STEVE VATKOV

My Story

​Hello! I am a passionate and dedicated Game Designer with a diverse background in the gaming industry, most recently contributing to the success of Blackbird Interactive Inc.

My journey began as a New Media student at Ryerson University, where I truly fell in love with the idea of games as art. I wanted to explore the connection players could have with video games as an interactive experience, and I sought to explore that across each and every art piece created through my 4 years there. Indie Games matured during my time as a student, and I realized the beauty in the psychology a piece of art as interactive as games could craft such amazing experiences for players.

I later ventured into game and level design at Stitch Media (Rival Books of Aster) and later Qublix Games, where I crafted hundreds of levels for free-to-play mobile puzzle games. This role allowed me to analyze user feedback and data metrics, refining my ability to balance levels and design based on key performance indicators.

As a Unity Developer/Designer at Frolic Labs, I took on the responsibility of ideating, iterating, and finalizing level design for the Dune Sea. Through extensive play-testing and collaboration with programmers and designers, I ensured the creation of a unique and satisfying meditative gameplay experience.

At Blackbird Interactive, I applied and skyrocketed my developing design skills, crafting innovative gameplay systems for acclaimed titles such as Hardspace: Shipbreaker and Homeworld 3. I specialize in designing and iterating on core gameplay and multiplayer systems, achieving balance through data-driven insights for a fair and satisfying player experience.

Taking end-to-end ownership, I have improved console design feature sets across 3Cs (Camera, Character, Controls), collaborating seamlessly with internal and external stakeholders. At Blackbird, I could finally use my knowledge of player psychology in a way that enhanced player interaction with games, cemented my pursuit for the nuance in which control can dictate a player's immersion.

Through this journey, my goal became ever clear: to skillfully create experiences that have left a lasting impact on me, contributing to the person I have become today.

EDUCATION