Game Designer. Writer. Performer.
Murphy Ward
Welcome, and thanks for stopping by! My name is Murphy and I’m a game designer by trade, writer by passion, and I moonlight as a bit of everything else. This site is a landing page for what I’m doing, what I’ve done, and what I hope to do. One of my big goals in 2024 is to start presenting more of my work (even if early) just so I can have a place to showcase. Thanks for bearing with me, and I hope you enjoy learning a bit about what I’m up to!
✓ Creative
✓ Ambitious
✓ Team Player
The Different Hats
“Jack of all trades, master of none is still better than the master of one”
– Somebody Smarter Than Me
I’ve always prided myself on versatility, flexibility, and curiosity. This has led me down a lot of different paths with plenty of dead-ends, but during my travels I’ve acquired invaluable experience that I carry with me with every new venture.
01
Game Designer
I’ve been a professional game designer for 7+ years. I’ve shipped 25+ AA games, mobile games, serious games, research projects, consultation games, and indie games.
02
Writer
Writing has been a passion and a profession. I have written books, screenplays, shorts, and a full length, award-winning musical.
03
Film
Cinema informs everything I do. Aside from being an amateur cinephile, I have directed some shorts, engaged in writers’ rooms, and performed in films.
04
Entrepreneur
I’m always coming up with ideas that I want to pursue someday. Even if I don’t get the chance, these ideas help fuel my work and my ability to connect with others.
Professionally Released Games
Below are a few games that I have released from my time in the industry.
Level Designer
✓ Built 100+ levels
✓ Wrote out extensive documentation
✓ Created IPM Chart for balancing
Obby But You’re On A Bike: Moana 2
As a contractor with Gamefam, one of the premiere studios in the UGC space, I came in and revamped all of their levels to create an engaging, visually stunning experience inspired by Moana 2.
Obby
- Work with IP/Disney
- Studied the Fortnite ecosystem
- Economy Design
Documentation
- IPM Charts
- Internal Proposals
- Smoke Test Documentation
Lead Game Designer
✓ Designed core systems
✓ Worked with publisher
✓ Balanced Abilities & Stats
Pickleball: Smash
“Experience the thrill of Pickleball like never before! Hone your skills in single-player mode or challenge your friends in multi-player fun where every match is a test of skill, strategy, and agility. Get ready to serve, dink, and smash your way to victory in the thrilling world of Pickleball Smash. Can you handle the heat?”
Minigames
- Switch
- Xbox
- Playstation
- Steam
Multiplayer
- Singles
- Doubles
- Motion Mode
Game Designer
✓ Worked on original proposal
✓ Tutored other designers
✓ Balanced minigames
Boardwalk Arcade 2
Boardwalk Arcade 2 is a compilation of classic, arcade games such as skeeball, target practice, and ring toss commonly found at carnivals, theme parks, and boardwalks. Play to win prizes for yourself or compete against your friends in couch co-op. Published by Playworks Partners.
10+ Minigames
- Shooting Gallery
- Whack-A-Mole
- Darts
- Mini-Bowling
Multiplayer
- Tickets
- Prizes
- Motion Mode
- Beautiful Boardwalk
Serious Games
Alongside my work making commercial games, I have also spent time working on educational games.
Programmer / Game Designer
✓ Built cinematics
✓ Designed the HUB ✓ Directed VO
✓ Optimized Game
Mission Hydro-Sci
Explore an alien world as a young, stranded space cadet. Use your knowledge of water science and topography to survive in this dangerous new world.
This was a multi-million dollar grant project that I was able to work on during and directly after receiving my Masters.
10+ Minigames
- Shooting Gallery
- Whack-A-Mole
- Darts
- Mini-Bowling
Multiplayer
- Tickets
- Prizes
- Motion Mode
- Beautiful boardwalk
Indie Games
Currently working on a few projects that I am hoping will be released in 2024.