Unit 76 - Level Design for Computer Games

Summary and Reflection of my Work

I am very proud of the work that I have produced in this unit, my final level exceeded my expectations as I never thought that I would be able to create a playable map of this level. I have learned so much in this unit, I learn how to use a new software (Unreal Engine/Unreal Tournament) and use advanced features of them like supergrid and setting up a basic material. I also gained a better knowledge of how different lighting, pickups can effect gameplay and how things like lifts and elevators can help with the flow of the map. I look forward to using the skills that I have acquired in this unit to make my own portfolio of levels in Unreal Engine and Unreal Tournament.

Final Level Screenshots

Here are various screenshots of my final level, I think that I have done a really good job of creating a level that plays well, makes good use of the features Unreal Engine provides and looks like the Steampunk Western theme I wanted to create.

Peer Review 4 Changes

Here you can see where I have taken Chloe’s idea of making my level slightly darker, I think that it really enhances the feeling that my level is taking place at sunset.

Peer Review Action Plan

I have once again received very helpful feedback from both Jonny and Chloe. I am going to experiment with Chloe’s idea of making my level slightly darker to see what it looks like.

Peer Review 4

I asked Jonny and Chloe:

My map is supposed to be taking place a sunset, on my mood board I have found several pictures of sunsets where the sky looks orange with hints of purple, I really like this and decided to try and use a similar sky in my level, do you think I have done this well and do you think it makes it look like my levels taking place at sunset? If no why and what do you suggest I do to change this?
Do you think I have lit my buildings well, I made them fairly bright so that the player cam see where they are going, do you think I should make make them brighter/darker of just leave them alone?
I tried to make my overall level as bright as possible considering that its set a sunset, do you think I got the overall brightness of my level right or do you think that I should adjust the brightness to make it brighter/darker?

Chloe responded:

1 – I’ve looked at both your sunset mood boards and the lighting within your map, and you can defiantly tell that you’ve took inspiration from your Pinterets boards. I like that instead of sticking to the basic day or night theme, you’ve changed it up a bit by making the lighting in your map ‘dusk’ based. I like the use of pinks and oranges; it makes the map very memorable.

2 – The buildings that you have lit look okay to me, I wouldn’t change the setting of them.

3 – Because your level is meant to be played during ‘sunset’ lighting hours, I think that it might look cool if you toned the brightness down just the tiniest bit. Maybe there is an option in Unreal where you can move the sun, so that way you can move it right to the boarder, giving off longer ‘dusk like’ shadowing.

Jonny responded:

1. Looking at your mood board and then at your map, it certainly looks similar to your moodboard and they intertwine nicely. The lighting effect on your map is actually beautiful, it gives it a cold look, like you're actually at the peak of a mountain and this is great for atmosphere.

2. The brightness in the buildings is good as this allows players to see interiors instead of just a dark/black shadow on the walls. This is more visually pleasing to players and encourages them to explore the interiors instead of quickly looking in and then running past.

3. Looking at your map, you've nailed the brightness, it genuinely feels and looks like you're on top of a mountain and the sky looks wonderful! Don't adjust it. Don't try and fix what isn't broken.

Good job.

Moodboard Lighting Inspiration

Here you can see the lighting in my level. I think that I have done a good job of making my level look like its taking place at sunset, I will now be doing a peer review on the lighting in my level, I will be asking Chloe and Jonny for feedback.