A Quick Survey on Game Design - GameCreators Forum

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EGG HEAD OF DOOM

17

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Joined: 21st Sep 2008

Location: The Hacked Hospital Lobby

Posted: 26th Nov 2010 04:42 Edited at: 27th Nov 2010 11:16

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Hi, EGG-HEAD here. I need some information about everyones process of designing their games before they actually make them. I don't need this to help my self make games, I need this for a project. So just answer the questions given and thats it.

Questions:
1)Do you do any planning for your games at all (Drawings, layouts etc.)
2)In what form do you design your game levels (Drawing on paper, graph paper, a digital program, written notes or other (please specify))
3)What elements do you plan (Just the level layout, just the events that take place or both)
4)Do you find designing your levels first helpful (Does it make the the experience of making the actual game easier)
5)Comments (Tell me anything about your game designing experience)

thank you for your time, any info will be very much appreciated.

http://www.wix.com/AsherSackman/Reality-Tech

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Crusader2

17

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Joined: 8th Aug 2008

Location: Somewhere...

Posted: 26th Nov 2010 04:55

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1) Deffinetly. I plan the entire layout of each level (or world if it's an open world game) before I even TOUCH whatever editor I'm using.
2) I generally use graph paper and scale it properly. Depending on the size of the game I can end up with 50+ pages of drawings before touching the editor.
3) I try and plan out everything before I start to work. Especially when it comes to code; when working with UnrealScript it is important to know what functions to subclass

4) It probably saves me several hours of debugging and several sleepless nights because of stress. That's not to say that I don't have sleepless nights while designing the maps...

Hope this was helpful!
Crusader2

"BOINK!" -The Scout

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raymondlee306

16

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Joined: 24th Oct 2009

Location: Ohio

Posted: 26th Nov 2010 05:22

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I get an idea. Figure out how to start the game, and finish the game. Then I write the main action points in between (outline format). Then I figure out what levels are going to cover what part of the story. Then I decide on what locations are going to best tell each part of the story. Then I start by drawing the level by hand on graph paper color coding the area from most critical to optional if there is memory available.(one tip here is to design the level so that you are not looking through multiple rooms at the same time which saves the engine polys.) After the level is laid out I test it for continuity and poly leaks. After that I populate it with enemies, NPC's and dynamic objects and test again. Then after all of the main critical places and entities are placed I begin to "decorate" the level and add the rooms and areas that space allows. Then I move onto the next level and repeat.

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Bugsy

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Joined: 24th Nov 2008

Location: another place in time

Posted: 26th Nov 2010 06:05

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Do you do any planning for your games at all (Drawings, layouts etc.)

Yes, absolutely. for every map, and object, and scene, every time.

2)In what form do you design your game levels (Drawing on paper, graph paper, a digital program, written notes or other (please specify))

First I sketch some rooms from a few different angles, then I draw the layout in flash or AutoCAD, then I decide on enemy positions and areas to attract the players eye based on lighting, then I commit it to editor.

3)What elements do you plan (Just the level layout, just the events that take place or both)

I plan literally every part of the entire map, from beginning to end, leaving no detail un thought-out. everything is meant to function seamlessly with the gameplay.

4)Do you find designing your levels first helpful (Does it make the the experience of making the actual game easier)

It most certainly does. it makes everything flow more smoothly, and gives me realistic details, not just crap sitting around randomly.

4)Comments (Tell me anything about your game designing experience)

I really have none, do what I do and your levels will become much better

imageflock.com/img/1272671763.jpg[/img]
skype = isaacpreston. I want to talk to YOU

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EGG HEAD OF DOOM

17

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Joined: 21st Sep 2008

Location: The Hacked Hospital Lobby

Posted: 26th Nov 2010 06:24

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thanks guys, keep it coming

http://www.wix.com/AsherSackman/Reality-Tech

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Scene Commander

Support Manager

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Joined: 3rd May 2008

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Posted: 26th Nov 2010 09:07

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It's been awhile since I've actually planned a game but

Do you do any planning for your games at all
Fully, I start with the game end and work backwards. Planning encounters and aims for each level.

In what form do you design your game levels
Generally paper and written notes. Sometime I'll keep a digital list.

What elements do you plan
Everything. In level design I look at what facilites a level should have if it were real. For example, if it were a factory, it would need a factory floor, toilets, showers, offices, meeting rooms, changing rooms, most likely a kitchen, etc. I'll flesh out encounters at this point based on plans from point 1

Do you find designing your levels first helpful
It's impossible to produce anything of even vauge quality without decent design.

Comments
If using FPSC, after I've gone through the design process I normally give up because FPSC won't build a level because of some random engine crash or appalling lag. - Only joking..

http://jimjamsgames.yolasite.com

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Teacher

20

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Joined: 29th Dec 2005

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Posted: 26th Nov 2010 13:50

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Interesting; this makes my process look very haphazard and disorganised. That's because I work from what I've got in terms of assets, and what I can achieve in terms of skills. That’s where the ideas start, or they are fed by something I’ve seen or read – sometimes on the forums.
This generally means that each project is a learning curve as a prospect or idea evolves from within the project and leads me down a new learning road.
Quite often all I know when I start are the genre, style and a basic objective. After a little experimentation and playing I may do a fairly detailed mind map in Inspiration or Open Mind, although that is often to record ideas as much as inform planning.
Good luck with the project!

There is no pain you are receding, A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are the only coming through in waves

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Wolf

18

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Joined: 8th Nov 2007

Location: Luxemburg

Posted: 26th Nov 2010 15:09

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Quote: "1)Do you do any planning for your games at all (Drawings, layouts etc.)"

No, I'm not. But I'm doing artwork that is featured in my games.

Quote: "
2)In what form do you design your game levels (Drawing on paper, graph paper, a digital program, written notes or other (please specify))"

Straight in the editor.

Quote: "
3)What elements do you plan (Just the level layout, just the events that take place or both)"

I do always have a core idea in my head what is going to happen...all the rest comes along while mapping.

Quote: "
4)Do you find designing your levels first helpful (Does it make the the experience of making the actual game easier)"

No...I'm simply not the planning type.

Quote: "
4)Comments (Tell me anything about your game designing experience)
"

Try to catch the athmosphere of the scene you want to show the player...it is not about the graphics, not about the technique...it is all about the poethry.

Crysis has the technologie

Half Life² has the athmosphere... I think HL² is a much better game.

Remember to add as much gameplay stuff as you can and focus a little more on the gunfights and action than most FPSC games do.

If the game is fun, it will be played!

-Wolf

God Helps the Beast in Me!

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Gamer X

18

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Joined: 1st Feb 2008

Location: Planet X

Posted: 26th Nov 2010 15:42

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1)Do you do any planning for your games at all (Drawings, layouts etc.)
I often draw layouts and concept art and then start on details for the layouts.

2)In what form do you design your game levels (Drawing on paper, graph paper, a digital program, written notes or other (please specify))
Normally on regular paper

3)What elements do you plan (Just the level layout, just the events that take place or both)
Level layout and Events

4)Do you find designing your levels first helpful (Does it make the the experience of making the actual game easier)
it varies for me. it makes things easier for me to make, but at most times I usually just let my mind wonder off into space and then come to realization that I built a decent level.

4)Comments (Tell me anything about your game designing experience)
I try to keep the game serious but have a few comedic effects in it just to keep you laughing and off guard for what will happen. (doesn't apply to a comedy game

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EGG HEAD OF DOOM

17

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Joined: 21st Sep 2008

Location: The Hacked Hospital Lobby

Posted: 26th Nov 2010 18:00

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thanks guys, i need as many replies as possible. and wolf, Half-Life^2 IS the best FPS game. Game Informer even said it was.

http://www.wix.com/AsherSackman/Reality-Tech

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EGG HEAD OF DOOM

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Joined: 21st Sep 2008

Location: The Hacked Hospital Lobby

Posted: 27th Nov 2010 02:40

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Just bumping, as i do need more replies. thanks

http://www.wix.com/AsherSackman/Reality-Tech

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DarkJames

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Joined: 11th Aug 2009

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Posted: 27th Nov 2010 03:29 Edited at: 27th Nov 2010 03:30

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I use a quite Spontaneous Way!.

1)Do you do any planning for your games at all

No. I look Into Architecture, Wich, now, i have a vast knowledge of any sort of structure; i sometimes just start kicking some segments, and then i start designing,if i want to have a shaded Level, i shade while i add the entities, i never plan anything, i just try to not bore my Mind-Idea and...

JUST DO IT

2)In what form do you design your game levels

I dont use Anything, i use my mind, is an X-80900 Code 100x419 (?) yea, but anyway, no i dont use nothing.

3)What elements do you plan

Well i always Remind what will the player Do inside the place; Like so:

For example:
Do my Character (lets call it Jack, for further Questions)
Jack, Will make a Survival Place for pigmans zombies with face of britney spears (

) Will it be cramped? what would the player choose to survive? barriers?

So yeah; My Designing Globalizes around the Events taking Place.

4)Do you find designing your levels first helpful

No. I already try that, and, at the end, its Horribly Awfully boring, you wont get it done, and you will cancel the game at the end.

4.2 (?) )Comments (Tell me anything about your game designing experience)

I always do tests, and my library is full with custom segs.

I always like to Mature characters, develope them up, ( Jack, from running from Zombie B. Spears pigmans, have come to show his feelings in front of a HQ, since they are discussing how to erradic an infestation of Brad pitt-face Giant rats

)

That's it!.

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Le Shorte

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Joined: 6th Apr 2009

Location: Wisconsin

Posted: 27th Nov 2010 05:55

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Quote: "1)Do you do any planning for your games at all (Drawings, layouts etc.)
2)In what form do you design your game levels (Drawing on paper, graph paper, a digital program, written notes or other (please specify))
3)What elements do you plan (Just the level layout, just the events that take place or both)
4)Do you find designing your levels first helpful (Does it make the the experience of making the actual game easier)
4)Comments (Tell me anything about your game designing experience"

1) Yes, I draw them and sometimes write out how the level should come together.
2) I draw out levels on paper and type up how they should play out.
3)I do everything...
4)No comments

I do private FPSC scripting- email for more details.