Level DesignIntroduction – Sept. 7, 2012

Fall 2012Seth Sivak

SummaryIntroductionRulesTopicsGamesSyllabusResources and RequirementsIntroduction to Level Design

On the Index CardNameEmail/Google AccountDropbox AccountFavorite GameGames you are currently playing

Trouble with Teaching Game Design

Who am I?

Northeastern University (Mechanical Engineering

)

Carnegie Mellon

Entertainment

Technology Center

(Computer Science)

Disney Imagineering (Creative Technology

Group)

Winds of Orbis and

IGF (Programmi

ng and Design)

Conduit Labs

(Gameplay Programme

r)

Zynga Boston (Lead

Designer)

RulesBe an adult

Don’t be late (without prior notice)Hit your deadlinesDo your best workBe a team playerPay attention in class

No busyworkIf any assignment feels like busywork just come talk to me

CommunicateI am your producer, talk to me

RealitiesGame design is hardGame development is competitiveThis class is an opportunity, treat it like one

TopicsIntroduction to Level DesignMoment Based DesignArchitecting an ExperiencePuzzle DesignPlaytestingIndirect ControlFlow and TeachingWayfinding and Indirect ControlWorldbuilding and Storytelling

Games

SyllabusGoogle Calendar Link

https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=q136fnig629qgajuopjjqvd41o%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York

Thanksgiving!Story in GamesThe Player’s JourneyVisual StorytellingAnalysis: Gears of WarAnalysis: Diablo 2

ProjectsPortal 1 AnalysisPortal 2 AnalysisPuzzle Maker LevelAdvanced LevelMultiplayer LevelGroup LevelPost MortemPortfolio

GradesProjects – 85%Participation – 10%Weekly Analysis – 5%

Resources and Requirements

Steam Account (Windows Version)Portal 1Portal 2

Google AccountDropbox Account

LecturesSlideshare!

http://www.slideshare.net/sjsivak

YouTube!TBD

Introduction to Level Design

Game Design DefinitionsPlay

Voluntary, intrinsically motivated activity

GamePlay with a goalA series of interesting choices

ToyAn interactive object used during play

PuzzleA game with a dominant strategy

NarrativeEvents connected to a theme

Story A flow of events ordered to create an emotional outcome

What is Game Design?

Game design is the craft of designing experiences that will evoke a specific

emotional response.

Seriously, what is Game Design?

Designing systems, mechanics and stories

that allow for interesting, fun, moving, emotional

and challenging moments.

Skills of a Game Designer

Be a good listenerBe a good teacherBe a good playtester

Critical analysis of experiencesBecome a player

Be driven, inspired, creative and relentlessNever stop experiencing

What is Level Design?

Level design is the application of game

design.

What is Level Design?

WHAT!!!!

What is Level Design?

Level design is the craft of designing and building

experiences that will evoke a specific emotional

response.

Seriously, what is Level Design?

Using systems, mechanics and stories to create interesting, fun, moving, emotional and challenging moments.

What games need level design?

What makes a good level?

(discussion)

Additional Level Design Resources

http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/nsmb/0/3http://www.oldmanmurray.com/features/39.html

Analysis of Pac-man

Mechanics of Pac-manPellets – eat them all to complete the levelPower Pellets – use them to eat ghostsGhosts – get hit by one and lose a lifeBonus Fruit – eat them to get more pointsLives – lose all lives and the game ends

Systems of Pac-manMovement – always moves forward, move joystick to change directionScoring – extra lives at 10,000 points, high score Enemies – each one has a specific movement AISpawning – Enemies and Bonus Fruit spawn at set locationsTunnels – exit a tunnel one way, return on the other side

Story of Pac-man… Characters are interesting and deep

Level Design Considerations

Ghost spawn locationPellet locationsPower Pellet locationsBonus Fruit spawn locationTunnels

Gameplay Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uswzriFIf_k

Interesting MomentsBeating a levelEating a ghostEating a bonus fruitHaving a close callLosing a lifeOutsmarting a ghost

Good Game/Level Design is…

Creating opportunities for the player to make an interesting choice that results in an engaging

moment.

Assignment 1Create a Steam AccountGet Portal 1 and Portal 2Play through Portal 1

List any interesting moment (gameplay, story, visual)Level it took place onDescription of momentWhy it was interestingInterest Value (how interesting was it?)

Due Midnight 9/13 in Dropbox

Additional Pac-man Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pac-Manhttp://shaunew.github.com/Pac-Man/