Available to hire
Hi there! I’m Marcus Tan Zhi Rong, a game designer with 6+ years of proven experience in mobile and live-ops design, systems architecture, and team leadership. I specialize in crafting engaging character progression, economy systems, and retention features that balance player satisfaction with business goals. I love turning complex ideas into clear, polished experiences that players enjoy and studios can monetize.
I blend deep technical know-how (Unity/Unreal, data structures) with creative storytelling and visual design to deliver impactful game experiences across platforms. I thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy guiding cross-functional teams from concept to ship.
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Solo Game Developer at Tanzri Studios (Self-Employed)
November 1, 2025 - PresentDesign, develop, publish and market multiple games, leveraging past knowledge to sharpen skills and explore different game genres; responsible for end-to-end development, distribution, and market testing.
Solo Game Developer at Tanzri Studios
November 1, 2025 - PresentDesigned, developed, published and marketed multiple games based on past knowledge to further enhance skills and experience, while testing market viability across different game genres.
Game Designer at ONEMT
July 1, 2024 - November 1, 2025In charge of planning and designing a diverse roster of heroes and hostiles, focusing on unique visual identities and synergistic skills to enhance gameplay immersion and monetization potential. Designed detailed UI/UX wireframes, mockups, and comprehensive feature specifications to streamline artist and developer workflows. Designed Excel-based data structures for character attributes, game economy, and features, enabling efficient and error-free code implementation.
Game Designer at ONE MT (Singapore)
July 1, 2024 - November 1, 2025Led planning and design of a diverse roster of heroes and hostiles, focusing on unique visual identities and synergistic skills to boost immersion and monetization. Created detailed UI/UX wireframes, mockups, and feature specifications to streamline artist and developer workflows. Built Excel-based data structures for character attributes, economy, and features to enable efficient, error-free implementation.
Game Designer at Firerock Capital
July 1, 2024 - October 3, 2025In-charge of planning game events focused on user acquisition and player retention. Designed and optimized several game features to improve player experience. Created Excel-based tools to increase efficiency for data manipulation. Created design documentation with UI/UX flow charts and logic flows for programmers.
Game Designer at ONEMT Singapore
July 1, 2024 - PresentIn-charge of planning and designing different characters from heroes to hostiles. Focused on characters’ varied visuals and skills to increase immersion and monetization. Designed UI wireframes and feature specifications for ease of artist conceptualization. Planned and discussed Excel data structure for easier code implementation.
Game Designer at Fire Rock Capital
July 1, 2024 - October 3, 2025In-charge of planning game events focusing on user acquisition and player retention. Designed and optimized several game features to improve player experience. Created Excel-based tools to increase data manipulation efficiency. Prepared design documentation with UI/UX flow charts and logic flows for programmers.
Game Designer at ONE MT Singapore
July 1, 2024 - PresentIn charge of planning and designing different characters from heroes to hostiles, focusing on visuals and skills to increase immersion and monetization. Designed UI wireframes and feature specifications for easier artist conceptualization. Planned and discussed data structures for easier code implementation.
Game Designer at FireRock Capital
September 1, 2023 - July 1, 2024Designed and executed live-ops events and game features aimed at boosting user acquisition and improving long-term retention. Optimized core game features based on player feedback and data analysis, leading to smoother and more engaging player experiences. Authored design documentation with detailed UI/UX wireframes and logic flows. Developed internal Excel-based tools that automated data tasks, increasing team efficiency. Achievements include the game reaching over 100K downloads with 4.8 stars from 9K+ reviews and live-ops increasing retention by over 50%.
Game Designer at Game Reign Pte. Ltd.
August 1, 2023 - October 3, 2025Led a team of 4 to design and develop rapid gameplay prototypes. Designed game ideas, programmed prototype, coordinated and assigned tasks. Created the initial concept of the Game Reign Company Logo. Presented and proposed ideas with emotional connections to further enhance immersion. Designed mechanics focusing on uniqueness and fun factor to increase replayability. Interviewed and assessed several candidates for designer positions.
Game Designer at Game Realm Pte. Ltd.
August 1, 2023 - October 3, 2025Led a team of 4 to design and develop rapid gameplay prototypes. Designed game ideas, programmed prototypes, coordinated and assigned tasks. Created initial concept of the Game Realm Company Logo. Presented and proposed ideas with emotional connections to further enhance immersion. Designed mechanics focusing on uniqueness and fun factor, to increase replayability. Interviewed and assessed several candidates for designer positions.
Freelance UI/UX Designer at Various Clients
July 1, 2022 - PresentResearched potential users, designed wireframes, mockups and prototypes for various app and website types according to client needs.
Freelance UI/UX Designer at Multiple Clients
July 1, 2022 - PresentResearched potential users; designed wireframes, mockups and prototypes for various types of apps and websites depending on client needs.
Freelance UI/UX Designer at Freelance / Self-Employed
July 1, 2022 - PresentResearched potential users, designed wireframes, mockups and prototypes for various types of apps and websites depending on client needs.
Freelance Video Editor at Various Clients
May 1, 2022 - PresentCreated and edited videos ranging from animated educational content to promotional material for social media, based on client briefs.
Freelance Video Editor at Multiple Clients
May 1, 2022 - PresentCreated and edited various types of videos ranging from animated educational videos to promotional videos for social media based on client brief.
Freelance Video Editor at Freelance / Self-Employed
May 1, 2022 - PresentCreated and edited various video types ranging from animated educational videos to promotional videos for social media based on client briefs.
Game Designer at Game Reign
June 1, 2021 - August 1, 2023Led a team of 4 designers in rapid prototyping, including task assignment, sprint planning, and design reviews, delivering multiple gameplay prototypes for upcoming games. Pioneered game mechanics focused on emotional connection and high replayability, presenting concepts to stakeholders to secure project buy-in. Established the company’s visual identity by creating the initial concept for the Game Reign logo. Contributed to hiring by interviewing and assessing candidates for design positions.
Game Designer at Gumi Asia Pte. Ltd.
May 1, 2021 - October 3, 2025Project: The Alchemist Code. Managed a team of 5 for live operations via task assigning, guiding, and design review. In-charge of planning in-game events (JP and Global), and general live ops. Improved and maintained high Daily Active Users (DAU) and player retention. Created Excel-based tools and documentation to help increase efficiency for daily live ops. Designed new global exclusive playable characters with a unique gameplay style. Applied level design balancing techniques to create fun new global game levels. Worked on different parts of the game: Levels, Missions, 2D Cutscenes, Gacha and Units.
Game Designer Intern at Gumi Asia Pte. Ltd.
May 1, 2021 - October 3, 2025Assisted design tasks and contributed to live ops; supported design documentation and prototype development; collaborated with team to deliver engaging features.
Game Designer at Gumi Asia Pte. Ltd.
May 1, 2021 - October 3, 2025Managed a team of 5 for live operations via task assigning, guiding, and design review. In-charge of planning in-game events (JP and Global), and general live ops. Improved and maintained a high Daily Active Users (DAU) and player retention. Created Excel-based tools and docs to help increase efficiency for daily live ops. Designed new global exclusive playable characters with a unique gameplay style. Applied level design balancing and techniques to create fun new global game levels. Worked on different parts of the game: Levels, Missions, 2D Cutscenes, Gacha and Units.
Game Designer at Gumi Asia
December 1, 2018 - May 1, 2021Led a 5-person live-ops team; assigned tasks, guided junior designers, and conducted design reviews to ensure high-quality event delivery. End-to-end design of in-game events for JP and Global versions, contributing to sustained high DAU and player retention. Designed global-exclusive playable characters with unique gameplay styles and balanced new game levels using advanced level design techniques. Achievements include increased global player retention due to successful live-ops, global-exclusive events and characters; players praised improvements to the global version’s events and engagement.
Game Designer Intern at Gumi Asia Pte. Ltd.
December 1, 2018 - October 3, 2025Project: The Alchemist Code. May 2018 – Dec 2018. Involved in live operations and event planning; contributed to balancing and feature iterations; collaborated on 2D cutscenes, levels, and units.
Game Design Intern at Gumi Asia
May 1, 2018 - December 1, 2018In-charge end-to-end design of in-game events for JP and Global versions; contributed to global playable characters with unique gameplay styles; created design documentation and event flows for streamlined implementations; collaborated with multiple teams on various projects.
3D Designer at Singapore Polytechnic - SIT @ POLY
April 1, 2012 - October 3, 2025In-charge of Republic Polytechnic fly-through video within the SIT @ POLY project. Established the main frame and idea behind the fly-through with the creative director. Applied color theory, real world scenarios, and spatial techniques to enhance immersion. Recognized and approved by the President of SIT. Project included various client-based projects: designed, modeled, and textured 3D assets; incorporated client feedback to adjust assets.
3D Designer at Singapore Polytechnic - Game Research Centre
April 1, 2012 - October 3, 2025In-charge of Republic Polytechnic fly-through video; established main frame and idea behind the fly-through with the creative director. Applied color theory, real world scenarios, and spatial techniques to enhance immersion. Recognized and approved by the President of SIT.
3D Designer at Game Research Centre
February 1, 2012 - April 1, 2012In-charge of the Republic Polytechnic fly-through video SIT@POLY project. Established the main frame and idea behind the fly-through with applied color theory, real-world scenarios, and spatial techniques to enhance immersion. Designed, modeled, and textured 3D assets for several client-based projects. Communicated and managed various clients across different projects. Achievements include recognition by the President of SIT and the design basis used for SIT’s Singapore campus build.
Badminton Team - Vice-Captain at Hougang Secondary School Badminton Team
December 31, 2008 - October 3, 2025Led a group of 8 school team members to various competitions. Ensured hydration and fatigue management. Coached junior members of the badminton CCA and ensured there were no outlying problems with their performance.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Games Design at Digipen Institute of Technology (Singapore)
April 1, 2010 - March 1, 2013Diploma in Games Design & Development at Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
April 1, 2010 - March 1, 2013Bachelor of Arts in Games Design at DigiPen Institute of Technology (Singapore)
April 1, 2010 - March 1, 2013Diploma in Games Design & Development at Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
April 1, 2010 - March 1, 2013Diploma in Games Design & Development at Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
April 1, 2010 - March 1, 2013Bachelor of Arts in Games Design at DigiPen Institute of Technology (Singapore)
August 1, 2015 - October 1, 2018Google UX Design Professional Certificate at Google (Coursera)
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Microsoft UX Design Professional Certificate at Microsoft
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Figma, Sketch & Miro for UX Design Professional Certificate at Design Tools Course
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026IBM UI/UX Designer Professional Certificate at IBM
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Google UX Design Professional Certificate; Microsoft UX Design Professional Certificate; Figma, Sketch & Miro for UX Design Professional Certificate; IBM UI/UX Designer Professional Certificate at Coursera
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Bachelor of Arts in Games Design at Digipen Institute of Technology (Singapore)
August 1, 2015 - October 1, 2018Diploma in Games Design & Development at Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
April 1, 2010 - March 1, 2013Bachelor of Arts in Games Design at DigiPen Institute of Technology (Singapore)
August 1, 2015 - October 1, 2018Diploma in Games Design & Development at Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
April 1, 2010 - March 1, 2013Google UX Design Professional Certificate at Google
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Microsoft UX Design Professional Certificate at Microsoft
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Figma, Sketch & Miro for UX Design Professional Certificate at Various Providers
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026IBM UI/UX Designer Professional Certificate at IBM
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Qualifications
Dean's Honor List (Digipen) 2015 Fall
September 1, 2015 - October 3, 2025Cum Laude (Top 3 of Class Cohort)
January 11, 2030 - October 3, 2025Dean's Honor List
September 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015Cum Laude (3rd Honor) - Top 3 of Class Cohort
September 1, 2015 - October 3, 2025Google UX Design Professional Certificate
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Microsoft UX Design Professional Certificate
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Figma, Sketch & Miro for UX Design Professional Certificate
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026IBM UI/UX Designer Professional Certificate
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Google UX Design Professional Certificate
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Microsoft UX Design Professional Certificate
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Figma, Sketch & Miro for UX Design Professional Certificate
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026IBM UI/UX Designer Professional Certificate
May 1, 2025 - March 12, 2026Industry Experience
Gaming, Software & Internet, Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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