
Tom 'Zileas' Cadwell: From Blizzard Designer to Riot Games' Chief Design Officer
Tom 'Zileas' Cadwell serves as the Chief Design Officer and Executive Vice President of Research & Development at Riot Games Inc., bringing extensive experience in game design and development.
During his tenure at Blizzard Entertainment, Tom played a crucial role in developing World of Warcraft, where he designed the core talent system and enhanced the new player experience. He also led play balance efforts for Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. His competitive gaming background includes winning the Blizzard Brood War Beta invitational and achieving #1 rank on StarCraft and Brood War ladders multiple times.
Academically accomplished, Tom holds an MBA from Kellogg and a BS in Computer Science from MIT. He combines his technical expertise with a passion for gaming, often reading science fiction while exercising.
At Riot Games, Tom previously served as the Design Director of League of Legends before advancing to his current executive role. His notable contributions to League of Legends include co-developing champion designs for Annie and Ashe, working alongside team members like Colt 'Ezreal' Hallam, Jeff 'Kassadin' Jew, Paul 'Pabro' Bellezza, and Steve 'Guinsoo' Feak. He also played a significant role in creating The Tribunal system.
Tom's leadership continues to shape Riot Games' research and development initiatives, drawing from his diverse experience in competitive gaming, game design, and business management.
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