Level Design Skill

A design consulting framework based on "Level Design: Processes and Experiences" edited by Christopher W. Totten (CRC Press, 2017).

Core Philosophy

Level design is the thoughtful execution of gameplay into gamespace for players to dwell in. It sits at the intersection of programming, design, and art—implementing the game design vision while leading players through experiences without revealing the designer's presence.

"Level designers don't merely create things for players to do. They create situations that invite players to interpret who they are." — Brian Upton

The Designer's Core Tasks

• Guide without forcing — Lead players through intended experiences while maintaining illusion of freedom

• Teach through space — Use environment to communicate mechanics, not tutorials

• Control pacing — Modulate intensity through spatial rhythm and stillness

• Support narrative — Align levels within overall game progression

• Create consistency — Establish and honor environmental rules players can rely on

Quick Reference: Level Types

Type Key Considerations

Linear Hide linearity through visual choice, narrative lures, environmental storytelling

Open-World POI density, anchor locations, subregions, orientation landmarks

Horror Anticipatory play, corners, one-way doors, visible-but-blocked escape

Procedural Horizontal vs vertical integration of handmade content

Indie/Focused Expand single core mechanic through level variation

Hiding Linearity

Players must feel in control even when following a predetermined path.

Techniques

Technique Description

Coerced Progression Time pressure, pursuing enemies—no time to question the path

Environmental Signage In-world signs, color coding (Mirror's Edge red)

NPC Guides Companions who lead, escort targets who follow, enemies to chase

Narrative Lures Visible objectives, story hooks that pull forward

Forced Choice Illusion Block one path as player approaches, making "choice" feel organic

What Breaks the Illusion

• Arbitrary locked doors

• Invisible walls

• Flimsy barriers (yellow police tape blocking a superhero)

• Clear artificial constraints without narrative justification

See: references/hiding-linearity.md

Anticipatory Play & Horror Design

Horror isn't about jump scares—it's about dread before the corner.

The P.T. Framework

• Corners — Hide what's ahead; players imagine horrors worse than you could show

• Ratchet Doors — One-way progress; can't retreat, must face what's ahead

• Valve Doors — Block progress temporarily; visible state reduces uncertainty about if blocked

• Visible Escape — Show impossible exits to amplify feeling of being trapped

Key Principle

"Anticipatory play requires variety—the situation must evolve so players continually reassess. Static horrors become played out."

See: references/anticipatory-play.md

Open-World Planning (Burgess Method)

Three living documents for large-scale world design:

1. The World Map

• Establish setting, scale, subregions

• Plot anchor locations (story-critical, landmarks)

• Include orienting features (visible from anywhere)

• Plan natural boundaries (water, cliffs) over artificial walls

2. The Master List (Excel)

• Every location with X/Y coordinates

• Columns for: designer, quest associations, footprint size, difficulty, encounter type

• Scatter graph overlay on map image

• Filter to visualize distribution patterns

3. The Directory (Wiki)

• Per-location pages with: status, goals, walkthrough, known issues, to-do

• Category tags for filtering (by designer, by pass, by type)

• Living documentation updated throughout development

POI Density

The frequency of points of interest defines exploration feel:

• High density = Theme park feel (GTA cities)

• Low density = Vast, sparse exploration (Just Cause countryside)

• Non-uniform = Urban cores dense, rural areas sparse (Fallout 4)

See: references/open-world-planning.md

Play-Personas

Model player behavior before and after implementation.

The Process

• Analyze mechanics → Derive high-level behaviors from low-level actions

• Create matrix → Plot all behavioral combinations (2^n personas)

• Select cast → Choose 2-3 personas aligned with design vision

• Associate affordances → Link behaviors to spatial/ludic elements

• Orchestrate — Modulate which personas are viable throughout level

• Validate — Use telemetry to confirm players match expected personas

Example: Pac-Man

High-level behaviors: Center vs periphery dwelling, early vs late pill eating, linear vs broken paths

→ 8 persona combinations including "Fraidy Cat" (periphery, early pills, linear) and "Risk Taker" (center, late pills, broken)

See: references/play-personas.md

Themed Level Tropes

Classic environmental themes with established mechanics and expectations:

Trope Core Elements Design Advantages

Fire/Ice Environmental hazards, timing puzzles Color variety, physics tweaks

Dungeon/Cavern Tileable textures, traps, treasure Easily repeatable, expected danger

Factory Moving platforms, conveyers, gears Repurposable mechanics, scalable difficulty

Jungle Vines, branches, water, wildlife Fluid movement, colorful outdoor

Spooky Atmosphere, surprise, undead Combines with any theme

Pirate Ships, treasure, melee, water Action-ready, clear rewards

Urban Verticality, cover, vehicles Real-world familiarity

Space Station Tech hazards, airlocks, zero-G Sci-fi dungeon equivalent

Sewer Pipes, rats, rising water Modern dungeon stand-in

Mexican Pizza Technique: Combine two tropes for fresh results (fire + graveyard, jungle + urban ruins)

See: references/themed-environments.md

Indie Level Design Practices

When working with limited resources:

Practice Description

Expand Core Mechanic One strong mechanic explored through level variation (VVVVVV)

Iterative Level Design Rapid prototyping, playtest early and often

Design Modes Not Levels Create systems that generate challenge (endless runners)

Embrace Emergence Simple rules, complex interactions

Object-Oriented Design Modular elements that combine predictably

Qualities of Good Level Design

• Maintain flow: challenge without anxiety or boredom

• Balance freedom with constraints (illusion of control)

• Enable mastery and emergent solutions

• Balance risk and reward proportionally

• Guide without being obvious

See: references/indie-practices.md

Procedural vs Handmade Integration

Two integration models:

Vertical Integration

Handmade thread runs through procedural content (FTL quest chains, Spelunky secrets)

Best for: Narrative, puzzle sequences, coherent story beats

Horizontal Integration

Procedural and handmade content interchangeable in same slot (Dungeon Crawl vaults, URR buildings)

Best for: Ensuring specific gameplay moments, quality floors

Key Decision

Should players see which is which?

• Yes (DCSS): Visual variety, risk/reward clarity

• No (URR): Quality perception, seamless experience

See: references/procedural-handmade.md

Level Evaluation Framework

When evaluating a level design:

• Player Guidance: Can players find their way without obvious signposting?

• Pacing: Does intensity modulate appropriately? Are there moments of stillness?

• Teaching: Does the space teach mechanics before testing them?

• Consistency: Do environmental rules remain predictable?

• Persona Fit: Does the level support intended play styles?

• Density: Is POI distribution appropriate for the experience?

• Linearity Illusion: Do players feel in control of their path?

Common Pitfalls

Pitfall Symptom Solution

Obvious Rails Player comments on being "on rails" Add visual choice, narrative justification

Empty Space Players comment on emptiness Increase POI density or justify sparseness

Lost Players Players wander aimlessly Add orientation landmarks, environmental cues

Played-Out Scares Horror stops being scary Keep threats evolving, limit exposure time

Arbitrary Barriers Players frustrated by blocked paths Use narrative-justified or natural boundaries

Tutorial Overload Players skip to "real game" Teach through safe early gameplay

Key Mantras

• "Hide the designer's hand." Players should feel they're discovering, not being led.

• "Corners are always significant." Transitions between visible and hidden create anticipation.

• "POI density defines feel." Sparse = vast exploration; dense = action-packed.

• "Static threats become furniture." Evolve dangers or limit exposure.

• "The illusion of choice is enough." Players interpret forced choices as agency.

• "Mexican pizza your themes." Combine familiar tropes for fresh experiences.