Level Up.pdf

226 LEVEL 9 Everything I Learned about Level Design, I Learned from Level 9
When creating passages for a top - down view map for a 3 - D level, I
recommend making it five squares wide: that ’ s the width of the player plus
two more widths on either side. It provides enough room for the player to
navigate, for combat to occur, and the camera to have some room to
maneuver. However, I can guarantee that your first few efforts at level
design will usually end up too small and too cramped, so don ’ t be afraid to
be generous with your proportions.
Use geometry and lighting to help move the player down the path. Players
are drawn towards light, while they tend to avoid or overlook dark places.
You can use shapes like diagonal lines to draw the player ’ s eye in a specific
direction. I learned my favorite trick from the designers at Naughty Dog, the
creators of the Crash Bandicoot and Uncharted games. They use a trick
they call the squint test. Take a look at the image below and squint your
eyes until they are almost closed.
What ’ s the brightest thing on the screen? The main path. You can do the
same thing in your game using color and lighting. Even if the player doesn ’ t
consciously notice this, they will still be able to see which way to go. If
the player has someplace to go, don ’ t waste their time with needless
wandering. Never intentionally try to get the player lost. Instead, find ways
for them to get quickly to the main objective. A good trick is to talk your
way through a level design. Describe to someone else what the player
will be doing. If you ever find yourself saying “ then the player walks over