Last updated on Jun 23, 2024
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Understand Basics
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Balance Challenge
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Focus on Aesthetics
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Implement Feedback
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Test Thoroughly
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Here’s what else to consider
Mastering game level design is an intricate dance of creativity and technical skill. You're not just creating a space for players to navigate; you're crafting an experience that should captivate and challenge them. Whether you're a seasoned designer or a newcomer to the gaming industry, understanding the principles of level design is crucial. It's about more than just placing enemies and items; it's about evoking emotions and creating memorable moments. The journey to becoming a master of game level design can be as thrilling as gameplay itself, so let's dive into the strategies that will help you create levels that players will talk about for years to come.
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- Ben Sarraille Co-founder @ Makeshift | xMrBeast, MPhil Cambridge | Posts about UGC games, creators, and content
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- Mark Mocherad Level Designer, Level Artist
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1 Understand Basics
Before diving into complex design strategies, ensure you have a solid grasp of the basics. Understanding game mechanics, which are the rules and systems that govern how players interact with the game world, is essential. You should also be familiar with the concept of flow, the state where players are fully immersed and experiencing enjoyment from the gameplay. This requires balancing difficulty so that it's neither too hard nor too easy, which can be achieved by adjusting variables like enemy strength, puzzle complexity, or available resources.
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- Ben Sarraille Co-founder @ Makeshift | xMrBeast, MPhil Cambridge | Posts about UGC games, creators, and content
Rule 0: understand context.Before you dive into the world of your game, ask where the player will enter it from. On mobile, with a smaller screen that can fit fewer objects? On PC where they could be tabbing in and out? How you should approach difficulty, visuals, and mechanics all stems from the player's experience with systems and controls. Keep sight of that, and if every in doubt: get a completely new player to try what you've made, and interrogate yourself over any difficulty they have.
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- Mark Mocherad Level Designer, Level Artist
To truly grasp design basics, one must step into the role of a player. Immersing oneself in gameplay is key to unlocking these fundamentals.Here's how to level up your understanding:- Engage with games that share similar mechanics to your focus area, whether it's eSports, shooters, or match 3 games.- Take detailed notes as you play, jotting down what you enjoy, what needs improvement, and ideas for enhancing your own game mechanics.- Identify common patterns across the games you experience, unveiling crucial insights into the foundational elements of design.Playing the game as a player is the first step towards mastering the art of game design.
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See Also8 Amazing Games That Are Just Too ShortExploring the Benefits of Video Games in EducationA Hybrid Approach to Procedural Generation of Roguelike Video Game Levels | Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital GamesMastering the Art of Level Design in Video Games - The Gaming Mecca- Report contribution
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- Roman Chaplinski Level designer @ 314 Arts OHG | Crafting immersive game levels
It is important to say that "understand mechanics" means not only to know what you can do but also metrics. For example, maximum height of jumping mech.However, don't be too strict with them. For example, if jumping height is 1m, put the object lower to ensure any player will be able to jump on it. This will make your level more Comfortable to play. Also, you shouldn't take real life proportions of objects, although, sometimes they may be okay. Instead, you should playtest the scale and see how it feels for your controller.
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2 Sketch Ideas
Visualization is a powerful tool in level design. Start by sketching your ideas on paper or using digital tools. This initial blueprint doesn't have to be perfect; it's a space for you to experiment with different layouts and gameplay elements. Think about the player's journey through the level—where will they start, what challenges will they face, where will they find moments of relief? Sketching allows you to quickly iterate on your design, making it easier to find the best flow for your level.
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- Mark Mocherad Level Designer, Level Artist
Create rough sketches or flow plans when considering landmarks and points of interest. To avoid complexity, start with simple designs and enhance them gradually. Remember to keep details minimal, as elaborate layouts can become outdated swiftly. Utilize notes and descriptions for specific areas.
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- Roman Chaplinski Level designer @ 314 Arts OHG | Crafting immersive game levels
Before to go to 3D, I collect references (as many as I can cuz the more = the better) and draw Parti sketch. It doesn't require good drawing skills, it is fast and easy. Moreover, sketches in general help to overcome blank page syndrome. Nevertheless, some designer advice not to use any sketches and go directly to 3D. So, figure out what is best for you.
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3 Balance Challenge
Creating a balanced level is pivotal to keeping players engaged. Too difficult, and they'll get frustrated; too easy, and they'll get bored. Use playtesting to gauge the challenge of your level. Get feedback from a variety of players and pay attention to where they struggle or lose interest. Use this information to adjust the difficulty curve, ensuring that each section of your level presents an appropriate challenge that scales with the player's skill and progress.
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- Mark Mocherad Level Designer, Level Artist
To ensure your level hits the perfect balance, follow my best practices:- Regularly test your levels with a diverse group of players. This helps you understand how different players interact with your game.- Gather and analyze detailed feedback from your playtesters. Focus on pinpointing where players struggle or lose interest.- Use the feedback to identify patterns and make necessary adjustments. Fine-tune the difficulty curve to ensure each part of your level scales appropriately with the player's skill and progress.- Game design is an iterative process. Continuously refine your levels based on ongoing feedback and testing.
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4 Focus on Aesthetics
A level's aesthetics are just as important as its gameplay. The environment should complement the game's theme and enhance the player's immersion. Pay attention to the use of color, lighting, and textures to set the mood. Is your level dark and foreboding, or bright and inviting? The visual design can also serve as a guide, subtly leading the player through the level with visual cues. Remember, the best-designed levels are those where form and function are in harmony.
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- Mark Mocherad Level Designer, Level Artist
The visual aspect of a level is crucial in gaming, as it provides players with essential information and enhances immersion. When crafting level design documents, outlining elements like game style, setting, world context, and intended mood is key. Moodboards, often created by artists, have gained popularity for setting the tone of a level effectively.Perform a basic lighting pass to guide players and highlight key positions, like enemy entry points.
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5 Implement Feedback
Incorporating feedback is vital in refining your level design. After playtesting, listen to what players liked and disliked about their experience. Be open to criticism and willing to make changes—even if it means reworking parts of your level that you're fond of. The goal is to create the best experience for your players, and often they'll provide insights that you might have overlooked. Iteration is key; with each round of feedback and adjustments, your level will become more polished and enjoyable.
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- Roman Chaplinski Level designer @ 314 Arts OHG | Crafting immersive game levels
Feedback is one of the most important tools for level designer. Your level is perfect till someone plays it, you know. Sometimes you will get surprising results that you would never ever consider.However, even if you need to start the level all over again - remember that it is not personal and only beneficial for the overall gaming experience. It is always better to work twice as long than produce poor quality in short turn.
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6 Test Thoroughly
Finally, rigorous testing is crucial for any game level. Play through your levels multiple times, looking for bugs, exploits, or design flaws. Testing isn't just about finding glitches; it's also about ensuring that the gameplay experience is smooth and consistent. Try to approach your level from different angles—what happens if a player tries an unconventional strategy? Is there enough variety in gameplay to keep it interesting? Testing should be thorough and exhaustive to ensure that when players dive into your level, they're getting the best version of your creative vision.
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- Mark Mocherad Level Designer, Level Artist
Testing playtest data and feedback is crucial to evaluate a level's performance. Acting on this feedback is key to improvement. Creating actionable points based on playtest feedback and making necessary adjustments is essential for progress. Optimization ensures technical soundness and performance. Polishing enhances visuals and fine-tunes balancing, pacing, and scripting for improved quality. Frequent testing throughout iteration, optimization, and polishing phases is vital. Repeat these steps as needed to achieve a shippable state.
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7 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
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- Roman Chaplinski Level designer @ 314 Arts OHG | Crafting immersive game levels
Don't forget to learn theory as well. Here is the list of resources I like:YT channelsGDCNoclip - Video Game DocumentariesBauerDesignSolutionsSteve Lee (Level and Game Design)Books:101 Things I Learned in Architecture SchoolAn Architectural Approach to Level DesignLevel Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design
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- Mark Mocherad Level Designer, Level Artist
It's important to remember that not all feedback is accurate, particularly when it comes to the game's release on Steam. It's essential not to dwell on negative comments and toxic behavior. Instead, focus on your objectives and enhancing the game. Don't let others deter you from your path to success.
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