top of page
Game Designer
ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Joe McClelland - an enthusiastic and ambitious game designer driven by a lifelong passion for creating fun and immersive experiences. Games have been a core part of my identity since childhood, and now with an arsenal of technical and design skills, the craft of video game development is my deepest commitment to the future.
With a BSc Games Computer degree from University of Lincoln, I joined Lockwood Publishing to work on LiveOps and Economy for Avakin Life - a virtual world mobile app about community and fashion. Later, I joined Playtonic Games to work on Yooka-Replaylee - a remake to the highly successful 2017 Kickstarter, where I took on many roles, including Systems and Level design.
My Work
Starting life as a remaster to the original 2017 Kickstarter Yooka-Laylee, Replaylee blossomed into a fully fledge game and remake - new challenges, collectibles, enemies, and so much more. My work saw me take on roles in Game, Level, and Systems design, covering the game globally and overseeing a lot of the main bulk content.
A throwback to retro 3D platformers, Yooka-Replaylee brings fresh modern tech and design to a beloved genre. My work on Replaylee spans game-wide with design in all 5 levels including the hub. I also took ownership to redesign the "Capital Cashino" - a brightly lit Vegas-style casino with minigames and brain-training puzzles. Although the casino level is my proudest, my work extends to every corner of the game, including challenge and environment design on all the levels, final boss, collectables, and much more.
More info on Yooka-Re-Playlee can be found
Avakin Life is a free-to-play 3D mobile social simulation game developed and published by Lockwood Publishing. Available on iOS and Android, it offers players a rich virtual world where they can create personalized avatars, design living spaces, and socialize in real-time with a global community. Fashion is a major part of the experience, offering contests, runways, and exclusive events.
During my time on Avakin as a LiveOps and Experience designer, I created regular content updates, live events, and collaborations with brands and influencers support long-term player retention. Often creating experiences that reflect real-world holidays like Christmas and Easter, Avakin also caters to region specific events. The game fosters a large online community with active participation across social platforms and forums, spanning over many different regions.
More info on Avakin Life can be found
Game Jams
As a dedicated game jam enthusiast, I have actively participated in game jams my university days, continuing this practice as a professional game designer. Many of the innovative concepts developed during these events have evolved into serious projects with the potential for commercial success. My proudest, "Shell Shock Rooster", was made solo in 48 hours during Global Game Jam 2023, participating at Lincoln Uni as a guest.
You can find more information on these projects as well as unreleased prototypes with NDA by reaching out to me!
bottom of page