FUNDAMENTALS OF GAME DESIGNGAME LEVEL DESIGN

Sayed AhmedBSc. Eng. in CSc. & Eng. (BUET)

MSc. in CSc. (U of Manitoba)

http://sayed.justetc.net

http://www.justETC.net

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Presented at the University of Winnipeg

Just E.T.C for Business, Education, and Technology Solutions

WHAT IS LEVEL DESIGN

Process of constructing the experience that will be offered to the player

Level designers create the following essential parts of the player’s experience The space in which the game takes place The initial conditions of the level The set of challenges the player will face within

the level The termination conditions of the level The interplay between the gameplay and the

game’s story The aesthetics and mood of the level 2

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KEY DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Make the early levels of a game tutorial levels Vary the pacing of the level When the player surmounts a challenge that

consumes his resource, provide more resources Avoid conceptual non sequiturs Clearly inform the player of his short-term goals Be clear about risks, rewards, and the

consequences of decisions Reward in a large way, punish in a small way The foreground takes precedence over the

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KEY DESIGN PRINCIPLES

The purpose of an artificial opponent is to put up a good fight and then lose

Implement multiple difficulty settings if possible

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GENRE-SPECIFIC LEVEL DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Action Games Vary the pace

Strategy Games Reward planning

Role-Playing Games Offer opportunities for character growth and

player self expression Sports-Games

Verisimilitude is vital Vehicle Simulations

Reward skillful maneuvering 5

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GENRE-SPECIFIC LEVEL DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Construction and Management Simulations Offer an interesting variety of initial conditions

and goals Adventure Games

Construct challenges that harmonize with their locations and the story

Artificial Life Games Create many interaction opportunities for the

creatures in their environment Puzzle Games

Give the player time to think6

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LAYOUTS OF THE GAME WORLD

Open Layouts Linear Layouts Parallel Layouts Ring Layouts Network Layouts Hub-and-Spoke Layouts Combinations of Layouts

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EXPANDING ON THE PRINCIPLES OF LEVEL DESIGN

Atmosphere Lighting Color Palette Weather and atmospheric effects Special visual effects Music Ambient audio Special Audio effects

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PROGRESSION AND PACING

Designing the Progression Mechanics Experience Duration Ancillary Rewards and Environmental Progression Practical gameplay rewards Difficulty Actions available to the player Story progression Character growth

Designing the Pacing Vary the Pacing Overall Pacing

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TUTORIAL LEVELS

Tutorial Levels A scripted or partially scripted experience

Explains Game’s user interface Key challenges Actions to the player

Use voiceover narration, text superimposed on the screen, special mentor character to explain things to the player

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THE LEVEL DESIGN PROCESS Planning Phase

Gameplay Planning Phase Layout Areas devoted to major challenges Pacing Termination Conditions Resource placements Player start and end points NPC positions and spawn points Elevations Secret areas Special event issues Landmarks Destruction Storytelling Save points and checkpoints

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THE LEVEL DESIGN PROCESS

Planning Phase ART Planning Phase Plan Performance Plan Coding

Prototyping Phase Level Review Phase

Scale Pacing Placement of objects and triggers Performance issues Other code issues Aesthetics

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THE LEVEL DESIGN PROCESS

Level Refinement and Lock-Down Level Design to Art Handoff First Art and Rigging Pass Art to Level Design Handoff and Review Content Integration Bug Fixing User Testing and Tuning

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PITFALLS OF LEVEL DESIGN

Get the Scope Right Avoid Conceptual Non Sequiturs Make Atypical Levels Optional Don’t show the player Everything at Once Never Lose Sight of Your Audience

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SUMMARY

The level designer is responsible for actually presenting the game experience to the player by designing The space in which the games take place Deciding what challenges a player will face Creating the atmosphere of the game worlds Planning the pacing of events for each level

Level design is governed by Some universal principles Some genre specific principles

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SUMMARY

Designing the actual layout of the level is important Enhance the playing experience

Level design requires interaction among The game’s design team Artists Programmers Audio team

Attention to detail and a methodical approach Will help to prevent level design pitfalls

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