Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a...

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Transcript of Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a...

Page 1: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design
Page 2: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Level Design Pre-Production

Page 3: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Who am I?

� Ed Byrne

� 12 Years as a game designer

� Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG

� Wrote a book on level design

� [email protected]

Page 4: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

This Morning’s Hypothesis

� You have been assigned the task of driving a level design team through several months of pre-production

� Triple AAA FPS as common ground

Page 5: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Pre-production is…

� The creative space between concept and manufacture

� Goal: create instructions for production

Page 6: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

The Design Process

Game DesignDocument

Level DesignPreproduction

DesignProduction

Ship it!

Page 7: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

The Design Process

Game DesignDocument

Level DesignPreproduction

DesignProduction

Ship it!

Often

lump

ed

Togethe

r! But

Hard

to do in

Parallel!

Page 8: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

In Film…

� “During pre-production, the script is broken down into individual scenes and all the locations, props, cast members, costumes, special effects and visual effects are identified”

-- Wikipedia

Page 9: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

A Game Level is…

� A container for gameplay

� An rollercoaster

Page 10: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Story Progression

Level DesignHappens Here!

Gameplay Ingredients

Page 11: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Benefits

� Explore ideas without restraintbrainstorming and prototyping

� Solidify intent

refining the macro-scale design

� Emulsification of design

mixing the ingredients before baking

� Harmonisation

getting the whole team on the same page

Page 12: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Unfortunately…

Often overlooked as unnecessary waste of resources and time.

Often not used well

� Unfocused

� Focused on non-essentials

� Goes too deep too quickly

� Spawn prototypes/use up departmental resources without solid theory

Page 13: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

For Best Results…

� 3-6 months

� Dedicated space

� Cross-discipline representation

At the very least, a writer!

� Defined output expectations

� Frequent reviews

But no milestones!

Page 14: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Diff’rent Strokes

Your studio, project, team is unique.

Nothing here is standard and you’ll

need to find out what works for your

specific needs.

Page 15: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Tip: Universal Clarity

� Make sure all level designers understand the design, concept and requirements of the game

� People participate less when they feel uninformed or out of the loop

Page 16: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Your Raw Material

� Narrative

� Player metrics

� Core ingredients

� Concept art

� Flow Model

*significantly easier for a sequel, BTW!

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 17: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Step 1:Initial Brainstorming

� Groups of 4-10

� Moderator

� Internet-enabled computer and projector

� Whiteboard or Giant Post-Its

� Note taker

� Sessions of no more than two hours

Goal: Create abstracts!

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 18: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Tip: War Rooms

� War rooms are dedicated spaces for brainstorming and pre-production

� Take over a dedicated space like a conference room or large office

� Keep it as a living record of progress

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 19: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 20: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 21: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Step 2:Abstracts

� Concept

� Position in Narrative

� Environment to exist in

� Beginning

� Ending

� Goal(s)

� Challenge(s) to overcome between the player and the goal

� Reward

� A way of handling Failure

� Goal: enough detail to convey the fundamental intentions of the level

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 22: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

This is the Easy Part…

� Conference of the Living Dead, Level 1

� Concept: Extract with Coray Seifert

� Environment: Moscone centre

� Beginning: Barricaded bathrooms

� Ending: Climactic rooftop escape via jetpack

� Goal: Get Coray to the roof uninfected

� Challenge: Zombified conference associates

� Reward: Coray is now an available member of your zombie survival team

� Failure: Coray is zombified and must be cured!

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 23: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Step 3:Encounters

Abstracts are recipes for fun

Encounters are created by combining game ingredients – like a delicious cake!

Encounter examples:

� Puzzles

� Battles

� Bosses

� Traps

� Races

� Gates

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 24: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Mapping the Graph

� Peaks on the graph

� Encounters are usually spaced out with non-encounter space (empty rooms, downtime, etc.) the low points on the graph

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 25: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Brainstorming Encounters

� Still valid as a group

� Strike teams or individually, per “type”

� Critique for possible cuts and out-of-scope ideas

Goal: Create as many fun encounters as you can.

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 26: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Tip: Maintain Portability

� Keep encounter ideas portable so they can be transported and arranged easily

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 27: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Tip: Leave No Idea Behind

� Sketchbooks and journals

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 28: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Step 4:Cell Diagrams

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

� Encounter sequence or network

� Rough draft of player progression and flow

� Highlights major beats in gameplay and story

� Exposes initial concerns

Page 29: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Napkins are Your Friend

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 30: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Putting It to the Wall

Review cells diagrams side by side:

� Ensure consistency of experience

� Ensure certain levels aren’t overloadedor underloaded*

� Evaluate scope

*Yeah, I just made that word up.

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 31: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Watercooler Moments

� Unique or powerful encounters

� Identify and foster these encounters now

� Ensure sparing use and equal distribution based on narrative and game’s overall rhythm

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 32: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Start Acquiring Visuals

� Scour Google for reference images:

� Landmarks

� Characters

� Situations

� Environments

� One image per encounter

� Helps to visualise and identify the encounters at this stage

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 33: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Step 5:Pitch & Collect Criticism

Pitch meetings:

� Cross disciplinary, key ‘players’

� Have visuals but walk through verbally

� Don’t brainstorm, but record all feedback

� Go back to the drawing board if necessary -- cuts made now are easy

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 34: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Rework IS Inevitable

� Level designers need to understand and absorb criticism

� By definition design is iterative

� Need external critique to ensure you aren’t too close to the product to see problems

� Consider art classes, reviews, critique training for junior level designers.

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 35: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Step 6:Encounter Models

Iterating your encounters

� Manipulative

� Technical

� Illustrative

� Interactive

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 36: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

ManipulativeConcept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

• LEGO• Table-top props• Playdough

Page 37: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Manipulative

Benefits:

� Tactile

� Encourages play

� Dynamic for co-operative design

� Quickly rearranged

� Can potentially see vertical scale and proportions better

Cons:

� Not very portable or easily reproducible

� Forces visualization to be simplified

� Not archival

� Not as easy to read/interpret for others on the team

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Keyword: Spatial

Page 38: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

TechnicalConcept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

• Pen and paper • Illustrator program

• Geographic maps

Page 39: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Technical

Benefits:

� Scalable

� High level of detail

� Archival and reproducible

� Easier to read/interpret for others on the team

� Cons:

� Not tactile or co-operative

� Not as good for showing vertical scale

� Easy to over complicate

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Keyword: Detail

Page 40: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

IllustrativeConcept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

• Photo collage• Storyboard• Video montage• Pre-vis video

Page 41: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Illustrative

Benefits:

� Better sense of the visual/immersive target

� Better to show final “look and feel”

� Promotes excitement and acceptance

Cons:

� Not abstract – hard to hand off to Art

� Some experiences may be taken too literally

� Subject to quality of acquired footage

� Can’t show exact gameplay

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Keyword: Feel

Page 42: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

InteractiveConcept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

• Game editors

• Game creators applications

Page 43: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Interactive

Benefits:

� Cuts to the gameplay

� Shows exact intentions and results

� Possible to use as a platform for final development

� Modular – break down and reuse

Cons:

� Not abstract – danger of “target fixation”

� Subject to technical skill, existing tech

� Not easily transportable

� Visuals may be considered off-putting

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Keyword: Play

Page 44: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Step 7:Walkthroughs

� Written narrative of player’s experience

� Encompasses most (maybe not all –GTA) level elements in fine detail

� Quickly solidifies intent and scope

� Starts to fill in empty spaces

� Cheap to make!

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 45: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Step 8:Costing and Buyoff

� Last chance to bring up risk factors

� Clarity of presentation is key

� Gather constructive feedback

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 46: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Key Deliverables

� Paper Design: for the people who will be working in the level

� Asset lists: for those indirectly supporting the level

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 47: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Step 10:Paper Design

This is the most important product of your process – the instructions for manufacture!

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 48: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

“Paper” Design

Doesn’t need to be the same technique for every level designer:

� Pen and paper*

� Visio

� Illustrator

Don’t do it in 3D now – this is ‘whiteboxing’ and comes later.

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

* Paper always saves!

Page 49: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Something for Everyone

� The Producer and Leads

� The Programming team

� The Art and Audio teams

� The Cinematic team

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 50: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Global Standards

� Use a master key (iconography)

� Use a standard scale

� Define special requirements

� Naming convention!

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 51: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

High-to-Low

Multiple passes for safety

� Work from the encounters first then fill in the spaces

� Don’t be afraid to iterate – this is the place!

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 52: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Hazards and Items

� Player Items

� Hazards

� Cover and Interactive Props

� Checkpoints

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 53: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

AI Considerations

� Start Points

� Movement and stimuli

� Detection Range

� Initial behavior

� Special properties

� Trigger conditions

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 54: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Triggers and Events

� Highlight trigger areas and consequences of entering them

� Give people a feel for the level, types of interactivity

� Cinematics and scripted sequences.

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 55: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Interior Details

� Static and dynamic obstacles

� Stairs

� Elevators

� Corridors and passageways

� Doorways and openings

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 56: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Game Specifics

� Racing: Banks and racing lines

� Stealth: Shadow and sanctuary

� FPS: Power-ups and Ammo

� Tactical Shooter: Cover and high ground

� RTS: Buildable ground, resources

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 57: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Callouts and Sub-maps

� Keep the paper map uncluttered

� Use callouts to “zoom in” to smaller areas and expand them

� Use sub-maps or divide into multiples maps logically (floors on a building, etc.)

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 58: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

Bonus:Asset Manifests

Feed your support teams:

� Objects and characters

� VO

� Music and ambient audio

� SFX and environmental needs

� Special interactions

Concept

InitialBrainstorm

Abstracts

Encounters

CellDiagrams

Buyoff

PaperDesign

Pitching

EncounterIteration

Walkthru

Page 59: Level Design Pre-Productiontwvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/gdc10/slides/2_Ed...Ed Byrne 12 Years as a game designer Splinter Cell, Harry Potter, SOCOM and MAG Wrote a book on level design

That’s Preproduction Folks!

� You’ve won! Now onto the next level ☺


200601 TOTS Web - SOCOM

200601 TOTS Web - SOCOM

Osama bin Laden Abbottabad Compound Document: English - SOCOM-2012-0000017 Trans

Osama bin Laden Abbottabad Compound Document: English - SOCOM-2012-0000017 Trans

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS … 3500.42B.pdf · 1 Oct 12 MARINE CORPS ORDER 3500.42B From: To: Subj : Ref: Encl : ... SOCOM 350-6 SOCOM Insertion/Extraction Manual (NOTAL)

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS … 3500.42B.pdf · 1 Oct 12 MARINE CORPS ORDER 3500.42B From: To: Subj : Ref: Encl : ... SOCOM 350-6 SOCOM Insertion/Extraction Manual (NOTAL)

SEVENinis.jinr.ru/sl/Simulation/Tannehill,_CFM_and_Heat_Transfer,2_ed/... · CHAPTER SEVEN NUMERICAL METHODS FOR BOUNDARY-LAYER TYPE EQUATIONS 7.1 INTRODUCTION It was pointed out

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US SOCOM Factbook

US SOCOM Factbook

SOCOM History (87-07)

SOCOM History (87-07)

2013 SOCOM ST-StrategicPlan

2013 SOCOM ST-StrategicPlan

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Secrets & Myths ( Contracting with SOCOM)

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Am 500 Power Point Presentation Socom Edited

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Airsoft world laws socom tactical airsoft

ESA in SOCOM Event Rev2 · BATS Wireless ESA July 25, 2017 ESA Tested - SOCOM TE 17.3 Recently, BATS was invited to a SOCOM event, SOCOM TE 17.3, to showcase the Electronically Steered

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SOCOM-2012-0000019 Trans

SOCOM-2012-0000019 Trans

T3 B4 Commissioners Trip to Tampa Fdr- 4-28-04 SOCOM Briefing Book for Commissioners 988

T3 B4 Commissioners Trip to Tampa Fdr- 4-28-04 SOCOM Briefing Book for Commissioners 988

Gdc10 Catto Erin Gjk

Gdc10 Catto Erin Gjk

SOCOM SMA Gray Zone Panel Discussion Booklet

SOCOM SMA Gray Zone Panel Discussion Booklet

1 USMC-SOCOM Integration SOCEUR EUCOM ARG/MEU SOUTHCOM SOCSOUTH SOCCENT CENTCOM SOCPAC/KOR PACOM USMC-SOCOM INITIATIVES SOCOM-USMC BOARD Communications.

1 USMC-SOCOM Integration SOCEUR EUCOM ARG/MEU SOUTHCOM SOCSOUTH SOCCENT CENTCOM SOCPAC/KOR PACOM USMC-SOCOM INITIATIVES SOCOM-USMC BOARD Communications.

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SOCOM Convoys