Vernonshire (Level 1)
General
This is the first level of the final version of our project. Since this is the first level, I made sure that it served as a tutorial that introduces the main action blocks that make up the game (platforming, puzzle, and combat). The challenges are light in this level so that the player can be prepared for future mechanics and challenges.
Contribution:
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Role: Lead Level Designer
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Designed and built entire level.
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Added final assets and landscape.
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Ensured that level fit with the flow of the Hub world.
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Oversaw progress on other levels.
Reflection:
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What went right:
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The level was easy and forgiving.
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Blocked areas are completely unreachable.
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The level's theme was well received
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Most of the level is well polished.
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What went wrong:
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Teaching reflect had to be removed.
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Running walls would not work for some players for a long time.
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Picture in picture had to be removed due to performance issues.
Character Ref:
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Ember: Movement Character (Yellow)
Ignis: Combat Character (Blue)
Both Characters: (Green)
Ember​
Ignis
Full Playthrough
Planning
Design Goals:
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Introduce: This is the first level so we wanted to introduce our two characters and how they will be used throughout our entire game with easy tasks. The player will learn simple mobility/movement, fight simple enemies, and use basic interactables to start.
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Forgive: I did not want the player to be heavily punished for losing or failing jumps so there are plenty of checkpoints in platforming areas and in combat spaces.
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Block: I wanted the gameplay boarders to be clearly shown. The player should recognize where they cannot go.
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Design Rules:​
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Main interactions should always be visible.
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No difficult jumps.
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Have minimum and safe gameplay in areas of refuge.
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No required backtracking.
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No invisible walls with nothing.
Required Sections:
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Starting Area - The player's spawn, where they learn simple movement.
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Platforming - Where the player can practice their mobility and be introduced to simple platforming mechanics.
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Combat Arena - Multiple fenced up areas that add more enemies as you proceed.
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Puzzle - An introductory puzzle that gets the player familiar with switching and using interactions.
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Boss Area - A final test where the player uses both characters to fight a single enemy.
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House - The end of the level.
My Drafts
First Outline Draft:
Key:
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Part 4:
Walkthrough Maps
Key:
Description:
The walkthrough maps mark the main path of our two characters by using a circle with a reference number and a color. The reference number refers to the step order that the path is taken starting at one. Yellow means that the path is played using Ember (Movement Character), blue represents the same thing but for Ignis (Combat Character), and green means that the path can be taken by either character without affecting gameplay.
Final Map
Gallery
Click on the arrows to browse photos that match the reference number from the walkthrough map.
Where the player spawns.
Where the player gets introduced to basic platforming mechanics.
The end of the level.
Where the player spawns.
Part 1
Description:
This is the start of the first level so the first thing that was taught here is basic mobility. There are simple jumps with small pits at the spawn to prepare the player for the platforming section up ahead.
Introduces:
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Jump
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Double Jump
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Moving Platforms
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Regular Levers
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Coins
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Treasures
Areas Included:
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Start/Spawn
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Most of Platforming
Played Characters:
Ember​
Gallery
Click on the arrows to browse photos that match the reference number from the walkthrough map.
Parts 2-4
These are the rest of the parts to level 1. They teach the player how to fight with Ignis, and how to solve puzzles using both characters. The end of the level serves as a challenge by having many enemies and a small boss.
Description:
Introduces:
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Fire Traps
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Summoning Altar
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Heavy Levers
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Gates
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Basic Attack
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Basic Enemy
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Ranged Enemy
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Pressure Pads
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​Rising Platforms
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Rising Ramps
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Moving Stairs
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Acid Pits
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Boss
Areas Included:
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End of Platforming
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Combat Arena
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Puzzle Area
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Boss Area
Played Characters:
Ember​
Ignis
Gallery
Click on the arrows to browse photos that match the reference number from the walkthrough map.
