Level Up.pdf

Gray Matters 235
Divide your gameplay between “ big moments ” and
“ small moments. ” Don ’ t stack too many big moments
next to each other — you ’ ll wear your player out.
Conversely, small moments of calm and quiet will only
feel boring if there are too many of them in a row.
Shadow of the Colossus successfully balances the big
moments of battling giant monsters and quiet
moments of traveling through the expansive game
world.
Time of day and weather can be used to emphasize
events and elements in your level. How would the
player traverse the level if it were covered in snow or
took place during a blizzard? How would a fairy
village look differently if it were set at night? Make
sure that any weather effects extend to the player
character, the mechanics, the enemies, and other elements in the level. If
one element isn ’ t affected by the weather, it will ruin the entire effect. Give
your game levels a variety of atmospheric effects and times of day to keep
things interesting.
Variety should be applied to the level
geometry as well as to gameplay.
Alternating interior and exterior
spaces keeps your level from feeling
like too much of the same physical
space. You don ’ t have to alternate the
spaces in between every room but
break it up according to what feels
natural. Players usually feel safer in
large spaces. Tighter spaces feel
more mysterious and dangerous. Be
mindful of your camera placement
throughout your level design. Allow
enough room in tight spaces for the
player and camera to move around or just resort to a fixed or rail camera.
When staging combat, larger spaces allow you to throw bigger and larger
groups of bad guys in, while narrower spaces work better for one - on - one
battles.
Verticality is very important when designing levels. Alternating elevation
makes an environment feel natural, provides much - needed variety, and
allows designers to set up “ Kodak moments ” of any impressive visuals like
statues, vistas, and horizons. As a player walks or climbs up, they feel like
they are making progress and heading towards a goal.