Game Overview
‍Gravity Rider (GR) and its sequel, Gravity Rider Zero (GRZ), are racing games created by Vivid Games and Fontes, which collectively amassed over 50 million downloads worldwide. The games have been published across multiple platforms, including freemium and premium mobile versions, as well as a Nintendo Switch title.

GRZ, the sequel, offers a more casual experience than the original GR, with additional game modes and new content. The series takes inspiration from titles such as Elastomania, Hill Climb Racing, and Trials. It’s considered a midcore title, featuring a robust metagame, numerous game modes, and vehicle customization options. Players can unlock enhanced vehicles, race against online ghost players (recorded high scores), participate in timed events, and more.

‍My Role
‍I began working on Gravity Rider as a game designer, rapidly transitioning into the role of Product Owner. As Product Owner, I led a cross-functional team of 4-6 members, consisting of developers, artists, QA testers, designers, and analysts. My deep understanding of the product allowed me to oversee the design of new features while managing the overall direction of the brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Ownership
  • Managing P&L, defining and executing product roadmaps, and overseeing external collaborations
  • Driving the brand's strategic vision and identifying new market opportunities
  • Handling daily operational tasks, from feature prioritization to live operations
  • Collaborating closely with C-level executives to align on business strategy
  • Developing data-driven strategies using advanced analytics and KPIs
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Managing and mentoring team members through hiring processes, conducting one-on-ones, and fostering individual career development
  • Ensuring effective cross-functional collaboration, including coordination with analytics, user acquisition, and marketing teams
  • Facilitating agile practices by managing the product backlog and leading sprint planning
  • Defining and tracking OKRs to ensure project goals and milestones are met
• Game Design & Feature Management
  • Leading game economy design and owning the game's feature development roadmap
  • Overseeing the planning, design, and iteration of game updates, ensuring alignment with player feedback and market trends
  • Balancing in-game economies and player progression through extensive A/B testing and data analysis
  • Ensuring game monetization aligns with both player experience and revenue goals
• Notable Achievements
  • Implemented extensive player behavior tracking through Qlik dashboards, allowing for data-driven decisions that significantly improved key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Managed the integration of an innovative in-game advertising system (ANZU) that displayed ads on billboards within the game world, creating a unique and effective new revenue stream
  • Partnered with Skillz to implement one of the first synchronous multiplayer systems in a play-to-earn scheme

Key Insights
‍Gravity Rider provided me with a tremendous growth opportunity as both a designer and product owner. Through handling multifaceted responsibilities and leading key strategic decisions, I was able to demonstrate my leadership abilities and deliver value to the product. Years after its release, the game continues to attract a steady influx of new players, which is a testament to the lasting appeal and success of the brand.

‍Links
‍Gravity Rider - Google Play
‍Gravity Rider - AppStore
‍Gravity Rider Zero - Google Play‍
Gravity Rider Zero - AppStore
‍Gravity Rider Zero - Nintendo Switch