Hi, I’m Ali Shafiq, a Senior Game Designer with a passion for crafting engaging gameplay, progression, and in-game economies. I leverage a mix of creativity and analytics to build systems that feel rewarding and intuitive for players, with a focus on live-service and indie titles. I prototype directly in-engine (Unity and Unreal), iterate through playtests, and use data to drive balance and retention. When I’m not shaping gameplay systems, I enjoy collaborative storytelling, optimizing player journeys, and blending design with psychology to deliver fun, repeatable experiences.…

Ali Shafiq

Hi, I’m Ali Shafiq, a Senior Game Designer with a passion for crafting engaging gameplay, progression, and in-game economies. I leverage a mix of creativity and analytics to build systems that feel rewarding and intuitive for players, with a focus on live-service and indie titles. I prototype directly in-engine (Unity and Unreal), iterate through playtests, and use data to drive balance and retention. When I’m not shaping gameplay systems, I enjoy collaborative storytelling, optimizing player journeys, and blending design with psychology to deliver fun, repeatable experiences.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Ali Shafiq, a Senior Game Designer with a passion for crafting engaging gameplay, progression, and in-game economies. I leverage a mix of creativity and analytics to build systems that feel rewarding and intuitive for players, with a focus on live-service and indie titles. I prototype directly in-engine (Unity and Unreal), iterate through playtests, and use data to drive balance and retention.

When I’m not shaping gameplay systems, I enjoy collaborative storytelling, optimizing player journeys, and blending design with psychology to deliver fun, repeatable experiences.

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Skills

Experience Level

Game Design
Expert
Unity
Expert
Unreal Engine 4
Expert
C#
Expert
Microsoft Excel
Expert
C++
Expert
3D Model
Expert
3D Animation
Expert
Adobe Photoshop
Expert
Data Visualization
Intermediate
Figma
Intermediate
Python
Intermediate
Substance Painter
Intermediate
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Language

English
Fluent
Urdu
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Beginner

Work Experience

Game Developer at Plasma IT Solutions
May 12, 2021 - December 3, 2021
Focusing on mobile games with an emphasis on new content development and optimization. I contributed to implementing gameplay features, integrating assets with designers and artists, and refining performance and balance to enhance overall player experience.
Lead Game Designer at Orbit Cosmos
February 1, 2025 - February 1, 2025
Led the game design for two titles: a mafia-themed Open-World Multiplayer game (Omerta) and a Battle Royale game (Pika Royale). Overseen & designed the combat mechanics, in-game economies, and gameplay & progression systems for both projects. Applied data-driven balancing techniques using Machinations, Excel, and playtest feedback; defined variants to refine engagement and retention. Planned and evaluated A/B tests to iterate on gameplay & balancing. Led level design for multiple environments from early blockouts to detailed level design and documentation that guided art, environment, and other level designers. Collaborated with developers, animators, and writers to integrate narrative context and assets into gameplay systems.
Game Designer at Articares
June 1, 2023 - June 1, 2023
Designed and balanced gameplay foundations for new mobile games, including gameplay systems, progression systems, monetization systems, and initial level design.
Game Designer (Freelance/Contract) at Little Logic Games
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023
Self-taught focused on game design along with game development using Unity and Unreal Engine. Self-taught across multiple disciplines to better support my work in game design, including 3D modeling, sound, narrative, and cinematic composition.

Education

Add your educational history here.

Qualifications

Unity Certified Game Development
September 12, 2025 - September 12, 2025

Industry Experience

Gaming, Media & Entertainment
    uniE608 The Last Marine
    The Last Marine is a solo and personal project. It is a first-person shooter and psychological horror game, blending elements of Souls-like gameplay with an immersive narrative. The story follows a Marine who awakens with no memory on a station located on an unknown alien planet, where he discovers he is the only survivor, relentlessly hunted by terrifying creatures. As he fights to survive and escape, the Marine’s grip on reality begins to falter, and he struggles with the onset of psychological trauma, questioning what is real and what is a product of his mind. The game offers players a fully dynamic and customizable experience, with a gun modification system that allows them to tailor weapons, such as transforming a semi-automatic rifle into a fully automatic shotgun. Set in an open but slightly linear environment, The Last Marine encourages exploration at the player’s pace, while featuring intense combat with enemies that challenge their skills. The game also tackles deeper themes, such as loneliness and mental health, providing a compelling narrative and engaging gameplay mechanics.…
    paper OMERTA

    OMERTA is an AAA mafia-inspired crime-action game set in the ruthless open-world metropolis of Brookton. Players navigate a city controlled by five underworld cartels, building their influence, assets, and empire through immersive storytelling and dynamic gameplay. Featuring cinematic sequences and powered by Unreal Engine, OMERTA offers stunning visuals and a compelling narrative experience.

    • Designing the core gameplay systems tailored to align with the mafia-inspired theme.
    • Designing multiplayer systems integrated into the open world, focusing on player interaction and engagement.
    • Creating and balancing combat mechanics, in-game economies, and progression systems to ensure a fun gameplay experience.
    • Working on narrative integration with writers to align storytelling with gameplay systems.
    • Collaborating with developers, animators, and artists to ensure assets and features align with the game’s vision.
    • Balancing gameplay using tools such as Machinations and MS Excel, ensuring data-driven decision-making.
    • Leading the level design of the game, including creating blockouts and detailed level design documentation

    Mini-Trailer:
    Website: https://www.omertagame.com