Role Summary
The Level Designer focuses on creating the spaces and settings where gameplay takes place. This involves using tools like game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine) to construct the levels, determining the layout of paths, placing obstacles or items, and setting up interactions that players will encounter.
Their primary responsibility is to design game levels that offer players a coherent and engaging experience that stays true to the design team's core vision for the game. This involves planning the characters, objects, actions, layouts, and places that are essential for each game section considering factors like player progression, difficulty curves, and narrative pacing.
As a crucial component of the game development team, they need a comprehensive understanding of gameplay elements and how they interact within the game environment, this includes knowledge of player behavior, level pacing, and the effective use of space to guide for guidance. Their role is focused on ensuring the game space is functional and aligns with gameplay requirements. They aim to design areas that are not only navigable but also engaging for the player, whether that's through exploration, combat, puzzles, or other game mechanics.
Requirements
Has a grasp of basic game design principles, which are foundational for creating levels.
Familiarity with game development engines such as Unreal and an enthusiasm to learn more.
Awareness of the role and responsibilities of a Level Designer within a collaborative development environment.
Familiarity with game theory basics, aiming to create engaging and balanced levels. ï‚· Insight into elementary visual scripting tools, especially platforms like Unreal Blueprints.
Familiarity with real-life architectural concepts.
Understanding of Excel's capabilities, primarily for data handling and basic analysis.
Awareness of interdisciplinary boundaries, ensuring designs are practical within art, programming, and production resources.
Basic understanding of concepts like composition, leading lines, and space planning.
Tools Used
Most Used:
Unreal Engine including Blueprints
Excel
Miro
Good to Know:
JIRA or Trello
Slack or Microsoft Teams