Michael Kiessling

World DirectorArctic Hazard Game Studios | Remote | 09.2021 - Present

• Develop worldbuilding direction, design structure and modular workflows for Norse, a turn-based strategy title, in close collaboration with art direction.

• Shape creative foundations that connect setting, player progression, content readability and production feasibility.

Game Development ConsultantFreelance | Bayreuth, Germany | 11.2021 - Present

• Provide game-development consulting for small and start-up studios, focusing on game design, world design, art pipelines and production structure.

• Mentor regional game start-ups through Gameswerk / Games Bavaria, supporting creative development, team leadership and practical production guidance.

Creative DirectorLeyou Technologies Holdings Ltd | Beijing, China | 05.2019 - 07.2020

• Directed creative development across internal projects, aligning design intent, worldbuilding, narrative direction, franchise expectations and production feasibility.

• Collaborated with mission, gameplay and world-design teams on Transformers: Rise; consulted on design and narrative for additional internal projects.

Product Director - Civilization OnlineLeyou Technologies Holdings Ltd | Beijing, China | 09.2018 - 05.2019

• Developed world, quest and narrative frameworks for Civilization Online, connecting creative foundations with playable mission and content structures.

Content Director (World & Quests) - Assassin’s Creed OdysseyUbisoft Chengdu | Chengdu, China | 03.2017 - 06.2018

• Directed the Chengdu world and quest team through multiple game regions, numerous small and medium-sized cities and 30+ quests.

• Aligned environmental storytelling, world structure, quest content and production quality with franchise and project expectations.

Associate Producer - Assassin’s Creed OriginsUbisoft Chengdu | Chengdu, China | 03.2015 - 02.2017

• Helped build and lead a new world-design team responsible for several sub-regions, side quests and a side-activity feature, including substantial work on the Stone Circles puzzle and quest line.

• Coordinated production priorities, team communication and content quality across art, world and quest development.

Associate Producer - Assassin’s Creed SyndicateUbisoft Chengdu | Chengdu, China | 08.2014 - 03.2015

• Managed a team of artists during production of hundreds of props and vehicles, maintaining quality, throughput and franchise fit.

3D Art LeadKabam | Beijing, China | 12.2012 - 07.2014

• Managed the 3D art team for Blast Zone, including asset and level creation, optimization, art direction and recruitment.

• Led art team work during pre-production and prototyping for an unannounced iOS/Android title.

3D Art DirectorBalanced Worlds | Beijing, China | 05.2011 - 12.2012

• Managed internal and outsourced artists during creation of levels, characters and props for a free-to-play arena shooter prototype.

Lead Technical Character Artist - The Secret WorldFuncom | Beijing, China | 04.2010 - 05.2011

• Created character assets, documented and maintained production guidelines, and reviewed content to ensure pipeline and quality standards were met.

Lead Character Artist - Age of ConanFuncom | Beijing, China | 02.2009 - 04.2010

• Led the Beijing Age of Conan art team, providing on-site training, asset review, technical-standard ownership and liaison support between Oslo and Beijing.

3D ArtistFuncom | Oslo, Norway | 01.2006 - 02.2009

• Created props, characters, monsters and player gear for Age of Conan.