Week 13 - Building a Simple Level

"Game Level Design"

There are 'building blocks' of a level:

- Concept | Overall idea of game
- Environment | Graphics, sounds etc.
- Beginning | Where the start of  the level is
- Ending | Where the exit/finish of the level is
- Goal | Why should the player want to reach the end?
- Challenge | The thing that makes the player enjoy completing the level
- Reward | Not limited to a 'New Weapon or Armour' can just be access to next level.
- Failure | Why should the player try the level again?

Do you need a story? No. Some games don't have stories, but can do if forced (eg. Chess - Medieval War). Byrne describes stories to 'enhance' levels rather than to base games around them.

Although there may be many different types of game genres, almost all share the same basic requirements for the individual levels that make up the game. Knowing what these building blocks are is critical to knowing what makes a good level.

- The more players can do a task without aid, makes the game more fulfilling.

- Simply finishing the level can be a reward, no need for fireworks.

- Don't make the player blame a poor game for failure, make them want to play better.