1. DGMD E-70 Principles of Game Design
LESSON #12: Level Design

2. 1. Digital Prototype Testing!
TODAY:
1. Digital Prototype Testing!
2. Level Design Considerations:
Lighting for Mood and Focus
LD Basics: Jay Wilbur
Navigation: Martin Nerurker
Encounter Building: Forrest Dowling

3. PART 3: Mid-Project Peer Evaluation (Due by email Tomorrow)
Download file for your team-size from the website (based on BU EMBA project peer eval system).
Fill out text evaluation for each team member before assigning any scores.
NOTE 1: Any score distribution out of your available points total is acceptable EXCEPT awarding equal amounts to any team members.
NOTE 2: Evals will not be shared by teacher with team members, but you should use this document as an opportunity to reach out to each other and discuss issues!
NOTE 3: This is a chance to consider how you are doing as a teammate on this project, and how you might want to do batter in the last remaining weeks!

4. PART 1: DIGITAL PLAYTESTING
SET UP (<5 minutes):
Teams Choose Tables
Set up game digital prototype on 2-3 laptops.
Decide initial Observers (1-2) and Players.
Discuss: Do you want 1-3 points/ instructions to share with visiting players? Write them down!

5. PART 1: DIGITAL PLAYTESTING
PLAYTEST ROUNDS (20 minutes):
Observers stay to manage playtest, Players find other games to play.
If team chose 1-3 instructions, give them.
Players attempt to play prototype (5-10 min). Observers take notes!
Players fill out questionnaire (5 minutes).
Time permitting, discuss answers.

6. PART 2: Level Design Considerations
(a). LIGHTING:
What are the properties of light at your disposal?: Direct illumination, indirect, primary and secondary lightsources, static and dynamic lights, colored light and shadows, choices in what is lit and what is not to create meaningful shapes/drama. Also, animated Lighting!
Light as mood-setting.
Light for leading player attention.
Light for navigation.

7. PART 2: Level Design Considerations
(b). Level Design Basics: The FPS:
Jay Wilber Article on basic issues.
(c). Level Design Navigation Solutions:
Martin Nerurker article on Spatial and Design considerations to enhance gameplay and user navigation.

8. Question: What is Level Design?

9. Question: What is Level Design?
What is the job of a level designer?
Not just an architect, designing space:
Where/when to place hostile AI?
Must judge what is fun,
what gameplay elements motivate players,
what creates an immersive experience (art+sound),
what advances the storyline,
and also what fits the rest of the game
-- Jay Wilbur (id Software, Epic)

10. Question: What is Level Design?

11. Question: What is Level Design?

12. Question: What is Level Design?

13. Question: What is Level Design?

14. Question: What is Level Design?

15. Good Level Design Considerations:
Setting: elements implied by a school, train station, space station?
Lay out larger map before focusing on rooms, and consider how player should feel in each area.
Specific Activities by area: base building vs traps, resource gathering.
Other Actors: Helpful vs Crunchy vs Boss AI, and their paths.
Pickups locations: Health, Ammo, Weapons, Puzzle Pieces, combinable resources, etc.
Movable Parts: Doors, keys/buttons, movable architecture (walkways)/landscape (rockslide)/vehicles (boats).
Access: Start and Exit options for each space
Also, immersive detail:
art and audio which add meaning to mechanics

16. CASE Question: What does an FPS need?

17. CASE Question: What does an FPS need?
Cover:
Influence player path
Corridors:
Influence player speed
Nodes:
Influence player attention
Resource Placement:
level distribution
spawn balance
player guidance

18. CASE Question: What does an FPS need?
Cover:
Influence player path
Corridors:
Influence player speed
Nodes:
Influence player attention
Resource Placement:
level distribution
spawn balance
player guidance
Pacing
Risk Incentive
Revisiting
Supply/Demand
Scene Composition
Controlled Freedom

19. Question: How can level design help players navigate?

20. Level Design for Player Navigation:
Martin Nerurkar: “No More Wrong Turns”
Discrete Tools: HUD/UI, easily adaptable, convey multiple types of info, hard to ignore.
Map: Abstract view of game
Markers: In game highlighting or pointers
Compass: Arrow pointing to item/exit/enemy
Immersive Tools: Part of Environment, single piece of information, subtle
Attract: Direct player with light, movement, color or “weenies” toward desired area/directions
Identify: Landmarks, style, and in-game signs which help players orient.
Guide Methods: Architectural (Portal) and natural (Prince of Persia) lines which guide player attention

21. PART 2: Level Design Considerations
(d). A Deeper Look: Encounter Building:
Forrest Dowling on iteratively developing meaningful play experiences, considering diverse player perspectives and contexts.
PLAYER FLOW: Plan, Execute, Improvise, Regroup
DECISION LAYERS: Strategic, Tactical, Twitch
VARIETY: Including multiple enemy types or challenge types in the same layer, to help insure the experience has rising action.

22. PART 3: TEAM MEETING (if not in class, then outside as soon as you can)
Convene at your team table to discuss observations and questionnaire answers.
Read responses and review test-runner notes.
Choose a facilitator
Discuss responses—what feel like the biggest ideas, the most pointed critiques?
Plan to type up and post your notes.
Discuss Production goals for the next class and the two weeks after (over Thanksgiving Break-- next top priority Backlog items, potentially influenced by tester experience/ observations) and divide work equitably.

23. Due Next Class, In Two Weeks:
HOMEWORK #12: A POPULATED Game: 5th Digital Prototype with revised play, more levels, lots more art & audio!
TEAMS:
Divide Unity/Art/Audio production equitably.
Meet with your team at least twice to discuss progress, solve problems, and consolidate build.
Test clarity with at least two NEW players.
Submit fourth digital build to class next week.
Individually: Progress Report #5: Submit typed page: What you agreed to produce, what you accomplished, self-evaluation/related screenshots.

24. Breath. Relax. And Keep Working Hard!
And don’t forget to us with questions: Instructor: JASON WISER Available an hour after class and daily .