Jonathan Walker
About Jonathan Walker
Jonathan Walker is a Senior Competitive Designer at Riot Games, where he collaborates with various teams to enhance matchmaking and rating systems for VALORANT. He has extensive experience in game design, having previously worked at Raven Software in multiple roles and served in the US Navy.
Current Role at Riot Games
Jonathan Walker serves as a Senior Competitive Designer at Riot Games, a position he has held since 2020. Based in Los Angeles, California, he collaborates with data scientists, quality assurance teams, engineers, and analysts on the VALORANT team. His work focuses on enhancing matchmaking and rating systems to improve player experience. Walker also engages with the player community to ensure their feedback is integrated into the competitive design process.
Previous Experience at Raven Software
Prior to his role at Riot Games, Jonathan Walker worked at Raven Software for several years in various capacities. He began as a Quality Assurance Analyst from 2014 to 2015, then progressed to Associate Systems Designer from 2017 to 2018, and later served as a Systems Designer from 2018 to 2020. His contributions included advanced systems design for the Call of Duty franchise, focusing on aspects such as weapon balance and player customization.
Military Background
Jonathan Walker has a background in the United States Navy, where he served as a Security Reaction Force Dispatcher from 2009 to 2013. He completed Recruit Training in 2009, followed by advanced training in the Security Reaction Force in 2011. This experience provided him with skills in security and crisis management.
Educational Qualifications
Walker studied Computer Science at Madison Area Technical College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2014. He also attended La Follette High School from 2003 to 2007. His education in computer science has equipped him with the technical skills necessary for his roles in game design and development.
Mentorship and Community Engagement
In his current role, Jonathan Walker provides mentorship to interns and new designers at Riot Games. He focuses on building foundational design skills through discussions and guidance. Additionally, he actively engages with the player community to ensure their voices are heard, facilitating a responsive approach to competitive design.