Samuel J Thorp

Level Design

Year 2

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About

For my second year of university I was tasked with creating a level with around five minutes of gameplay, I decided to design an open ended level that required the player to find their own way through the level using a certain tools, heavily inspired by Prey (2017).

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The level provides many options and pathways that the player can find, I put great effort into making the level itself feel like a puzzle that has multiple solutions and that the player always feels smart for figuring out how they should proceed to the next portion of the map.

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The player can use a gun that shoots sticky projectile platforms that adhere to surfaces to form a path for the player to get around, the ability to lift specific large objects that can be used to make steps to reach higher platforms and upon lifting the object it will turn transparent to allow the player to still see even while carrying it, and also the player can use key cards to unlock doors and activate the lift in the game. 

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Development:​

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Level Design​

• Conceived level and designed level map & documentation.

• Constructed level.

• Play-tested and iterated where necessary.

• Added additional paths and expanded level to provide more options.

• Balanced ratio of options in game to create the right mix of challenge/player freedom.

• Placed grabable objects.

• Added ledges that boosts player allowing them to jump up certain surfaces.

• Placed key cards through-out level

• General level scripting such as text, doors and lift using blueprints.

• Placed art assets.

• Lighting.

• Integrated colour throughout level to add visual variety, draw player eye to key areas & options and subtly guide player through level.

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Visual Scripting

• Created sticky projectiles that adhere to surfaces but not each other and can be used as platform by player

• Created objects that the player can grab.

• Scripted transparent fading on grabable objects so player vision isn't obscured when lifted.

• Created ledges that boost player.

• Made key cards and key pads that work only with their own colour designation.

• General bug fixing and feature refinement.

• Scripted behavior of sticky projectiles when adhered to key objects such as the lift or gradable objects to prevent issues.

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Art

• Modeled modular environment kit and props

• Textured environment models and props