.com
c: 267-699-8625

Technical Skills

• Concept & Design Documentation
• Game Flow & Level Planning
• Game Balance • System Design 
• Monetization & Compulsion Loops
• UI & Menu Design
• BSP Construction • Optimization
• 3D Modeling (3DSMax, Maya)
• Scripting (Kismet, LUA)
• Rapid Prototyping

Unity, UnrealEd (UT3), Source SDK, TES Construction Kit, Unity, 3D Studio Max, Maya, Adobe (Photoshop, Premiere), Microsoft Office

Work Experience

Associate Designer II, Griptonite Games, Kirkland, WA                                                                             May 2010 – Present

Unannounced Title I (iOS)
Worked with a team of 10+ people to implement an original combat title to the iOS platform.

Unannounced Title II (iOS - BETA)
Worked with a team of 12+ people to prototype an original casual title to the iOS platform. 

Unannounced Title III (Console - RTM)
Worked with a team of 7+ people to implement an established children’s IP to console. Reviewed and implemented prototype and whitebox levels to fit game design document specifications. Scripted 5 levels of the game. Updated script changes as requested by publisher. Created appropriate documentation, play tested and made gameplay suggestions and bug fixes as necessary.

Gameplay Scripting: 70%
Documentation: 15%
Additional Responsibilities: 15%     

Kung Fu Panda 2 (Kinect, Wii, and PS3)
Worked with a team of 30+ people to design and develop Kung Fu Panda 2 across multiple SKUs. Wrote LDD’s and whiteboxed 13 levels of the game including final Boss fight. Scripted and maintained 8 levels of the game. Created and maintained over 20 cutscenes shared across all SKU’s. Updated scheduling documentation at appropriate intervals, play tested game throughout production process, compiled and maintained assorted lists (assets, FX, checklists, etc).

Design Concept/Whitebox (13 levels): 10%
Gameplay Scripting (8 levels): 40%
Cutscene Creation (20 cutscenes): 15%
Documentation: 15%
Additional Responsibilities: 15%

Project Manager (contract), 2010 Indie Game Challenge, Plano, TX                                                 Aug 2009 – March 2010
Collaborated with team to oversee and process physical contest submissions. Created submissions tracking system based on physical and electronic submissions data. Managed employees to confirm game submissions installation, testing, and redistribution. Provided help desk support via email and telephone. Maintained project FTP (data hosting) and USPS/Fedex (shipping) account. Generated project reporting including statistics, budgetary items, and timelines.

Research Assistant (contract), Guildhall at SMU, Plano, TX                                                                     June 2009 – July 2009
Worked with Faculty supervision to create preliminary study of Campus Modeling Project. Modeled, textured and created hypertext content of SMU Plano campus for Google Earth. Performed preliminary testing and project cost analysis for a SMU Dallas campus model project

Laboratory Tester (contract), Guildhall at SMU, Plano, TX                                                                       June 2008 – July 2008
Worked with team under Faculty supervision to set up PC Gaming Alliance test laboratory. Tested performance of game software on a variety of different hardware and software configurations. Organized test results, identified hardware problems, and standardized equipment for testing stations.

Individual Game Experience

Content Designer, Strange Occurrences, Oblivion Master's Thesis project                                           Dec 2008 –May 2009

Compared linear and open ended quest content in the Oblivion role play environment. Designed and built two distinct quest lines within the same game environment. Collected data to test hypothesis for both quest lines.

Research: 40%
Design/Implementation of Theory: 30%
Testing Theory: 15% 
Writing: 15%

Education

Master of Interactive Technology, specialization in Level Design                                                           May 2009
The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University, Plano, TX  

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honors), specialization in Interrelated Media                                                     June 2005
Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, MA                                                                                     

Honors & Awards

Co-producer, Organization of the Year, “Crashing the Party”                                                                       2005
Boston Independent Media Center, Cambridge Community Television

Co-producer, 3rd Place News and Events Coverage, “Crashing the Party”                                                 2004
7th Annual New England Regional Video Festival, Alliance for Community Media