Game Design Leadership · 25+ Years

People-first
game
leadership.

I'm Marc Wilhelm — 25+ years building games and the teams who make them. Currently leading the gameplay & UX designers on Magic: The Gathering Arena at Wizards of the Coast.

My story Selected work Get in touch
Overhead view of a CiGDA community meetup Game design classroom at Champlain College
Electronic ArtsMaxisCrystal DynamicsFactor 5SGNActivisionBig Fish GamesDeck NineIron GalaxyWizards of the Coast
25+years in games
0voluntary attrition, 3+ years
40+designers & PMs reached
100+students mentored
1,200+CiGDA community members

Selected work

From the James Bond franchise and The Sims 2 to Tomb Raider, LAIR, and today's Magic: The Gathering Arena. All commercial games →

James Bond 007 Games

James Bond 007 Games

Level Design & Art · Electronic Arts · 2000–2004

The franchise where I made the move from artist to designer — level design and art across Everything or Nothing, Nightfire, and The World Is Not Enough.

Magic: The Gathering Arena

Magic: The Gathering Arena

Sr. Design Manager, Gameplay & UX · Wizards of the Coast · 2022–Present
 The Sims 2

The Sims 2

Feature Producer · Maxis / EA · 2004
 Tomb Raider: Legend

Tomb Raider: Legend

Level Designer · Crystal Dynamics · 2004–2005
 LAIR

LAIR

Senior Designer · Factor 5 · 2006–2007
 Curve Fever Pro

Curve Fever Pro

Designer & Executive Producer · Hidden Monster Games · 2017–2018
 Fairway Solitaire

Fairway Solitaire

Lead Designer · Big Fish Games · 2016–2017

In their words

From people who reported to me.

“He proved to be a highly skilled design director and compassionate leader… one of the best and most supportive managers I've ever had. Any studio would be very lucky to have him heading up their design department.”
Meredith WilsonLevel Designer, Night School Studio (Netflix) — reported to Marc at Deck Nine
“When I learned Marc would be leading our department, I couldn't think of a better person for the job. His warm demeanor fostered comfort and cohesion within the team, and he was the strongest advocate for us.”
Jose VillegasSenior Game Designer, Iron Galaxy Studios — reported to Marc
More on LinkedIn →Full recommendations & endorsements

Career

Artist → designer → producer → professor → design leader.

  • Sr. Design Manager, Gameplay & UX — Digital Games
    Wizards of the Coast · Magic: The Gathering Arena
  • Design Department Manager, All Studios
    Iron Galaxy Studios · 25+ designers, five concurrent AAA projects
  • Design Manager, Gameplay & UX
    Deck Nine Games · Life Is Strange: Double Exposure
  • Studio Leadership — Design & Production
    Hidden Monster Games, Amsterdam · Curve Fever Pro
  • Lead Designer
    Big Fish Games · Fairway Solitaire
  • Assistant Professor, Game Design
    Champlain College · 100+ students mentored
  • Founder
    Colorado independent Game Developers Association · 1,200+ members
  • Creative Director · Senior Design Manager
    SGN · Activision external development
  • Level & Senior Designer
    Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider: Legend) · Factor 5 (LAIR)
  • Artist → Level Designer → Feature Producer
    Electronic Arts / Maxis · James Bond 007, The Sims 2, The Godfather