Level Design

Game Design

Vishnu Kotrajaras, PhD

What in general?

See if artist got the wrong scale. See if gameplay supports enough

levels. Pestering people to fix problems.

Level in games

Normally, it is what can be put into memory at once. One level

– Space invaders– Centipede

Maps, accompany by objectives– StarCraft

Decorations– Sport games

Something for the players to construct from a single level– Civilization– SimCity

Level separation Difficulty and tension ramp upward toward

the end of a level.– Some mini-resolution at the end, such as boss, or

something to obtain.– When a player finish a level, he must feel proud.

How large the level is depends on the system memory.– Must load a new level if memory runs out.– Spyro the Dragon on PlayStation does not have to

load. Because Spyro flies into the air between levels. (new map can then be loaded.)

– Half-Life• In Quake, levels are

completely independent.

• Takes lots of time to load.

• Half-Life map is much smaller, but it has so many maps connected together.

– Fast loading time.

– Monsters can track you across the maps.

Level Order Big shoot out should be alternated with more

strategic or puzzle-oriented levels. Otherwise, it will look very unbalanced. Unreal

– Levels are independent, because there is no story. The importance here is just coolness.

Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine– Story is very important, so the levels must

correspond to it.– Design team and story team have to work hard.

– The level need not be planned to minute details, however.

– Leave it to the level designer.– The level designer must know what the

level wants to achieve, from the story point of view.

Level components Action

– How much action?• How many battles?

– Pacing• Intermissions

– Must know enemy AI and design the map that will lead to interesting conflicts.

– Must know the place players can use for cover.– Set up the level to encourage players to come up

with their own strategy.

Exploration– Player that sees the map for the first time

will always be tempted to explore. It’s fun.– Must think ahead of how player will explore

the level.– The fun depends on how the level flows

and what the player has to do to reach new area.

– Does the game only has 1 path, or more?• A very action-oriented game normally has 1

path.

– Will the path be obscured, or obvious?– FFXI

Puzzle solving– Switch flipping in FPS.

• Exploring until the player finds the puzzle.

• Easy.

– Moves mirrors so a laser can reflect to the correct position.

• More clever type of puzzle.

– How much will you have puzzle?

Storytelling– RPG

• Must set up levels to support appearances of NPC.

– Historical war game• Level must be set up according to history.

Aesthetics– Look and feel.– But this should not be the first priority.– Because beautifulness can affect

gameplay.• Example, gorgeous cathedral• Hard for player to navigate.• Hard for AI to find path through it.• Engine may not handle the detail.

– Must balance beautifulness with other aspects.

• Fewest polygons while still looking good.

– Put the texture to guide player where he cannot go.

– Lighting can hide secret areas.• Puzzle can be used to set the light.

– Making a hard-to-get-to area looks fabulous. This will reward the player.

Level flow Mario, Tomb Raider, Doom

– Plays through a distinct beginning to a separate end point.

– The main part is exploring the level.– Once a player pass, the level becomes

less fun.• Scripted encounter causes player experience of

the level to remain the same.

– The flow is more or less linear, with additional few choices.

– Racing game is also like this.

Grand Turismo

RPG– A bit more non-linearity.– The designer usually intend that the player

navigate to a particular location in a particular way.

– Hub style gameplay allows player to branch off, with a central return point, such as a town.

– Similar flow, compared to action titles.

Strategy– Include Quake Death Match. (exploration is not

fun here, but is needed for winning.)– Include sports.– Level flow is less clearly defined.– Exploration is not the main part of enjoyment.– Battles may take place on any part of the map.– Battle can move from one location to another.– Certain sections of the map may never be used.– The level flow is less predictable.– Variation example: Civilization hasn’t got breaks,

while WarCraft has.

Quake 3 Arena

Example of a Quake Building

How come no one notices how strange this looks?

Militia Map in Counterstrike

Why is that valley so weird looking?

Good levels Player cannot get stuck.

– Example, use dynamite to blow up traps.– If use all dynamite before disarming all traps, the

player get stuck.– It takes a lot of planning.

Sub-goals– Various task that contribute to the final goal.– Example:

• check point in racing games.• Sub-quests in RPG. Payer gets reward that help them

with the main goal.

– Must make it clear, so player knows he is progressing.

Landmarks– Help ease the player’s exploration.

Limited backtracking– Player will not be interested in backtracking

through the level that he just passed.– But this may be ok in RPG, where we may want it

to be realistic travel.• Provide alternative transport then.

Success the first time– Must have appropriate difficulty.– Allow good, observant player to pass the first time.– Others, with more experience, will be able to pass

later.

Navigable areas clearly marked– Reachable slope should appear different

from non-reachable slope.– Do not let player play by trial and errors.

• Door 10 doors, only 1 is unlocked.• Boring.

Choices– Paths, ways or methods to accomplish

goal.– Places in battles. Item in dangerous

area ,to be chosen whether to pick it up.

process Wait till get the final movements of main

character.– Remember to do prototype with level first.

Sketch outline– Must understand what the level is going to

do, from design and story viewpoint.– Then do pencil and paper sketch.– Make the most important part first.– This sketch can be shown to the team.

Base architecture– Just make sure player can access the level well.

Repeat last topic until navigating starts to be fun. (still focus on normal navigation)

Add parts that use player’s moves.– Placing monsters.– Items.– Puzzles.– NPC.– Starting unit placements.– Later reinforcements.

Refine gameplay until it is fun Refine beauty Final playtest

All about architecture

The Role of Architecture in Videogames

Reality is for suckers We can’t easily turn 3D worlds into 2D

maps in our heads!

1. Levels of Scale

A balanced range of sizes is pleasing and beautiful.

2. Strong Centers

Good design offers areas of focus or weight.

3. Boundaries

Outlines focus attention on the center.

4. Alternating Repetition

Repeating various elements creates a sense of order and harmony.

5. Positive Space

The background should reinforce rather than detract from the center.

6. Good Shape

Simple forms create an intense, powerful center.

7. Local Symmetries

Organic, small scale symmetry works better than precise, overall symmetry.

8. Deep Interlock and Ambiguity

Looping, connected elements promote unity and grace.

9. Contrast

Unity is achieved with visible opposites.

10. Gradients

The proportional use of space and pattern promotes harmony.

11. Roughness

Texture and imperfection convey uniqueness and life.

12. Echoes

Similarities should repeat throughout a design.

13. The Void

Empty spaces offer calm and contrast.

14. Simplicity and Inner Calm

Use only essentials; avoid extraneous elements.

Summary

Game Spaces are not sculpted based on reality. You will sculpt them in order to:– Give rewards and challenges appropriately– Build and break suspense– Create certain feelings– Send a message– Allow for the game action you would like– Help people find their way– Clarify some things, obscure others– Stay within limits of your technology– Control people into the experience you want