Rachel Downey

About

Game economy/progression designer with hands-on ownership of end-to-end systems and live-ops tuning on major mobile titles (Star Trek Fleet Command, Marvel Contest of Champions). Builds spreadsheet-based simulations and telemetry-driven tuning loops to prevent inflation and reduce progression friction, including a multi-iteration optimization that lifted D7 retention ~7% while maintaining monetization targets.

Experience

Education

Key Strengths

• Owned end-to-end economy/progression systems (research tree with unique currencies, sources/sinks, gates, seasonal extensibility)
• Data-driven balancing using risk assessments and spreadsheet models to prevent unintended progression impacts
• Built progression simulations forecasting long-term inflation risk (6–12 months) and tuned currencies accordingly
• Iterative live tuning using telemetry + playtests; improved D7 retention ~7% while keeping monetization within targets (Marvel Contest of Champions)
• Diagnosed midgame friction with quantified signals (upgrade time 1→4 sessions; 42% hitting Tier 4 currency wall) and reduced stalling nearly 50%
• Strong cross-functional communication: economy briefs with assumptions, projections, drop-rate sims, and risk mitigation; shipped changes as measurable experiments under constraints

Reference Highlights

• strong understanding of the economy problem space
• clean, well-organized tuning documentation
• well-structured and logical tuning sheets
• appropriate pacing decisions (accelerated leveling without harming early ARPU or trivializing difficulty)
• data-informed approach using both high-level KPIs and granular progression metrics
• monitored outcomes after implementation to validate impact
• clear and effective communication with analytics (explained the 'why' behind data requests)
• grew quickly in understanding progression pacing and player motivation
• able to operate effectively and fairly independently by the end of tenure
• Successfully owned a major, complex research tree addition
• Handled complex tuning well
• Proactively sought support and expert input early and often
• Strong prioritization of product goals (F2P and high-spend value)
• Clear, player-friendly communication of benefits and progression value
• Strong quantitative modeling skills (spreadsheets and simulations)
• Balanced mathematical targets with in-game player experience
• Worked closely with economy owners to evaluate loop impacts
• Smart structuring of progression into rarity/premium tracks
• Effective playtest leadership and ability to explain/defend design decisions
• Iterative improvement through many small tuning decisions
• Strong grasp of reward loops, pacing, and player motivation
• Understood relationship between price and time-to-earn in F2P vs premium
• Balanced immediate reward satisfaction with long-term economic needs
• Avoided negative impact on long-term project goals