Clay Williamson

Biography

Since I started designing games professionally in 2012, I play games differently. I think about the decisions that created the experience instead of simply getting lost in it. It's not a choice; it's what happens when you peel back the layers. Designing the game has become the boss, and ideas, player needs, and business goals have become the missions.

I've had the opportunity to contribute to some of the industry's most recognizable games. At Microsoft, I helped bring the world's most-played video game, Microsoft Solitaire, to mobile. At Cat Daddy Games, I designed Tourneys for NBA 2K Mobile, helping grow daily active users from 350,000 to 750,000 within six months. I also created Endorsements, the game's highest-converting monetization feature.

One of the things I love most about game design is how many different disciplines it brings together. I enjoy finding ideas that solve multiple problems at once, then refining them by asking questions, testing assumptions, collaborating with teammates, and iterating until they feel right. Whether I'm designing progression, balancing an economy, improving onboarding, or prototyping a new mechanic, I try to make decisions that are grounded in player behavior as much as creative instinct.

I believe great game design happens where creative intuition, player empathy, and measurable outcomes reinforce one another. That philosophy has guided my work, and it continues to shape how I approach every new challenge.

Outside of my professional work, I continue to prototype original games, explore new mechanics, and learn from the work of other talented designers.