LerpworksAcademy

Art and worlds · course

Level design

16 lessons · 4 chapters

How to build levels that are interesting to walk through: the path and landmarks, metrics, blockout, layout, pacing, gates, verticality, combat and stealth, level events, and breakdowns of classic levels. Read in order.

Chapter 1 · The basis of a level 0 of 3
  1. Wayfinding: how players find the way 20 steps
  2. Metrics: a level built around the hero’s body 22 steps
  3. Blockout: a world of boxes 18 steps
Chapter 2 · Layout 0 of 5
  1. Layout: loops, forks and dead ends 19 steps
  2. Pacing: tension and rest 21 steps
  3. Gates and keys: a world that opens piece by piece 15 steps
  4. Verticality: height as a tool 19 steps
  5. Composition in 3D 15 steps
Chapter 3 · Combat and events 0 of 4
  1. Encounters: arenas, cover and lines of fire 18 steps
  2. Stealth levels: light, shadow, patrols and cover 16 steps
  3. Level scripting: triggers, doors and scenes 18 steps
  4. Multiplayer maps: balance, lanes and chokepoints 18 steps
Chapter 4 · Breakdowns 0 of 4
  1. How to study someone else’s level 7 steps
  2. de_dust2: why the map has lasted for decades 16 steps
  3. Dark Souls: a world that folds back on itself 15 steps
  4. Hitman: Sapienza, a town built as a sandbox 15 steps