I'm Daniel De SantAnna Martins, a senior game designer, futurist, and games educator from Maricá, Brazil. I have over 20 years of experience developing games and gamified solutions for diverse contexts. I apply design thinking, gamification, and instructional design to create engaging, meaningful experiences. I lead multidisciplinary teams, drive product strategy, and mentor students and professionals around the world.

Daniel De SantAnna Martins

I'm Daniel De SantAnna Martins, a senior game designer, futurist, and games educator from Maricá, Brazil. I have over 20 years of experience developing games and gamified solutions for diverse contexts. I apply design thinking, gamification, and instructional design to create engaging, meaningful experiences. I lead multidisciplinary teams, drive product strategy, and mentor students and professionals around the world.

Available to hire

I’m Daniel De SantAnna Martins, a senior game designer, futurist, and games educator from Maricá, Brazil. I have over 20 years of experience developing games and gamified solutions for diverse contexts. I apply design thinking, gamification, and instructional design to create engaging, meaningful experiences. I lead multidisciplinary teams, drive product strategy, and mentor students and professionals around the world.

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Language

Portuguese
Fluent
English
Advanced
French
Beginner

Work Experience

CEO at Self-employed / Personal Brand
January 1, 2014 - Present
Led and managed the company focusing on consultancy and development of games and gamification systems, impacting more than 4 million people in Brazil and abroad.
Lead Game Designer at SIP
July 1, 2025 - Present
Developed game systems, mechanics, and core loops for hybrid (digital and physical) strategy card games, with over 80% approval in playtesting.
Experience and Game Designer at Stemuli
July 1, 2024 - March 1, 2025
Created game systems and core design for hybrid experiences, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-impact solutions.
Senior Game Designer at Facily
January 1, 2022 - April 1, 2022
Led the game development area, built digital game prototypes, conducted user research, tests, and delivered solutions with high client satisfaction.
Lead Game Designer at Ratto Software
August 1, 2013 - December 1, 2015
Led the development of more than ten games from concept to launch using Agile methodologies; designed mechanics, narrative, and balancing.
Innovation Specialist at M JV
June 1, 2022 - October 1, 2022
Led innovation and ESG projects for B2B clients using design thinking, instructional design, futures thinking, and UX/UI methodologies.
Pedagogic Director at Escola 42Rio
October 1, 2021 - November 1, 2022
Managed pedagogical routines, promoted meaningful and inclusive learning environments, and led educational projects with strong impact.
Lead Designer at VTURE
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2021
Created game experiences and led design initiatives across multiple projects, focusing on engaging and high-quality outputs.
Pedagogic Coordinator and Professor at Miami Ad School, Rio de Janeiro
January 1, 2020 - December 1, 2024
Created and coordinated the 'Gamified Realities' specialization, mentoring dozens of students on impactful, award-winning projects.
Pedagogic Coordinator and Professor at CESAR Recife
January 1, 2015 - September 1, 2019
Coordinated pedagogy and taught across digital game design and related applications, contributing to multiple award-winning student projects.

Education

Doctorate in Systems Engineering at UFRJ
June 1, 2024 - March 9, 2026
UX Design Specialization at Google (Remote)
December 1, 2022 - March 9, 2026
Futures Thinking Specialization at IFTF (Remote)
December 1, 2020 - April 1, 2021
Professional Master’s in Design at CESAR School
July 1, 2018 - October 1, 2020
Extension in Ed Techs at UFRJ
August 1, 2017 - October 1, 2017
Specialization in Strategic Design at ESP Rio
July 1, 2009 - December 1, 2010
Extension in Strategy with RPGs at PUC Rio
August 1, 2008 - October 1, 2008
Bachelor’s in Industrial Design at UNESA
July 1, 2002 - December 1, 2007

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Gaming, Software & Internet, Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services