Level design like an architectChristopher Totten
East Coast Game Conference 2015
Christopher Totten - @totter87
Chris TottenGame Artist in Residence – American University
Chair – IGDA DC
Founder – Pie For Breakfast Studios
Author – Game Character Creation in Blender and Unity and An Architectural Approach to Level Design
20+ conference presentations and game exhibitions
Christopher Totten - @totter87
Bounden –Game Oven,
2015
Independent Games Festival
2015 NuovoAward finalist
Christopher Totten - @totter87
Level design like an architect
How to see like an architect
How to play like an architect
How to plan like an architect
How to design like an architect
Christopher Totten - @totter87
How to see like an architect
Christopher Totten - @totter87
What designers think about and look for as they play video games and explore real-world spaces.
1. Learn why a building was built, what it was for, and what it is now
2. Look up as you walk around
3. Sense the space by its size, shape, and how it interacts with light, sound, and other spaces
4. Train your eye to understand the structure of the building
5. Determine how materials are working – compression or tension, heavy or light
6. Determine how the building was constructed
7. Examine historic precedents of the building
8. Analyze the composition, proportions, and rhythms of building elements
9. Observe the appropriateness of the building to its setting
10. Analyze what makes the building special from others
Christopher Totten - @totter87
1. Identify what gameplay occurs in the space – what mechanics are supported?
2. Look up and down as you walk around – notice highlighted visual elements and verticality
3. Sense the space by its size, shape, and how it interacts with light, sound, and other spaces.
4. Analyze the pacing of the level. Are you moved quickly or can you explore at your own pace?
5. Is there one gameplay style represented in the level or are multiple player styles supported?
6. How does the level express the narrative of the game?
7. Examine any historical or gameplay precedents
8. Analyze the composition, proportions, and rhythms of environment art elements
9. How does the level geometry compare with the movement capabilities of your avatar?
10. What environment art is repeated? Is this art interactive and does it correspond to a gameplay mechanic?
Christopher Totten - @totter87
How to play like an architect
Christopher Totten - @totter87
How game designers can get the most out of their experiences with game levels by documenting what they see and experience with sketches and diagrams.
How to play like an architect
Christopher Totten - @totter87Source: fireside.gamejolt.com/post/take-note-why-having-a-sketchbook-shouldn-t-be-overlooked-ryuy4mwe
How to plan like an architect
Christopher Totten - @totter87
“Pre-design” methods that help architects establish priorities for usability in their designs for multiple types of users.
How to plan like an architect
Christopher Totten - @totter87
Parti – A drawing or model that describes the core formal elements of a design.
How to design like an architect
Christopher Totten - @totter87
Methods of creating, managing, and assembling game art assets in such a way for maximum usabilty and communication with players as they play your levels.
Thank you!
Christopher Totten - @totter87
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @totter87
www.ChrisTotten3D.com
www.PFBStudios.com
american.edu/gamelab