Matthew Lopez

About

Game designer with experience at Snail Games USA and on Aquatica, owning end-to-end gameplay features from concept/spec through UE5 implementation and tuning. Built high-stakes endgame content (a low-visibility, high-loot PvP/PvE zone with a raid boss) and collaborated on a networked weapon crafting system with attachment sockets and UI/visual design, iterating via internal playtests and live balance changes.

Key Strengths

• Owned end-to-end design and tuning of a high-risk/high-reward endgame zone (pseudo-extraction) in Atlas
• Iterated content based on playtests (added island + raid boss; tuned NPC ship difficulty)
• Rapid prototyping and iteration of a weapon crafting system from design doc to in-engine/networked implementation (~3 weeks)
• Strong cross-functional execution: wrote specs, partnered with engineers, and adjusted UI/assets/object references in engine
• Diagnosed and drove fixes for networking/visual propagation issues with weapon attachments
• Shipped/implemented boss encounters including stats, behaviors, attacks, animations, and AI logic under tight timelines
• Practical live balance decision-making (nerfed overpowered faction weapon; rebalanced other faction bonuses to protect meta health)

Reference Highlights

• Consistently delivered quality results
• Strong planning and strategic thinking for player clarity
• Designed player-favorite boss battle (lava serpent)
• Highly proficient in Unreal Engine (UE4/UE5)
• Fast-paced adaptability and quick thinking
• Helped avoid feedback loops under tight deadlines
• Organized; clear and implementable documentation
• Effective handoffs due to clear specs/spreadsheets
• Strong cross-functional collaboration
• Clear communication
• Willing to help wherever needed
• Player-focused; ensured features were fun
• Designed progression/reward features that players raved about
• Used data/metrics effectively to guide changes