In engineering a cell-carrier to support cartilage growth, hydrogels provide a unique, largely aqueous environment for 3D chondrocyte culture that facilitates nutrient transport yet provides an elastic framework dictating tissue shape and supporting external loads. While the gel environment is often >90% water, we demonstrate that slight variations in hydrogel chemistry control gel degradation, evolving macroscopic properties, and ultimately the secretion and distribution of extracellular matrix molecules. Specifically, hydrogels were fabricated by a photoinitiated homo- or copolymerization of dimethacrylated poly(lactic acid)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactic acid) and/or multimethacrylated chondroitin sulfate macromers. By copolymerizing macromers with different structures and chemistries in the presence of cells, the eroding gel properties can be manipulated to guide and enhance tissue formation. For example, fast degrading crosslinks create open space for macroscopic tissue growth while slow degrading crosslinks maintain scaffold integrity and allow for tissue development. Diffusion limitations of the secreted matrix molecules further alter the local cellular environment and influence the overall and local composition of the evolving extracellular matrix. As will be demonstrated in this talk, by tuning scaffold chemistry, and subsequently, gel structure and degradation behavior, we can better guide cartilage tissue evolution and development.