Charles Gray

About Charles Gray

Creative and design leader with 20 years of experience shaping, validating, and scaling live games and interactive experiences based on globally recognized entertainment IP, including Pokémon, Star Trek, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and Stargate. Experienced in guiding internal teams and external partners through ambiguity to deliver player-centered experiences that balance creative ambition, data, and long-term business value.

Experience

1. Lead Game Designer for Pokémon Go

   Niantic, Inc

   Jun 2024 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   Led a full rebalance of player leveling progression ahead of Pokémon GO’s 10-year anniversary, introducing a higher level-cap and new retention-driven mechanics, which- Improved retention among returning and reactivated players by +1 standard deviation over baseline- Drove positive lift across key KPIs including time-in-app, distance walked, item usage, and in-app spend- Lead a team of feature designers responsible for all core systems and economies, coordinating vision and execution across internal teams and external partners.

Education

• Carnegie Mellon University

  BS, Biological Sciences

  2001 — 2005

• Carnegie Mellon University

  MET, Entertainment Technology

• Carnegie Mellon University

  BA, Creative Writing

  2001 — 2005

Skills

• Game Design
• Game Development
• Video Games
• Unreal Editor
• Mmo
• Content Design
• Online Gaming
• Multiplayer
• Scripting
• World Building
• Gameplay
• Casual Games
• Unreal Engine 3
• Computer Games
• Social Games
• 3d
• Xbox 360
• Game Mechanics
• Unrealscript
• Level Design
• Mmorpg
• Virtual Worlds
• Environment Art
• Perforce
• Flash