Nikita Kotter: Crafting Strategic Depth in Tower Defense Games

NIKITA KOTTER GAME DESIGNER PORTFOLIO EXPERIMENTS ABOUT RESUME RECOMMATIONS

Strategic Depth: A Realistic Tower Defense Game

I am Nikita Kotter, a seasoned game designer with hands-on experience in Unity and a history of contributing to the gaming industry. As an innovative strategist focused on resolving common User Experience UX challenges faced by novice and experienced players alike, I have successfully designed and implemented Strategic Deptha tower defense war game that provides depth grounded in realism.

Project Overview:

Strategic Depth is a tower defense game set during World War II with a focus on open maps, supply lines, lines of sight, resource management, and more. The core challenge was to create an experience that felt both realistic and accessible while addressing the inherent complexities often found in Real-Time Strategy RTS games.

Project Challenges Solutions:

1. Realism vs Fun Gameplay: To tackle this, we embarked on extensive research and design iterations focusing on creating a balance between historical accuracy and engaging gameplay mechanics. We incorporated features like a realistic line of sight system based on elevation levels and obstacles to ensure players feel both the tension and logic in strategic placement.

2. Collaborative Gameplay for All Levels: We integrated a player-driven objective system where designating a town as headquarters for defense is the goal. This not only added depth but also allowed for collaborative play across skill levels, ensuring that even novices could enjoy the game without feeling overwhelmed by complex strategies initially.

3. Simplicity Over Complexity: Our approach was to minimize macros, shortcuts, and nested information, focusing on putting every action at the player’s fingertips. This streamlined experience reduces learning barriers while mntning strategic depth for advanced players.

Development Process:

• Prototype Iteration: We developed five prototypes to test assumptions and refine the gameplay mechanics, ensuring that each iteration built upon the last with improvements and adjustments based on playtesting feedback.

• Rigorous Testing Redesign: Over a 7-month development cycle, Strategic Depth underwent numerous redesigns 3 full overhauls of its UIUX and visuals. This process allowed us to address issues dynamically without constrnts and make data-driven decisions.

• Polishing Optimization: The final two months were dedicated to balancing the game’s interface, optimizing user flow, and fine-tuning gameplay mechanics for a polished experience that is both enjoyable and challenging.

Project Highlights:

Strategic Depth evolved significantly from its initial prototype stages to its current state as an immersive tower defense game. Key features include:

• Realistic Gameplay Mechanics: Incorporating detled environmental factors like elevation affecting line of sight adds depth without sacrificing gameplay accessibility.

• Shared Resource Management: Players can designate towns as headquarters for defense, distributing resources strategically across the map while battling agnst opponents.

• Accessible Collaborative Experience: Ensures that both new and experienced players can enjoy teamwork-based strategies without being intimidated by complex mechanics.

In , Strategic Depth represents a significant milestone in my career, showcasing my ability to balance innovation with practical gameplay solutions. Through rigorous testing and design iterations, I’ve proven my capacity to create experiences that the gaming community while staying grounded in the principles of real-time strategy games.

For further detls or inquiries about this project and how it aligns with your objectives, please feel free to contact me: LinkedInPortfolio Link
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