Transcript
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/
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