Responsibilities:​
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Whiteboxing and iterating on levels for an unannounced AA project.
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Working with Lead Designer to pitch and prototype mechanics to expand on the game’s puzzles and traversal.
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Collaborating with Senior Level Designer to create a blockout kit that follows the game’s metrics and allows designers to blockout faster.
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Coordinating with the Art team to bring a level from blockout to final art.
While at Sword + Wand, I had the opportunity to work on Realm Jumpers, an unreleased co-op 3rd Person Action-Adventure game. I was a level designer for over 3 months where I rebuilt one of the levels to match the current gameplay. I also prototype new level mechanics to encourage players to fight and interact together.
Encouraging the Co-op Experience
The video above shows a puzzle/combat example of players working together to achieve a goal. I wanted to create a puzzle that "connected" all three floors of the space. If the other players were exploring, they could observe it from various angles and may check out what was happening. I had the switch surrounded by combat, so players had to communicate when to activate it. During combat, the other could time their jump to get to the top of the pillar to secure treasure.
Take Apart and Rebuild
One of my initial tasks was taking the old pitch level and exploring different options for co-op puzzles and traversal. I began by blocking out the level with cubes to break it down into basic shapes. I then included elevation, hidden areas, and puzzles that encouraged players to explore and work together.
The team was excited about the changes and believed my design would push the game's levels and enhance its gameplay. I also worked with a Senior LD to produce a block-out kit that allowed them to block out faster and make the iteration process smoother.
A sky view of the old level but blocked out with basic shapes
Added an underground cave under the fallen statue to add exploration
A sky view of the old level but blocked out with basic shapes
Collaboration with Art
As I was leaving the project, my last task was to work with art to develop a first pass on some spaces in my level block out. We discussed various ideas for the theme of the space and what different areas could represent.
What is shown are some of the art passes before they decided to refocus efforts on other spaces.