Competitive Design Research

I analysed competitive games to identify the principles that support mastery, strategic depth, counterplay, readability, and long-term engagement.

This research became the foundation for the practical work, allowing each design decision to be evaluated within a competitive environment rather than as an isolated mechanic.

Champion & Systems Design

I designed three original League of Legends champions, each built around a distinct gameplay identity.

Kairen combines ranged control with an aggressive melee transformation. Blup is an AP jungler focused on controlling and transforming territory. Mantaya is an adaptive top-lane assassin whose abilities evolve throughout each match and whose mechanics revolve around consuming allied minions to build a larval army.

For each champion, I defined their gameplay loop, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, counterplay, progression, and thematic identity.

Competitive Level Design

I designed a complete Valorant map from initial concept and research through planning, 2D layout, blockout, testing, iteration, and presentation.

The design focused on player flow, rotations, sightlines, objective access, chokepoints, elevation, and creating meaningful tactical options for both teams.

Outcome

The project allowed me to apply competitive design principles across very different disciplines, exploring how characters, systems, abilities, and spaces interact to create strategic and readable gameplay.

It became one of my most complete design exercises, combining research, documentation, systems design, champion design, and level design within a single project.