Level 2 Fancy Kitchen, Player as V.R.U.M.
Project Type: Level Design Course: Semester Project
Contribution: Creator of Game Concept and Level Designer
Outcome: Shipped Two Levels (x1 solo and x1 co-op) to Itch.io
Vacuum or Cat, Cleaning Becomes Fun!
Imagine the daily life of a unique Vacuum Robot Utility Meowchine (or V.R.U.M.) with the ability to re calibrate its robotic disc shaped vacuum body into the form of a mechanical cat!
Change your form from vacuum to cat as you navigate through each level efficiently cleaning as you go!
Challenges:
-Studying to understand what makes effective level design
-Collaborating in a team of two (for 4-months) to develop game with three levels
-Being personally responsible for developing two playable levels: one solo and one co-op
-Achieving harmony in object placement within Unity
-Figuring out how to make cleaning fun!
What I Learned:
-Level designs based in realistic settings need to be accurate to reality
-Being adoptable and open to feedback can make your game better
- Self-managed teams work well when tasks align with individual strengths
-Subtle cues to the player within the level design should always exist to promote fun (not tedious) gameplay
-Level analysis methods such as: (Filip Coulianos) Pacing, 10 Principles of Level Design, Visual Cues, Routes/Paths, Beat Charts
Fancy Kitchen Level (Waiter's Station Area), with HUD
Fancy Kitchen Level (Dishwasher Area), Player as Mech. Cat
Final Greybox, Fancy Kitchen
Greybox, First Draft (Before Level was Fancy Kitchen)
Optimal Route, Fancy Kitchen Level
Igloo Multiplayer Level, Split-Screen Gameplay and HUD
Greybox, Multiplayer Igloo Level
Igloo Multiplayer Level, Combat Bowl Design
Level Design of Igloo Multiplayer Level, Object Placements
Level Design of Igloo Muliplayer Level, Trash & Puddle Placements
Level 2 Fancy Kitchen Analysis Video by Lauren Gallagher
Level 3 (Co-op) Igloo Analysis Video by Lauren Gallagher