Level Design for Games: Creating Compelling Game Experiences

Level Design for Games: Creating Compelling Game Experiences

At the heart of any great computer game are expertly designed levels: the locales and stages that define gameplay. And at the core of any strong game development team are the level designers: the people who create the spaces and environments that you move through while playing the game. And because level design doesnâ€™t require a fine arts or programming degree, itâ€™s one of the best avenues into a career in game development. Level Design for Games: Creating Compelling Game Experiences is the definitive guide to level design, both for aspiring game developers, and for industry pros looking for practical, best-practice tips and advice.

With over ten years of experience with some of the industryâ€™s top developers, Phil Co starts the reader at the very beginning of the
game development process, explaining the level designerâ€™s role in the all-important preproduction phase. Co then moves into the
production phase, using a fictional level to demonstrate how to create and refine your level.

Packed with screenshots, diagrams, and real-world examples, this book gives you all the tools you need to build your own professional-grade
level, including level narratives, descriptions, diagrams, and templates. Chapter assignments help you practice what youâ€™ve learned, and the demo of Epicâ€™s UnrealEngine2 Editor (UnrealEd), included on the companion CD-ROM, gives you hands-on experience
with an industry-standard tool.

Phil Co has a degree in architecture from the University of Virginia but opted instead for a career in video games. Starting out as a tester at SEGA, heâ€™s been a level designer since 1996 for some of the best-regarded game developers in the industry, including Cyclone Studios, Blizzard, and Valve Software, makers of the hugely popular â€œHalf-Lifeâ€ series. Phil lives in Seattle with his wife and son.
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â€œAnyone interested in a level design career should read this book. Phil does an excellent job covering all
the aspects of level design across several game genres.â€
â€”Rob Pardo, Vice President of Game Design,
Blizzard Entertainment

â€œAn indispensable guide to the theory, process, and practice of level design.â€
â€”Robin Walker, Designer, Valve Software

â€œThis book contains a wealth of valuable information for anyone
interested in Level Design. It is one of the few books I would
recommend to my gaming students.â€
â€”Todd Robinson, Game Design Instructor,
Academy of Art University, San Francisco
Country USA
Brand New Riders
Manufacturer New Riders Pub
Binding Paperback
UnitCount 1
UPCs 785342375978
EANs 9780321375971
ReleaseDate 0000-00-00

Country	USA
Brand	New Riders
Manufacturer	New Riders Pub
Binding	Paperback
UnitCount	1
UPCs	785342375978
EANs	9780321375971
ReleaseDate	0000-00-00

Level Design for Games: Creating Compelling Game Experiences

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