Downloaded 46 times
Uploaded byMartin Sillaots
Level Design
This document discusses level design for computer games. It covers the nature of level design, including the space, initial conditions, challenges, and aesthetics. It also discusses universal level design principles such as tutorial levels, varying progression, rewarding players, and punishing less. Genre-specific principles for different game types are also outlined. Common level layouts including linear, parallel, ring, network, hub-and-spoke, and combined are defined. Finally, the level design process from planning to testing is summarized.
More Related Content
More from Martin Sillaots
Level Design
- 1. Level Design Design ofComputer Games Martin Sillaots Aug 8 2019 # 12
- 2. Content • Nature ofLevel Design • Design Principles • Layouts • Level Design Process
- 3. Nature of LevelDesign • Space in which the game takes place • Initial conditions for the levels • Set of challenges the player will face within the level • Termination conditions for the levels • Interplay between the gameplay and the game’s story • Aesthetics and mood of the level
- 4. Universal Level DesignPrinciples • First levels are tutorial levels • Vary the progression and pacing of the level • Provide enough resources • Avoid conceptual mismatches • Inform players about short-term goals • Be clear about risks and rewards • Reward player • Reward in a large way, punish in a small way • The foreground takes precedence over the background • The purpose of NPC is to provide a good fight and then lose • Implement multiple difficulty settings if possible
- 5. Genre-Specific Level DesignPrinciples • Action games - vary the tempo • Strategy games - reward planning • Role-playing games - opportunities for growth and self- expression • Sports games - close to the real world • Vehicle simulation - reward skillful maneuvering • Construct and management – offer different scenarios • Adventure games - challenges related with the locations • Artificial life - provide lot of interactions with the creatures • Puzzle games - give time to think
- 6. Linear Parallel Ring Network Hub-and-SpokeCombined Ref: Ernst Adams, Fundamentals of Game Design Level Layouts
- 8. Level Design Process •Level Design Handoff • Planning Phase • Prototyping • Level Review • 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
Editor's Notes
- #5 First levels are tutorial levels Vary the progression and pacing of the level Provide enough resources - When the player surmounts a challenge that consumes his resources, provide more resources Avoid conceptual mismatches Inform players about short-term goals Be clear about risks and rewards - the consequences of decisions Reward player - for skill, imagination, intelligence, and dedication Reward in a large way, punish in a small way - success motivates players more than the fear of failure does The foreground takes precedence over the background The purpose of an artificial opponent is to put up a good fight and then lose Implement multiple difficulty settings if possible
- #6 Action games - vary the tempo - Players must be able to rest, both physically and mentally, between bouts of high-speed action Strategy games - reward planning - Give players defensible locations to build in and advantageous positions to attack from, but let the players discover these places for themselves Role-playing games - Offer opportunities for character growth and player self-expression Sports games - close to the real world - each match played as a level Vehicle simulation - reward skilful manoeuvring Construct and management simulations - Offer an interesting variety of initial conditions and goals - scenarios rather than levels Adventure games - harmonise challenges with the locations and the story - A chapter is the adventure game equivalent of a level. Artificial life games - provide lot of interactions with the creatures Puzzle games - give time to think - pause game
- #7 + Open – war games, role games Linear – one way doors, dead locks, Adventure, platform Parallel – different risk and reward Ring – Racing Network – freedom to move any direction, difficult to tell a story – fighting games, shooters Hub – safe place, Spokes – challenges – all available at the same time. Combined – adventure games
- #8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN7iLKUR8eY