3D Level Design - Portals 2
Student project: Intensive Week (UG Year 2, Sem 2)
Duration: 2 Weeks
Project Type: Individual
Project Brief and Summary:
The master class was focused on 3D level design and introduced us to the basic theories, good and bad practices along with an introduction to popular games with excellent 3D LD examples for teaching new mechanics or testing player skill through mastery. The lectures were followed by rigorous playtests of Portal 2, playing through the campaign until all major game mechanics and elements were introduced. A deconstruction of the campaign's level progression and a custom level (User Generated Content) was to be submitted by midweek. The Week and a half thereafter were to design 3 progressively difficult levels and conduct playtests with peers before the final official playtest to balance them. The requirement was to make levels that can be played and solved by new players as well as not be a breeze to solve for experienced ones. The assignment focused on teaching us how to design, balance, and iterate based on rigorous playtesting conducted throughout the week with peers, instructors, and students from other disciplines with little to no game experience. The assignment really brought to light how much more difficult it is to make an Easy level without making it boring or condescendingly obvious.
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Steam Workshop Links:
