About Me
My name is Nikita Shershakov, and I am a professional game level designer with +3.5 years experience. In my projects, I specialize in creating intuitive and emotionally engaging locations that immerse players in the game world. I particularly enjoy designing levels that not only emphasize the core mechanics of the game but also enhance the interactive and immersive aspects of the environment.
I find inspiration from designers such as Mikhail Kadikov (Hunt: Showdown), Steve Lee (Bioshock Infinite, Dishonored 2), and Donald Norman (The Design of Everyday Things), whose design principles have had a profound impact on me. They have taught me valuable lessons for which I am grateful.
From Passion to Pro
Since childhood, I have been passionate about game design, creating role-playing adventure games with puzzles and challenges for my friends. I was also interested in video games and their creation, but I couldn’t find answers on how they were made at the time. Although games have always been an important part of my life, my first job was as an English teacher.
I worked for 4.5 years at FIELD SCHOOL in China, where gamification was a key teaching method. I successfully implemented this method by creating mini-games for children and using psychological techniques to manage their attention. This approach earned me the title of “Teacher of the Year” twice.
Later, I returned to my interest in game design and began studying it in my spare time. By creating my own level in Unity, I secured a position at Azur Games as a level designer and environment artist. During my time there, I participated in over 10 projects, most of which remained at the prototyping stage. I also contributed to commercially successful projects such as STAR: Super Tricky Amazing Run (50+ million downloads) and Monster Puzzle Adventure (13+ million downloads).
Skills
During my career, I have become proficient in various tools and engines, which help me clearly share my vision during prototyping and creating the final product.
Making My Hobbies Work for My Career
Video Games
In my free time, I enjoy studying games, analyzing released projects, and taking notes on interesting design solutions. This passion inspired me to create my own blog where I share these notes. My favorite game genres include action-adventure, immersive sims, stealth games, and first-person shooters.
Tabletop Role-playing Games
I also love tabletop role-playing games; they inspire me a lot. Whether role-playing characters or being a game master, I focus on creating memorable stories. In my games, I apply the same design principles used in my work to evoke emotions and create unforgettable experiences for my friends.
Movies
I like movies with interesting stories, especially old ones from the 80s and 90s. I enjoy adventure and detective movies.
World Exploration
I love traveling, not so much flying to other countries, but exploring new places on foot. Each journey gives me new energy and inspiration. I appreciate how my level design skills help me navigate the real world better.