Game Development Essentials: An Introduction

Third Edition

Chapter 7Levels

creating the world

Key Chapter Questions ■ What is level design and how is it related to gameplay?

■ What is the importance of the structural features of game worlds—such as duration, availability, relationship, and progression?

■ What is the importance of the temporal features of game worlds—such as authentic, variable, player-adjusted, and altered?

■ What is the importance of the spatial features of game worlds—such as perspective, scale, and boundaries?

■ How are reality and style achieved in a game environment?

StructureObjectives

Free Realms

Sony Online Entertainment

StructureFlow

God of War III

Sony Computer Entertainment America

StructureDuration

Wario Land: Shake It!

Nintendo

StructureAvailability

Wii Sports Resort

Nintendo

StructureRelationship

Global AgendaMission Selection (above)

Desert & Water Missions (right)All images Hi-Rez Studios

StructureProgression

Diagram by Per Olin

TimeAuthentic

World of Warcraft

Blizzard

TimeLimited

FarmVille

XxSugarLoveX (Photobucket)

TimeVariable

Ultima Online

Electronic Arts

TimePlayer-Adjusted

Madden NFL 11

Electronic Arts

TimeAltered

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands

Ubisoft

SpacePerspective & Camera

Omnipresent

Halo Wars

Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation

SpacePerspective & Camera

Aerial (Top-Down)

Railroad Tycoon 3

Take- Two Interactive

SpacePerspective & Camera

Isometric

Anno 1404

Ubisoft

SpacePerspective & Camera

Side-Scrolling (or Flat/Side-View)

Shadow Complex New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Take- Two Interactive Nintendo

SpaceTerrain & Materials

Killzone 2 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Sony Computer Entertainment America Nintendo

SpaceRadiosity & Effects

Jets ’N’ Guns Gold

Rake In Grass Games

SpaceScale

Making History II: The War of the World EverQuest II

Muzzy Lane Sony Online Entertainment

SpaceBoundaries

Flight Simulator X: Acceleration

Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation

SpaceRealism

Major League Baseball 2K11

Take- Two Interactive

SpaceStyle

Flower Resident Evil 5

Sony Computer Entertainment America Capcom

Summary

■ Level Design

■ Structure

■ Time

■ Space

■ Space & Time: Levels, Gameplay & Story