Bolstering Experiences as a Technical Designer

 

MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is a BattleTech mecha game developed by Piranha Games released on December 10, 2019, on Microsoft Windows. It is the first single-player MechWarrior game since 2002. It was initially available as an Epic Games Store (EGS) exclusive title, which, like other games with Epic Games Store exclusivity deals, was met with criticism. On May 7, 2020, it was made available through Xbox Game Pass for PC. On May 27, 2021, it was made available on additional platforms including Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Steam and GOG, in addition to the DLC pack Heroes of the Inner Sphere, Call to Arms, and Rise of Raselhague.

Hired as a Technical Designer, by the Design Director of the project, during their EGS exclusivity phase - with my experience on well-received combat games and technical abilities, my main responsibility would be to target and self-assign critical areas of the game that I had felt required experiential improvements since it’s initial release, and make any changes necessary in preparation for our rerelease Steam and other platforms. While the development team was focused on developing the first DLC, my focus was on making all areas of the game feel awesome, and tie up any lingering design implementations I felt could improve the gameplay experience and accessibility. In collaboration with various Engineers and UX teams, it was an amazing experience being able to target various areas of project I had never experienced before, and immediately see positive receptions.

Responsibilities

Technical Designer

Designed and Implemented Features:

  • New Dropship Start / Spawn / Extract System

  • AI Driven Artillery System

  • In-game Mech-Switching System

  • Player-initiated Airstrike Support System

  • Mission Contract and Support Negotiation System

  • Controls for Gamepad/Console

  • D-Pad Quick-Action System

  • Gamepad Aim-Assist System

  • Gamepad Predictive Projectile Firing System

Feature Improvements:

  • Ground-Infantry NPC System

  • In-Game Map System

  • Black Market System

  • DLC Star Map Connection and Conditions

  • Map + Mission Generators

  • Redesigned New HUD

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Optimization and Bug Fixing

  • Release and Update Stakeholder

  • Discord Moderator

  • Mod Support and Point of Contact

  • User Research Analytics

  • Closed Alpha + Beta Test Controller and Twitch Streamer Support