Tutorial - Level Design Process

[Method]

Now that I released beta version of Central Hub (methctf1) I can post this tutorial here. This is a short "The Making of Central Hub" tutorial.

http://method.gamedesign.net/ld_process.htm

-Method

[Method]

You don't have to have any art skills to be a talented level designer. Most people roughly sketch anyways. Plus at the end you show the map, not sketches.

-Method

[Method]

Here're some sketches by id's Designers when they were working on Quake 3:

http://www.gamespot.com/features/btg-q3 ... s_maps.jpg
http://www.gamespot.com/features/btg-q3 ... _paper.jpg

Here're some sketches by Valve's Designers when they were working on Half-Life 2:

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/20 ... een023.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/20 ... een036.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/20 ... een037.jpg

-Method

[acid/ger]

i'm doing that in school all day long

[obsidian]

Isn't that Tim Willits sketch one of the single player maps for Q2? Look at those spinning cogs.

[StormShadow]

That Willits sketch looks a bit like q3dm13?

@method - awesome idea.. ive always wanted to do that myself - document the making of map, all the steps involved, have screenies/pics of the process etc - but im too damn lazy

Its always interesting to see how a map comes together. Great tutorial - a fun read.

BTW, I usually sketch out the map on paper very roughly, and if I have a specific idea of what I want an area to look like - particularly for a more complex level - ill actually do a perspective drawing of that area. For example:



I have shitty drawing skills, but I can draw well enough to get a point across..

[obsidian]

Interesting tutorial. Added it to the Resources sticky thread.

Something I'm working on (hand drawn with pencil and ink):

[Method]

Thanks for the good words about the article guys.

StormShadow: I can see everything clearly in your sketch. That hanging-stand (not sure how to call it) is great in the middle, because it'll give good cover.

Obsidian: Looks interesting.

-Method

[Pext]

wow; that's all so clean... my layout scetches usually look rather chaotic

[Method]

Sketches are mostly for the designer and as long as you understand why you sketched that, it's cool. Unless you work for a company and have to present the level's idea to the lead designer.

-Method

[Amorak2]

i wish i could draw. life would be a little easier.. LOL