Steven Wes Davis
Suwanee,USA
Summary
An accomplished game design leader with over 25 years of experience along with a demonstrated track record of driving double digit growth in Class II, Class III, Comma 6a, Charitable, GA Skill, iGaming, Social and VLT environments. Mentored mathematicians and designers that released multiple games in the top 25 Eilers Core Performance reports. Designed the #2 Keno game in the Eilers Route Operations Performance Report. Worked closely with multiple teams in crafting over 25+ gaming patents. Designed several patented skill features that revolutionize Skill/Charitable markets including the popular slide to win game mechanic.
Knowledgeable Design Consultant with diverse background in delivering innovative design solutions that align with client needs and industry trends. Demonstrated success in managing multiple projects from concept to completion, ensuring client satisfaction and adherence to timelines. Proven ability in utilizing advanced design software and effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Game Design Consultant
Self-employed
02.2025 - Current
- Director level consultant advising companies in making new content for Class II, Class III, iGaming, Social and GA skill markets.
- Providing consulting in the areas of: Game Design, Games Portfolio Strategy, Training in AI art and math tools, Crafting new and distinctive game design, Art Direction, Math tools and Class II/Prize-first optimization, iGaming/Landbased Game Development, UI/UX/Game design feedback, Ideation Process, Patent Development /Analysis and related areas.
Director Game Design, Principal
Everi
10.2022 - 02.2025
- Released the IL VLT Multigame in the 3rd quarter 2024: Player Classic Illinois
- Worked on Premium & Core games for Class III, II and HHR channels
- Provided suggestions/feedback on the new concepts/math models from designers across all the studios
- Led the creative vision and direction for the new VLT games
- Conducted competitive analysis and studying the performance of slots games in Class II, III, VLT and social games from Eilers-Fantini, App Annie and CDC Gaming reports
- Worked closely across multiple departments for games launches and post-release support.
- Game Design mentor within the Company Mentorship Program for 2023 & 2024
Sr Director Game Design
Epic Tech and sister companies: Aurify (Casino & Online Games) Cardinal Xpress (GA VLT Skill)
04.2013 - 09.2022
- Managed game development teams across internal and external studios in releasing 28+ new games a year
- Handled creative vision and game roadmaps for Class II, GA Skill, iGaming, Charitable, Social channels
- Led the internal & outsource teams for the development of the iGaming client on the Leander RGS
- Co-designed the Casino/Class II/iGaming/Charitable math conversion/benchmarking tools with multiple player journeys AI bots
- Designed notable game families: Lucky Combo, Line Em Up, Rack it Up and Flaming Jackpot Treasures
- Rack it Up games were the first Class II & Charitable H&S games with a persisting state mechanic
- Designed the popular and patented Slide to Win game mechanic for GA Skill and Charitable markets.
- Lead the teams in securing multiple hold & spins patents deployed in the Flaming Jackpots game families: Patent 1, Patent 2 and Patent 3.
Director Game Design & Game Development
CADILLAC JACK (now AGS)
01.2011 - 04.2013
- Managed game design, sound and art teams and new feature/core Class II games/progressive roadmaps
- Co-Designed the Casino/Class II math benchmarking tools
- Coordinated the development of the core and licensed games across the internal and third-party studios
- Teams shipped 24+ games in 2012
- Designed the first Class II game with 5 persistent state bonus rounds along with the first patented Tower defense game mechanic
- Notable Game: Peter and Wendy, bonus 1, bonus 2, bonus 3, bonus 4.
Director Game Design
SPIELO (now IGT)
01.2004 - 01.2011
- Directed departments in math, innovation, design and art for Class III and VLT markets
- Co- designed the Jackpot Fortunato bonus round released in over 25 000 gaming machines in Italy
- Managed game development schedules, roadmaps, new markets research, research initiatives with universities and budgets
- Our teams released the following premium licenses: Deal or No Deal Join’N Play with a community bonus round, Dogs, 3 Stooges and Slingo
- Co-Designed the first Patented Directional wilds mechanic and Mr. E Wins game family with the first patented 2nd chance bonus mechanic: feature 1, feature 2, feature 3, feature 4 and feature 5.
Development Group Leader
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Managed all games/design/art/math tools/platforms development of the studio
- Co-Designed the Casino/VLT math benchmarking tools with multiple AI player journeys
- Led the studio in breaking performance records within North American and European VLT markets
- Notable game: Agent Buck with first patented pick your volatility bonus round
- Maintained the studio P&L while exceeded growth goals for all the assigned markets
Team Leader (Producer) I - 2000/Team Leader II
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Led game development teams for #1 games releases to Montana, Québec and Sweden markets
- We increased the weekly performance of the VLT multigame by 45% in Québec therefore securing 2500+ additional positions
- The Sweden team became #1 within the Miss Vegas market beating the best games from IGT by over 20%
- We captured 15% of market share within 5 years in the Montana VLT market
- Our team has still the #2 Keno Game in the country with Lucky Bells Keno as per Eilers report
Education
Slot Operation Essentials
University of Nevada, Reno
01.2007
New Product Development
York University, Ontario
01.2006
Project Management Course
Saint-Mary’s University, Nova Scotia
01.2002
Administration Science
College Marie-Victorin- Montréal, Québec
12.1984
Skills
- Game Development Management/Optimization, UX/UI Design, Prototyping, Gaming IPs and Trademarks, System design and Architecture, Innovative slot game mechanics, Advanced R&D projects with Universities, Math tuning and optimization (Class 2/3/VLT/ Comma6A/6B/ Skill/CDS/iGaming/Charitable), Math simulations with AI components, Leading/Mentoring production teams (5 to 140 employees), 3D Engine (Mono, Unreal & Unity), Agile & Waterfall development process, MS Office, Visio, Adobe Creative Suite, Canvas, Gaming Compliance with GLI 11/12/23, SAS and G2S
- Great attention to detail
- Strategic thinking
- Adobe creative suite
- Web design proficiency
- Interactive design
- Concept development
- Layout and composition
- UI and UX prototyping
- Design research
- Mobile app design
Timeline
Game Design Consultant
Self-employed
02.2025 - Current
Director Game Design, Principal
Everi
10.2022 - 02.2025
Sr Director Game Design
Epic Tech and sister companies: Aurify (Casino & Online Games) Cardinal Xpress (GA VLT Skill)
04.2013 - 09.2022
Director Game Design & Game Development
CADILLAC JACK (now AGS)
01.2011 - 04.2013
Director Game Design
SPIELO (now IGT)
01.2004 - 01.2011
Development Group Leader
01.2002 - 01.2004
Team Leader (Producer) I - 2000/Team Leader II
01.2000 - 01.2002
New Product Development
York University, Ontario
Project Management Course
Saint-Mary’s University, Nova Scotia
Administration Science
College Marie-Victorin- Montréal, Québec
Slot Operation Essentials
University of Nevada, Reno
Similar Profiles
Alayna ReillyAlayna Reilly
Makeup Artist at Self-EmployedMakeup Artist at Self-Employed
HUSSEIN ALAHMARIHUSSEIN ALAHMARI
Real Estate Consultant at Self-EmployedReal Estate Consultant at Self-Employed
Gaetano FosterGaetano Foster
Hobbyist Developer at Self-EmployedHobbyist Developer at Self-Employed
Martha MaddoxMartha Maddox
Owner of Mere Grace at Self-employedOwner of Mere Grace at Self-employed
Alfonso U. MendozaAlfonso U. Mendoza
Film Industry Paramedic at IATSE Local 479Film Industry Paramedic at IATSE Local 479