About

I am Efe Kerim Ayvaz, a game designer and developer based in Istanbul, Türkiye. My strongest fit is game systems design, especially progression, gameplay structure, and player-facing systems that stay readable under real production constraints.

I work best when a gameplay idea is still messy and needs structure. I enjoy breaking large design problems into smaller systems, connecting them into clear loops, and validating them through implementation. That mindset has shaped my work across PC, browser, and mobile projects.

I hold a BSc in Digital Game Design from an English-medium programme, co-founded EKSOT Games where I helped design, develop, and publish hyper-casual mobile titles, and have shipped games solo, in game jams and in university teams. I am currently designing a mobile idle RPG, with implementation done AI-assisted under my design direction.

How I work

  • Define player-facing rules first, then test for clarity and pacing
  • Design progression for both short-term and longer-term motivation
  • Balance system depth with readability and production reality
  • Specify each system in writing, with acceptance criteria, before it is built
  • Bridge design intent with Unity/C# implementation details

Experience

2022 - present

Independent Game Designer & Developer

Istanbul

  • Designed and shipped jam games and post-jam releases, including Polygon Strife, carried on for a further eight months after GMTK Game Jam 2023 to a released build, and the solo 48-hour Struggle of a Tree.
  • Designing a mobile hack-and-slash idle RPG, from the core loop through progression, combat, character and build customization, and the item economy.
  • Writing the design specifications, acceptance criteria and independent verification steps that turn those designs into working builds under AI-assisted implementation.

June 2020 - November 2021

Co-Founder, Game Designer & Developer

EKSOT Games, Istanbul

  • Co-founded a small independent studio and shipped multiple hyper-casual mobile titles to the App Store, built in Unity with C#.
  • Owned gameplay and systems design, UI/UX implementation and sound integration across the released titles.
  • Ran the publishing pipeline: build configuration, store submission and release iteration.
  • Collaborated remotely and asynchronously with the team, coordinating scope and release milestones without a shared office.

2014 - 2018

Freelance Minecraft Plugin Developer

Remote

  • Built custom server plugins in Java for Minecraft server owners, working one-on-one with each owner to turn their server’s specific needs into working features.
  • Scoped, delivered and iterated on each plugin directly with the client, against a live server.

Education

Graduated July 2022

BSc, Digital Game Design

Istanbul Bilgi University, Faculty of Communication

  • CGPA 3.32/4.00, 242 ECTS, taught and examined in English.
  • Graduation project: Elementium: Secrets of the Arkain, a team-built turn-based roguelite.

2015 - 2019

Computer Engineering

Istanbul Bilgi University

  • Transferred to Digital Game Design.

Skills

Design
systems design, progression and economy design, feature structure, balancing and pacing, level design, UI/UX, rapid prototyping, scope control
Implementation
Unity, C#, Java (Minecraft plugin development, university coursework), Git/GitHub, Vercel, PowerShell
Production
App Store publishing, advertising SDK integration, asynchronous remote collaboration, specification and verification workflows for AI-assisted development

Languages

Turkish (native). English (advanced; degree taught and examined in English).

Availability

Open to remote collaboration and part-time roles. Comfortable with async workflows, distributed teams, and overlap with EU and partial US East Coast hours.