Kevin Taylor – Game Designer
TURNING SPREADSHEETS INTO FUN!
Hi! My name is Kevin Taylor, and welcome to my website.
I have been designing game math systems for over 15 years. My work has focused on mobile apps, casino games, and game economies. Doing a bit of everything has given me a broad understanding of gameplay types and player experiences.
How’d I get into games?
Through the usual path–film student to physics student to engineering grad student to casino game mathematician.
I’ve always enjoyed games and telling stories (high school theater nerd here) as well as being interested in math and science. I was thrilled to find a way to combine my technical skills and creativity in learning how to turn numbers on a spreadsheet into fun, memorable experiences.
Slot Machine Games
Much of my work has focused on brainstorming game concepts then finding ways to calculate their expected behavior. I am deeply knowledgeable of Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, as well as coding custom tools and simulations for particularly complex features.
Slot math
I have developed math for about 150 slot games at International Game Technology and PLAYStudios. Each game requires precise calculations, usually done in a spreadsheet with a custom simulation tool for verification.
The Little Shop of Horrors
For IGT’s “The Little Shop of Horrors” the team and I developed the game’s concept (“The plant eats people it’s hilarious”), and from there I developed a math model. This game required a mix of spreadsheet calculations and a custom program written in C# to confirm the payout rate was correct, as well as to make sure the gameplay was fun.
Game Design
myVEGAS Slots: Devin & Dell
The leading* game in the “Cats present you with moral quandaries” genre. Players are presented with moral quandaries and urged towards good or evil by the fluffy, angelic Devin or the feisty, devilish Dell.
* OK, only game.
Mobile App Meta Features
I have supported live games by designing and sustaining app-level meta features. These range from collection quests to keep players engaged for days to monthslong events.
myKonami Slots: Path to Riches
Path to Riches is a board game event within myKonami Slots. Players collect dice as they play (or with purchases). As players move around the board, they collect hammers and amulets to build a magical pagoda–complete the pagoda to receive a special Dragon Prize.
myVEGAS Slots: Nami’s Signature Collection
This feature runs over a period of seven weeks. Players collected cards from in-game events–regular play, purchases, or special cards tied to achievements. The goal is to fill the photo album before time was up.
Economy and Monetization Design
As a game economy designer I have worked on balancing the faucets and sinks for multiple apps as well as working closely with product managers to integrate features with monetization goals.
myKonami Slots: Senior Economy Designer
As Economy Designer for myKonami Slots, I was responsible for monitoring and updating the app’s faucets and sinks to keep the pace of play fun and engaging. I also took on the task of an economy overhaul, a large effort requiring coordination between Design, Product Management, Business Intelligence, and Software Engineering.
myVIP.co Purchasing Website
PlayStudios apps give selected players the opportunity to purchase on myVIP, where they can receive special offers and deals not available within the app. For myKonami Slots, I worked with the Monetization Product Manager to update the offers available on the website and make them competitive with in-app purchases. The result was revenues 300% the quarterly target .
Applications
I have worked on launch and live support for these apps (and playtest and economy support for others)
myvegas slots
myvegas slots classic
POP! SLOTS
MYKONAMI SLOTS
MYVEGAS LUCKY LIFE
ROYAL CHARM SLOTS
To Wrap Up… Let’s Go to the Circus!
In my life outside of building spreadsheets and meeting KPI’s, I enjoy aerial arts. For the last four years I have performed in student showcases at Aerial Athletica in Las Vegas, Nevada. This isn’t professional work, but for fun I present 2022’s “You Can Leave After This One”.
You can rest easy–I don’t wear tights in the office. Usually.
Kevin Taylor Game Design 