Hi, I'm Martin.

I love games.

At the age of six I was already trying to design games on paper and with our new C64. My passion for interactive entertainment has only grown since then.

I love to create.

When I wasn't playing, I was busy building something; Whether by writing, sketching or making music. Creative work is one of the best things in life.

I love people.

I enjoy meeting people and collaborating with them. The exchange of views and knowledge inspires me tremendously. That's why I talk a lot.

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Skills & Services

Game and Interface Design

I'm a design freelancer for game, app and VR development. I have worked on a wide range of products and am comfortable with all manner of genres and platforms. My work history includes a variety of design disciplines, including level, game and interface design.

I am based in Karlsruhe, Germany and I can provide support in all stages of development. Be it high concepts, design documentation or feature design. My technical and artistic skills also allow me to provide support with content creation.

Experience

  • Hobbyist since 2000
  • Professional designer since 2008
  • Freelance designer since 2011
  • Team lead experience
  • Architecture degree (dipl.-ing.)
Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Games & Projects

Crownbreakers

Creative Director

2023-now

Nowhere Prophet

Creative Director

2015-2020

Cultist Simulator

Interface Design & Code

2016-2018

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Ex Novo

Design & Layout

2020

Untamed Tactics

UI/UX Design

2023

Between Horizons

UI/UX Design

2022

The Mending Circle

Design & Layout

2021

Goblin Errands

Design, Layout & Artwork

2021

Planedawn Orphans

Design & Layout

2021

Wildsea

Guest Writing

2021

Ex Umbra

Design & Layout

2020

Sweet Surrender

Additional Game Design

2021

Minute of Islands

Interface Design

2021

Star Dynasties

Interface Design

2019-2021

Scherbenfresser

Layout

2020

Wheelhouse (VR)

Complete Development

2016-2017

The Exiled

Interface Design

2016-2017

Audiosurf 2

Theme Design & Scripting

2016

Touch of Death (mobile)

Game & Interface Design

2013

Hipster Zombies (mobile)

Game Design & Artwork

2012-2013

Knuddels Android (mobile)

Interaction Design

2012-2014

KingsAge (Browser)

Game Design

2010

MonsterSaga (Browser)

Game Design

2009

G-Force (PSP & NDS)

Level Design & Scripting

2009

Anno: Create a New World (Wii & NDS)

Level Design & Scripting

2008-2009

Digital Game Spaces (Diploma)

Research & Writing

2006-2007

Napshell (Furniture)

Design & Development

2004-2005

Eden Eclipse (PC)

Game Design & Artwork

2001-2005

Neocron (PC)

Writing & Artwork

2001

Navy SEALs: Covert Operations (PC)

Game Design, Artwork & Managment

2000-2005

Current project

Way Lost

After five years of solo development for Nowhere Prophet I am in need of a change. And a rather big one.

I've given up my flat and will spend a big part of 2020 traveling, meeting friends and making games along the way. If you're interested in hosting, collaborating or following along check out the newsletter and follow me on twitter.

Subscribe to the Way Lost newsletter
  • Way Lost

    Travelling Game Developer

Small Games & Experiments

Hold your Own

Design

2020

The Impossible Swan

Design

2020

Zending

Design & Code

2018

Blanket Space

Co-Design

2017

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Fragments

Design & Code

2019

Storytrick

Design

2017

Checkpoint Fashion

Design & Sound

2016

LifeVR

Design & Code

2016

DR_M

Design & Code

2016

Airlock

Design & Code

2016

Poor Doggie

Complete Development

2016

Regret Train

Design & Code

2015

Different

Complete Development

2014

Sushi Hands

Complete Development

2014

Happy Birthday

Complete Development

2014

The Agency

Design, Code & Art

2014

Articles

  • Hipster Zombies Analysis

    Making Games (print)

    2013

  • Crowdfunding: Good, Bad and Ugly

    Making Games (print)

    2012

  • No More Wrong Turns

    Gamasutra (web)

    2009

Lectures & Talks

No Booth, No Problem 30min lecture GDC 2018
Gamification for Gamers 30min lecture Bizplay 2014
Unity Basics Crash Course 3h lecture Online 2014
Archetypical Spaces 20min lecture A MAZE Berlin 2013
Der perfekte Baukasten 30min lecture Level Up, Karlsruhe 2013
The Indie Brain on F2P 20min lecture A MAZE Berlin 2012
Experiencing Environments 2h lecture Various 2011
Big Bucks for Bits and Bytes 50min lecture GDC Europe 2011
Qualities of Virtual Goods 50min lecture Browsergames Forum 2010

Workshops & Classes

Introduction to Level Design Design Workshop SAE Stuttgart 2014-2015
Introduction to Game Design Full course Games Academy Frankfurt 2013
Environmental Level Design Workshop International Film School Cologne 2011
First Person Shooter Level Design Full course Games Academy Frankfurt 2009-2011

Awards & Nominations

Deutscher Entwicklerpreis Nowhere Prophet Best Game Design (Nomination) 2020
German Dev Days Award Nowhere Prophet Best Game (Nomination) 2020
German Dev Days Award Nowhere Prophet Best Game Mechanics (Nomination) 2020
German Dev Days Award Nowhere Prophet Best Sound (Nomination) 2020
German Dev Days Award Nowhere Prophet Best Story (Nomination) 2020
Animated Games Award Germany Nowhere Prophet Visual Design & Aesthetics (Nomination) 2019
BAFTA Cultist Simulator Game Innovation (Nomination) 2019
BAFTA Cultist Simulator Best Debut (Nomination) 2019
Ideenstark Playful Systems Independent creative business 2017
VR Now Wheelhouse Innovative VR project 2016

Other Projects

Community Projects

  • Indie Arena

    German indie game dev community

    2013-now

  • Talk and Play Karlsruhe

    Local game design event

    2015-2019

  • Game Culture Club

    Local game design discussion group

    2012-2017

Professional Projects

  • Sharkbomb Studios

    Indie game development studio

    2012-now

  • Game Architecture

    Blog on games and virtual spaces

    2009-2013

Role-Playing Projects

  • No Orcs Here

    Alternative fantasy inspiration blog

    2015-2017

  • Tricktonic

    Assorted RPG downloads

    2009-now

  • ORExalted

    Exalted using the One-Roll-Engine RPG

    2007-2008