KATERINA TUMAS
External Head of Game Design
External Head / Lead Game Designer for game teams / Advisor
Mobile games / publisher-facing / live projects
I join projects when you need senior-level decisions, clear direction, and product-focused thinking — without a full-time hire or long onboarding.
The product has stalled despite multiple possible development paths
Sometimes the team needs Head-level decisions, but keeping a full-time Head in-house is not rational
The game is preparing for a publisher pitch, and it’s critical to know whether it truly fits the market
IN A SIMILAR SITUATION?
THEN YOU NEED AN EXTERNAL
HEAD / ADVISOR
Not every team needs a full-time Head. But almost every team needs Head-level decisions at critical moments.
And it’s most effective when it’s:
WHAT DO I DO IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS?
I help structure decisions when the team lacks clarity or alignment
I break down chaotic discussions, separate root problems from symptoms, and guide the team toward concrete, well-justified decisions.
Now it’s clear where to move next.
I help define direction and resolve key game design questions that block progress
As a result, further decisions align with the project’s goals, development stage, and audience expectations.
I bring the product to a state that is clear to the team, THE MARKET and the publisher.
FORMATS OF WORK
ADVISOR
CONSULTATIONS & REVIEWS
— 1–3 hour sessions
When you need a fast external perspective and concrete answers.
Suitable for focused tasks and situations where it’s important to quickly understand the issue and make a decision without long-term involvement.
SENSEI
TEAM WORK
— 2–4 calls per month + async support
When it’s important to restore focus, build shared understanding, or prepare the project for the next step.
I work with the team to structure discussions, resolve contradictions, and align decisions.
EXTERNAL HEAD
PROJECT SUPPORT
— Regular involvement: 4–8+ hours per week, 1–3 calls
When a project needs ongoing Head-level decisions and senior product oversight.
A format for situations where it’s important to regularly stay aligned on direction and make decisions at the product level.
HOW WE WORK TOGETHER
I
INTRODUCTORY CALL
A short introductory call. We discuss the project, context, and task to understand whether further collaboration makes sense and in what format.
II
DEFINING THE REQUEST AND FOCUS
We clarify what exactly needs to be solved. We identify key questions, constraints, and the expected outcome.
III
CHOOSING THE WORK FORMAT
We determine the most effective way to move forward. Consultation, team work, or ongoing support — depending on the task and the project stage.
IV
WORKING WITH THE PROJECT
I join the project in the selected format. I help make decisions, define direction, and transfer the logic for further actions.
WHAT WILL CHANGE AS A RESULT OF MY WORK?
12+
years in the industry
ROLES:
GD → Lead → Head → EXPERT
GAME GENRES:
Casual / hypercasual/
hypercore / MIDCORE
READY TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT?
Choose a convenient way to get in touch, then
briefly describe the context, the current situation, and the key question.