Eric Petrie

I helped establish the project from its earliest prototypes and define its long-term gameplay direction. I own the design and balance of core systems including combat, progression, classes, abilities, and meta progression. I also designed the Star Map, giving players meaningful strategic choices between roguelike encounters.

• Gameplay direction
• Combat
• Progression
• Classes and abilities
• Gameplay Ability System (GAS)
• Meta progression
• Star Map

I focused on gear design and balance, helping shape the equipment and loot that drive character growth and build variety. After release, I supported the game as a live service by designing and balancing updates across progression, equipment, pets, classes, bosses, enemies, and difficulty.

• Gear design
• Equipment and loot
• Post-launch updates
• Live service
• Gameplay Ability System (GAS)
• Progression
• Balance

I focused on character and boss design for this action-roguelite entry in the Dungeon Defenders series. My work included shaping heroes, combat mechanics, abilities, enemies, and boss encounters, then iterating through hands-on playtesting and cross-discipline feedback.

• Character design
• Boss design
• Abilities
• Gameplay Ability System (GAS)
• Combat
• Encounters
• Roguelite progression

I began on Dungeon Defenders II in Quality Assurance before moving into design roles across multiple studio transitions. I supported heroes, enemies, bosses, quests, equipment, unlocks, and progression, co-designed a major progression overhaul featuring a prestige-based replay loop and Endless Mode, and designed and balanced the Barbarian Hero.

• Quality assurance
• Progression overhaul
• Endless Mode
• Barbarian Hero
• Combat
• Live-service design

Before joining the studio, I was a long-time Dungeon Defenders player with extensive knowledge of the game and its community. In Quality Assurance, I supported releases through gameplay testing, balance validation, regression testing, and detailed issue reporting.

• Long-time player perspective
• Gameplay testing
• Balance validation
• Regression testing
• Design feedback