Independent gameplay evaluations from a working game director. I play your build, find the design problems that matter most, and tell you exactly what to fix first.
For funded indie studios, solo indie developers, and publishers who want an expert read on combat, enemy design, progression and pacing before committing more time or money.
Where I can help
The areas where a prototype most often loses players, and where I've spent my career.
Core loop
Whether the minute-to-minute play holds up, and why players put the controller down.
Action combat
Feel, readability, enemy design, difficulty curves and the systems underneath them.
Boss encounters
Create memorable encounters that players talk about afterwards.
RPG progression
Builds, stats, loot and unlocks that keep choices meaningful past the opening hours.
Pacing
Where tension sags, where it spikes, and what to cut so the good parts land.
Vertical slices
How well a slice shows the game's promise to players, press and publishers.
Engagements
Fixed scopes with clear deliverables. Each one ends with a written diagnosis and a prioritized list of changes, ordered by impact.
From build to battle plan
Intake
A short, confidential conversation about your game, your goals and where you're stuck. NDA signed if needed.
Playthrough
I play the build the way your players will, and then again the way a designer would.
Diagnosis
A written breakdown of what's working, what isn't, and the root cause behind each problem.
Priorities
Recommendations ranked by impact and effort, so your team knows what to tackle first.
Debrief
A call to walk through the findings and answer your team's questions.
Who you're working with
I'm Jean, a game director and developer. I founded the indie studio Secret Boss LLC, and I'm still actively making games.
That's why consulting here is selective. I take on a handful of projects where I can make a real difference, focused on action combat, boss design, RPG systems and gameplay direction.
- DirectorDeath's Gambit: Afterlife
- DeveloperDeltarune
- FounderSecret Boss LLC
Discuss your project
Send a short note and I'll reply if it's a good fit for my current availability.
- Your name and studio or publisher
- The game's genre and development stage
- Which service you're interested in
- Approximate budget and timeline
- Whether a playable build is ready (please don't attach it yet)
Confidentiality
Unreleased builds and pitch materials are kept private. I'm happy to sign your NDA before seeing anything, and builds are only shared through a secure method we agree on.
Availability
I work on a limited number of engagements alongside my own projects, so start dates depend on my schedule. Earlier contact means more options.