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Ken
Koontz

Game Designer

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Product Manager

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Coach

Koontz Interactive icon logo

I help really cool people craft really cool experiences that leave a real impact on the world.

Converting customer needs into actionable strategies and useful experiences is a collaborative process of discovery, often across multiple disciplines, that require clear and precise specifications, empathic communication and the occasional "poking at things".​

More than just games...

With a genuine commitment to excellence, I want to help us all leave the world a little better than we found it.

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Services

SERVICES

Cool solutions that spark positive behavioral change

a screenshot from the kart racing minigame of FreeRealms online
a screenshot from the kart racing minigame of FreeRealms online

​AWARD-WINNING GAME DESIGNER IN APPLIED GAMES

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SPECIALIZED IN CREATING IMMERSIVE & ENGAGING EXPERIENCES​​

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3D ARTIST
VISUAL STORYTELLER
WORLD  BUILDER
 

GAME DESIGN

an image of wireframing in UX/UI design
a screenshot from the kart racing minigame of FreeRealms online

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

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TEST MARKET RESEARCH

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UX/UI EXPERIENCE

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INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM LEADERSHIP

PRODUCT FOCUS

an image of Ken Koontz giving a design workshop to students
a screenshot from the kart racing minigame of FreeRealms online

INDIVIDUAL / TEAM WORKSHOPS

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MENTORSHIP

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PRIVATE CONSULTANCY*​

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NATURAL PROBLEM-SOLVER

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*CONFIDENTIAL SERVICES

COACHING

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EXPERIENCE

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three whiteboard magnets in the background

2013-2016

Tempe, AZ

Art Director - Dept. of Psychology​

Asked to improve the appeal and user engagement of the games under development at the Embodied Games Lab, including but not limited to the Alien Health game.  Consequently, EGL won multiple innovation grant competitions and awards at local and national levels.

2022-present

​Remote 

Creative Director​​

Co-designing an interdisciplinary project toolkit: Bloombox. Analyzing and synthesizing a near decade of GEMH Lab work into process tools to help innovators bridge the gap between science and design.

2007-2008

Phoenix, AZ

Environment Artist​

Placed on pre-production strike team to explore and prototype game mechanic concepts in a new IP development.

Utrecht, The Netherlands

2023-present

Sr. Designer/ Operations Manager

Tasked with increasing the efficiency of internal & external game production and to nurture the growing company culture.

Product Owner for ErasmusX project: Ace Yourself App

2011-2014

Tempe, AZ

Collins College

Adjunct Professor - Game Design​

Lectured students in Principles of Art & Design, Game Mechanics and Theory, Level Design, Narrative Design.

Additionally volunteered to serve as a student project mentor, and Game Jam Coach/Supervisor

2020-present

Remote

Owner

*Working under Game Architect as a managing member

Designing effective gamified solutions in a variety of genres, mediums, and contexts.

Providing teaching support to technical education institutes and innovators with interdisciplinary projects.

Awarded NWO Take-Off Phase-1 Feasibility Study grant.

2016-2021

Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Game Designer - Behavioural Science Institute​​

Was hired to increase participant engagement in GEMH Lab research through gamification.  Each game designed is able to show significant improvements in engagement.  Furthermore, completed RCT trials indicate substantial and relevant outcomes from these studies.

2008-2010

Phoenix, AZ

Lead Artist​

Co-designed environments for kart racing and speeder bike racing mini-games within the already established FreeRealms and Clone Wars Adventures MMORPGs, both mini-games became fan favorites and one of the game's top rated mini-games.

2021-2023

Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Student Mentor/ Consultant - Dept. of Industrial Design

Worked with design professionals and professors at the Games & Play Lab to create, implement and facilitate a curriculum that focused on societal change through digital and tangible solutions.  Student project coach, guest lecturer, and workshop facilitator.

Experience
Contact
Koontz Interactive icon logo

CONTACT

I am constantly looking to create  those "aha!" moments when you know impact has been felt, and working with others who share that  passion for gaming and growth.

ken@koontzinteractive.com

Zierikzee, The Netherlands

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US Citizen / EU Resident

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