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TIGSource ForumsCommunityTownhallForum IssuesArchived subforums (read only)TutorialsLevel Design Primer Series
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Author Topic: Level Design Primer Series  (Read 18887 times)
Alec S.
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« on: January 07, 2014, 04:31:21 PM »

I've decided to start a series of articles on level design and what goes into it. More specifically, level design as it pertains to single player (or coop) games, and not multiplayer competitive games (that's a whole other topic). I'll start with the basics of building a level out of discrete challenges, and move on to topics including teaching through level design, non-linear level design, verticality, and environmental storytelling. I will also break down levels from existing games to analyze what is going on from a design perspective. I will also have interactive examples to demonstrate the concepts I'm discussing.

Part 1:  The Challenge
Part 2:  Fitting Challenges to Mechanics
Part 3:  Obstacles and Player Choice
Part 4:  Mental Obstacles
Part 5:  Pacing Challenges
Part 6:  Planning Out Levels
Part 7:  Non-linear Level Designvel Design
Part 8:  Gating and Implicit Linearity
Part 9:  Navigation Through Non-Linear Levels
Part 10:  The Revenge of Planning Out Levels
Part 11:  Designing Around Failure
Part 12:  Hubs and Shortcuts
Part 13:  Level Geometry
Part 14:  Composition
Part 15:  Naturalism
Part 16:  Environmental Storytelling
Part 17: Tension and Release
Part 18: Emergent Objectives
Part 19: Familiar and Unfamiliar Space
« Last Edit: March 03, 2015, 12:04:07 PM by Alec S. » Logged

alvarop
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« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2014, 10:21:50 AM »

I really like the fact that you're putting interactive examples to understand as we go. I'm going to follow this one, as I'm having a lot of trouble with level design.

How often do you plan on updating it?
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Alec S.
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« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2014, 10:28:25 AM »

My goal is to try to update it weekly.
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alvarop
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« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2014, 10:42:37 AM »

I'll follow that Twitter then. Good luck and thanks!  Gomez
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Alec S.
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« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2014, 02:35:00 PM »

Posted Part 2:  http://renegadesector.com/level-design-primer-2-fitting-challenges-to-mechanics/
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« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2014, 06:34:00 PM »

This is cool stuff dude. Definitely interested to see all those topics fleshed out, as this is a big weak spot for me too.

The second demo in part 2 doesn't have an exit. It doesn't prevent the demo from getting the point across or anything, just a minor OCD nitpick.
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Alec S.
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« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2014, 11:59:50 PM »

Thanks, man!  I'll try to get around to fixing that problem in the example.
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« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2014, 02:27:00 AM »

I'm enjoying these tutorials, the little demonstration games in particular are an especially neat idea for getting points across.  Looking forward to see how this develops.
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alvarop
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« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2014, 05:53:51 AM »

Nice second part. The interactive parts, again, are great.
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Alec S.
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« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2014, 09:02:36 PM »

Part 3:  http://renegadesector.com/2014/01/level-design-primer-part-3-obstacles-and-player-choice/
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rocket5tim
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« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2014, 11:54:48 AM »

Great work! Love the interactive examples.
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Alec S.
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« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2014, 10:58:36 AM »

Thanks, everyone!

Part 4 - Mental Obstacles:  http://renegadesector.com/2014/01/level-design-primer-4-mental-obstacles/
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Kinaetron
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« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2014, 11:20:32 AM »

nice series you got going on here
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« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2014, 01:31:03 PM »

Just read the first (will do the others when I get a spare moment), the fact that it's been broken down into bitesize chunks with playable demo's is really informative.

The language you've used is very similar to my own notes; I'm using goal and limit to describe my challenges :-)

It's odd, cause I recall the games of my childhood never ever having tutorials or on-screen information, they always presented a new challenge and let you get on with it. When done right this was really rewarding, when wrong just infuriating!
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InfiniteStateMachine
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« Reply #14 on: February 02, 2014, 05:53:30 PM »

Really nicely done. Keeping my eye on this.
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Alec S.
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« Reply #15 on: February 04, 2014, 11:52:10 AM »

Thanks, guys!  Glad you're enjoying.

Part 5:  Pacing Challenges
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alvarop
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« Reply #16 on: February 04, 2014, 10:04:23 PM »

Re-read the tutorials tonight. They really help me keep things in mind as I work on my stuff. The last one is good too. I feel like the next one is going to be a good one!
« Last Edit: February 04, 2014, 10:18:38 PM by alvarop » Logged

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« Reply #17 on: February 06, 2014, 03:32:53 AM »

I've read the tutorial and  it's truly brillant!
Thanks
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Alec S.
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« Reply #18 on: February 11, 2014, 07:29:58 PM »

Part 6:  Planning Out Levels
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Alec S.
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« Reply #19 on: February 18, 2014, 03:56:33 PM »

Part 7: Non-linear Level Designvel Design
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