Spaaaaaaaaaace!!!

Why Level Design Rocks

   “A chance to build cathedrals, entire cities that never existed, things that couldn't exist in the real world” – Inception

I want to make games! 

    More specifically I want to be a Level Designer, but I’ll get on to the (quite notable) differences later. Upon hearing those words, most people scoff, if not out loud, then almost certainly inside their head. I suppose I can’t blame them, when you think of games, the first things that come to mind are certain mindless modern combat shoot ‘em ups, or pokemon, or space invaders. They probably see you as attempting to fulfil some childish fantasy, not seriously considering a career and lifestyle choice. You don’t even need to take that last part about it being a lifestyle choice with a pinch of salt; while the stereotype of some solitary, supremely nerdy guy, in desperate need of any kind of female attention, sat behind a desk, staring at a screen for 24 hours a day, is 100 percent false, there is obviously a lot of screen time involved, and designing games does have a habit of becoming all consuming. There is a good reason for this however, which is one of the things I shall be trying to convey throughout the course of this book/pamphlet/thing.

So, what is Level Design?

   To shamelessly steal the product of a quick Google search; “Level design, environment design or game mapping is a discipline of game development involving creation of video game levels—locales, stages, or missions. This is commonly done using level editor, game development software designed for building levels. Level design is both an artistic and technical process.” But that makes it seem a heap less interesting than it actually is. Imagine if you will, a work of art; a beautiful painting, of rolling landscapers, massive futuristic cities floating in the skies, skies vast and full of strange and wonderful creatures. Now, hold that image in your head, and turn that piece of art into a real place; a place that you can walk around, explore, and spend hours in, discovering every nook and cranny. It is a Level Designer job to create these places, although not without help.

To Be Continued...

More Stuff

Scene for Some Columbian Guys I'm working with

 Test to see how effective Snow is at hiding low quality level desing

VERY VERY early wip of a big project I'm involved with

Slightly Less early but still super early wip of a big project I'm involved with

A Birthday Card I made for a friend

Me trying to use photoshop, again.