System Design Encounter Design
Marvel Battlelines Nexon · Unity · Strategic Card Battler · Global Release 2018
System Design Encounter Design
Marvel Battlelines Nexon · Unity · Strategic Card Battler · Global Release 2018
Embedded Files
Marvel Battlelines Nexon · Unity · Strategic Card Battler · Global Release 2018
At Nexon, I was a Game System Designer on Marvel Battle Lines, a strategic turn-based card battler — leading PvE Special Ops mode end-to-end, from stage design and difficulty tuning to XP progression and reward economy.
Marvel Battlelines is a turn-based card battler set on a 3x4 grid. Players take turns placing cards on the grid, triggering powerful attacks when forming a line — combining the effects and stats of all cards in that row. With over 300 collectible cards, players build 12-card decks to compete in strategic matches.
As part of a small team (~40), I took lead on the game’s main PvE mode and coordinated directly with Disney/Marvel on IP-related content. I also had the rare opportunity to experience the full lifecycle of a live game — from global launch to sunset.
Main Role
Main Role
• Led systems design and balancing for the PvE "Special Ops" mode across 80+ stages of escalating difficulty.
• Designed and tuned XP progression curves, reward economy, and content pacing — owning the full systems stack from formula to live tuning.
• Worked directly with Marvel/Disney to align content with established lore and narrative direction.
Designing the Special Ops stages
Designing the Special Ops stages
▶ Multi-Objective Gameplay & Reward System
▶ Multi-Objective Gameplay & Reward System
Each stage was structured around three distinct, independently achievable objectives to maximize replayability and tactical variation.
I also led the tuning of stage rewards and progression pacing — balancing XP distribution across content tiers, adjusting level curves as new stages were introduced, and scaling rewards based on difficulty and player growth. These systems were rigorously iterated using spreadsheet models and custom formulas to ensure consistency and long-term retention.
Tactical Level Design ◀
Tactical Level Design ◀
Each battlefield was crafted to present a tactical challenge, using a fixed deck of cards (inspired by Hearthstone’s Puzzle Lab).
Card placement triggers both individual abilities and interactions with surrounding cards, encouraging players to experiment, discover synergies, and develop a deeper understanding of card mechanics and strategic play.
.
.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse