Level Design Skill

Quick Reference: Level Types

Hiding Linearity

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

Techniques

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

1. Analyze mechanics → Derive high-level behaviors from low-level actions
2. Create matrix → Plot all behavioral combinations (2^n personas)
3. Select cast → Choose 2-3 personas aligned with design vision
4. Associate affordances → Link behaviors to spatial/ludic elements
5. Orchestrate — Modulate which personas are viable throughout level
6. 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:

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:

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:

1. Player Guidance: Can players find their way without obvious signposting?
2. Pacing: Does intensity modulate appropriately? Are there moments of stillness?
3. Teaching: Does the space teach mechanics before testing them?
4. Consistency: Do environmental rules remain predictable?
5. Persona Fit: Does the level support intended play styles?
6. Density: Is POI distribution appropriate for the experience?
7. Linearity Illusion: Do players feel in control of their path?

Common Pitfalls

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.