AWARDS AND ACCOLADES:

• Game Developers Choice Awards - Judge [2024]

• Grand Prix Award in “Digital Craft” - Travis Scott and Fortnite Present: Astronomical (Cannes Lion) [2020/2021]

• Grand Clio for Experience/Activation - Travis Scott and Fortnite Present: Astronomical (Clio Awards) [2020/2021]

• Best Live Special - Travis Scott and Fortnite Present: Astronomical (The Streamys) [Nomination] [2020]

• Presidential Scholarship (DePaul University) [2010 - 2014]

• Mike Harper Leadership Scholarship (ConAgra Foods) [2010 - 2014]

• Ted Ryan Creative Writing Award (Hinsdale Central High School) [2010]

PRESS AND PUBLICATIONS:

• Top 10 Live Events in Fortnite (WatchMojo)

• The best Fortnite live events of all time (Digital Trends)

• New Games with Old Names; On Sequels and Why I got Back Into Call of Duty (Gamasutra Featured Post)

• A Train With No Brakes; On Hype and Why No Man’s Sky is Important (Gamasutra Featured Post)

About Me

Hey there! My name is Riley Halligan, and I’m an award winning game developer based out of Chicago, Illinois. From an early age, I have always been fascinated with creating and designing games. I began creating levels to share with my players in the fourth grade, and had been tinkering with Legos or blocks or anything else I could get my hands on long before that. I never really outgrew that, and eventually earned a BS in Computer Game Development with a concentration in design and production. My inspiration comes from all sorts of cool stuff, whether it be tabletop and board games, the media, other videogames, or something completely different. I love being able to create a world for my players to get lost in, or allowing people to play together in new ways. 

I like to keep busy! I'm currently a Balance Designer at Epic Games, where I work on the award winning Fortnite Battle Royale game. I started at Epic as a QA Analyst, and eventually transitioned to design. Prior to working at Epic, I worked on Kartridge with Kongregate, and Jackbox Party Pack 4 with Jackbox Games. I’m also a very active member of the video games industry, and stay up to date on everything going on. If you want to see all of my ramblings about the industry, check me out on Twitter! Outside of video games industry, I enjoy coaching football with Loyola University Chicago!

CREDITS:

• “Designed, Developed and Published by” - Fortnite (Epic Games, 2017)

• “QA Tester” - Kartridge (Kongregate, 2018)

• “QA Tester” - Kongregatre.com (Kongregate, 2006)

• "QA" - Jackbox Party Pack 4 (Jackbox Games, 2017)

  • "QA" - Fibbage 3

  • "QA" - Survive The Internet

  • "QA" - Monster Seeking Monster

  • "QA" - Bracketeering

  • "QA" - Civic Doodle

• "Lead Designer / Original Concept" - I See What You Did There (I See What You Did There Game, 2016)

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Doctor of Metaphysics (Universal Life Church) [Summer 2022]

• Ordained Minister (Universal Life Church) [Spring 2019]

• Certified Tester, Foundation Level (CTFL) [Spring 2016]

Currently Playing:

Favorite Games: