Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
Sledgehammer Games // co-dev with Treyarch
Senior Multiplayer Level Designer
Rapidly prototype map layouts and gameplay using Radiant.
Design and implement gameplay including spawn placement, AI navigation and traversals, killstreaks, and interactables.
Maintain rigorous level metrics and uphold gameplay standards across the game.
Conduct playtests to gather feedback and iterate on design improvements.
Blackheart
October 2025 // Open Beta & Launch // Original
“Head out to sea on a drilling platform extracting essential resources for The Guild. Battle on and around the central drill or duke it out on the barge around mineral containers, pumps, and massive nautical vehicles. Flank enemies around the diving bell and watch your feet when jumping over the grinder pit.“
What originally began as a Gunfight map grew into Blackheart, a core 6v6 map for Black Ops 7. My initial vision imagined both teams swimming into mid, but the lack of direct engagements left the experience unfocused. The rotating drill however became the heart of the design – a feature that evolved into a combat space of its own, complete with wall-jump opportunities around its perimeter. The defining moment came with the drill’s arms, which Nathan Thomas helped shape conceptually and Donald Madsen brought to life. With Stephen Honegger’s art direction and David Karis’ problem-solving and polish, the map matured into a distinctive map offering for the game. Guidance from Treyarch’s design leads, Tiff Tarampi and Phil Tasker, was instrumental in steering Blackheart toward its final vision.
Fun Fact: The map began as a modest 2v2 Gunfight prototype, but quickly became a studio 6v6 favourite. Its popularity elevated it to the spotlight as the very first map revealed at COD Next, featured in the Open Beta, and then selected as part of the CDL map pool.
Key Responsibilities
Created and presented pitch decks to directors and stakeholders at Treyarch.
Concepted, designed, and rapidly prototyped new map layout and level design ideas.
Conducted playtests and collated map feedback for iteration.
Implemented game modes, set up gameplay and collision, and resolved bugs.
"Blackheart is the map that'll win over the fans of small maps like Nuketown and Hijacked."
"Blackheart map is a big favorite, best map of the beta so far, small and very intense."
"Blackheart – 9/10... All in all, map pool is already miles better than Black Ops 6."
"Blackheart, especially, is an absolute riot to play on. Absolutely top-notch."