Encounter Design System Design
Marvel Battlelines Nexon · Unity · Strategic Card Battler · Global Release 2018
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.
• Led design of PVE "Special Ops" mode, building and balancing 80+ stages.
• Developed XP curves and reward systems aligned with player progression.
• Worked directly with Marvel to align content with established lore and narrative direction.
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.
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.