Charles Gruss Game Design

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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

I worked on the game as a Lead Game Designer, joining the team two years after the launch of the game.

systems & economy

• Designed a time-limited car trial system enabling players to test vehicles before purchase, directly contributing to an increase in conversion rate
• Designed a part recycling system ensuring all rewards held meaningful value for players, positively impacting core game KPIs
• Improved player retention by redesigning the post-race loss experience to reduce frustration and re-engage players
• Directed the design of a daily login reward system, driving measurable improvements in player retention
• Oversaw the design of a Driver & Team Principal progression system, introducing new character-driven upgrade paths for player vehicles
• Oversaw the UX redesign of the Main Menu, Career Mode, and Seasonal Events Leaderboards, aligning all modes with high usability standards

leadership & production

• Partnered with the Executive Producer to define and prioritize roadmap initiatives, with a focus on improving core game KPIs
• Strengthened the feature development cycle by integrating QA from the kick-off phase, resulting in higher overall game quality
• Partnered with Production to plan and structure design sprints, ensuring smooth team execution
• Led the Game Design team to consistently ship live content updates every 6–8 weeks, alongside one major seasonal update per year
• Provided design feedback and validation across the team’s output, ensuring alignment with creative vision and production budget constraints