Levels and Design

Here are some screen shots of parts of levels that I have been paying particular attention to. The focus of some of these is the level itself where as in others it is more of the atmosphere created within that part of the game that I want to show. Although it will be hard to describe what is going on with the sound other atmosphere creating noises and changes hopefully the screen shots will illustrate some of what i am researching and trying to achieve in my games creation.

1. Level Design research: Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider has been my main line of research into the interactivity and level design that I want to have in my game. It has very interactive environment elements where the whole focus of that game is to navigate the main character, Lara Croft, through the tombs and ancient ruins that lay in her way.The combat within Tomb Raider is also built in to the exploration of the environments, i would like to try to incorporate this element into my game as well. This shows the combat style of the game as well as the setting of the Egyptian level that is in the game.

Again from Tomb Raider: Anniversary this screen shot shows one of the integrated puzzles within the environment with the solution. This is also from the Egyptian environment level and the way that the authentic art of the Ancient Egyptians has also been integrated within it.



In this picture we can see some of the way that the environments work. Ledges that can be climbed and shimmied along are all around the map. As well as the route that the player is meant to progress in there are also other route which may lead to secrets for hidden items. This makes game play much less linear. I have gone into all of the aspects of the Tomb Raider series in much more depth in my research document.


Next after environment navigation and design needs to come atmosphere. My games survival horror atmosphere will differ a lot from that of the Tomb Raider series.