Tutorial - Producing Level Design Ideas

[Method]

I decided to write a tutorial covering my methods of producing and documenting level design ideas. This tutorial covers where to look for ideas/inspiration and how to put them on paper for current or future reference. You can read the tutorial here:

http://www.methodonline.com/ld_ideas.htm

Feedback is welcome. What did you guys like? What did you dislike? What would you like to see more of?

-Method

[Hipshot]

Nice one. I'm doing about exactly like this.

I also have a notepad with clean white paper in it on the bed table so if anything pops in the twilight I can just draw a quick'n'dirty and leave it there for the day after.

Actually I get alot of inspiration from other games too, though mostly for atmosphere, texture-scheme and lighting, not that often - if ever - layouts.

For most parts, in the first steps of the pre-prod of a new map, I kinda thinks how the gameplay will be in some areas, like shuts the eyes and then imagines the player in third person running around within the atmosphere and layout you want.

[Hipshot]

I think you can/should expand the article to cover the production of a map as a whole with how to try out lighting, try texture schemes, finding correct scales etc... might be alot of work though and probably has been covered elsewhere.

[Method]

Thanks for the feedback. I've written things that cover of what you're talking about:

http://www.methodonline.com/mashup_tutorial.htm
http://www.methodonline.com/ld_process.htm

You're right about getting ideas from other video games. I do taht too sometimes. Will add that to the list.

-Method

[A1yssa]

Very nice work Method, thank you...it wil be really usefull!