Vote For The Best Whitebox Level in UE4 at MapCore!

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SpronyvanJohnson says:

That’s right guys, the deadline has passed and we’ve got exactly 11 good looking whitebox maps for you all. I must say that I’m very pleased by your efforts and your participation in this challenge. Because 11 maps is a very impressive number for a challenge without prizes. So a big applause for all participants!

As promised, we will now let the community vote on which map they like best. Voting will end on Monday 6 October.

Now check out the contest thread on MapCore and pick your best Whitebox level!

 

LEVEL-DESIGN.org News Roundup – Volume 27

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LEVEL-DESIGN.org News Roundup – Volume 27

Art Dumps:

Articles:

Interviews:

Videos:

Tools:

LEVEL-DESIGN.org Reference Database Updates:

LEVEL-DESIGN.org Portfolios on Spot Vol. 2

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Lately I’ve been visiting a few websites where super talented artists and designers use to hang out. Here’s what I found – a big pack of an inspiration! If you’re on the list then it means you’re doing a great job as an environment artist or level designer! Have fun watching!

  • Louie Turner – Level Designer – “Yunshu“, “Ferrous” and “Stallone” levels for Team Fortress 2 [Luie’s Portfolio]

 

 

LEVEL-DESIGN.org News Roundup – Volume 26

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Hello! Sorry for the lack of updates on my website. I’m preparing a few big things, some updates in the Knowledge Base and some small projects I’m crafting at night. Anyway, here’s a list of the  latest news from the level art and design part of the games industry.

By the way, we have a great occasion to celebrate! The Reference Database hit more than 41 000 pictures in all the galleries! Thanks to all contributors!

If I’ve missed an interesting article or a video about the level design, feel free to let me know and I’ll post it right here!

LEVEL-DESIGN.org News Roundup – Volume 26:

Articles:

Contests and Challenges:

Interviews:

Videos:

Tools:

LEVEL-DESIGN.org Reference Database Updates:

Composition in Level Design – New article on LEVEL-DESIGN.org Knowledge Base!

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LEVEL-DESIGN.org Knowledge Base has been updated with a new article on Composition in Level Design.

When designing a level you’re able to freely compose your virtual environment with any objects you want. This distinguishes level designers from the landscape photographers. You don’t have to adopt to existing elements of nature or architecture. You can affect the scene dramatically. A level designers’ work can be compared to that of a painter. Now let’s see the level as the art gallery and the level vistas as paintings. It means that a player can traverse from one composition to another.

You can read the article here. Have a good reading!

Update:
You can also read the article on Gamasutra Blogslink.

LEVEL-DESIGN.org News Roundup – Volume 25

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Hello fellow designers and artists! I’ve been quiet for a long time. I was a bit busy with the Knowledge Base but it’s all fine now! Here’s a pack of level design news from few last weeks:

LEVEL-DESIGN.org News Roundup – Volume 25

Articles:

Tools:

Videos:

LEVEL-DESIGN.org Reference Database Updates:

  • Sanctum 2 [Gallery]
  • SpecOps: The Line – Complete SP Campaign [Gallery]
  • Battlefield 3 – Multiplayer Levels [Gallery]
  • Doom 3 BFG Edition: Resurrection of Evil – Complete SP Campaign [Gallery]

First Page From The LEVEL-DESIGN.org Knowledge Base Is Now Available!

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I’m happy to announce that my own Wiki-based knowledge base is now available – LEVEL-DESIGN.org Knowledge Base! First page that is ready to publish is about Dominants. I hope you’ll find it useful. Please, feel free to contact me with any hints, requests or comments!

Here’s a quick note about the new website:

Most of the books and articles I’ve read were very game- or engine-specific. I was looking for a very universal knowledge that shows very detailed level production phases from video game development. I couldn’t find any so I’ve decided to pick MediaWiki engine and write down everything I know about making levels. The results are what you’re reading right now, LEVEL-DESIGN.org Knowledge Base. This website gathers information about all the aspects of the level creation process and is prepared for both aspiring and experienced Level Artists & Designers. In my series of articles I’ll try to explain principles of Level Art & Design on neutral ground, without technical requirements and capabilities.

All the content is written from my own experience, observation and analysis with as much development tidbits as I could put in. Comments, thoughts, requests and bug reports are welcome!

I don’t know how often the website will be updated, please follow LEVEL-DESIGN.org Blog or my Twitter feed to know about the updates. I can assure you that the next update will be about Composition and it will be available in the beginning of the next week.

Quick links:

LEVEL-DESIGN.org News Roundup – Volume 24

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LEVEL-DESIGN.org News Roundup – Volume 24

Scenes and Levels:

  • Korath – Witcher Saga Inspired Environment by Krzysztof Teper [Video]
  • Cartographer’s Nightmare – New Quake 1 SP level by KillPixel [Trailer] [func_msgboard]

Interviews:

Tools:

Videos:

  • Mass Effect – “Citadel” Environment Presentation Video [Polygon Fragments]
  • Map Jam – Making of brushwork by Simon “Sock” O’Callaghan [Part 1] [Part 2]
  • Unreal Engine 4 Cave Effects Tech Demo [Video]
  • Probable Carcinogen – Quake 1 SP Custom Gamer Commentary [Video]
  • Jam1_Arrrcee – Quake 1 SP Custom Gamer Commentary [Video]

Other:

  • LEVEL-DESIGN.org Level Art & Design Resources – Article Updated [List]

LEVEL-DESIGN.org Reference Database Updates:

  • Outlast – First minutes [Gallery]
  • Wolfenstein: New Order – Complete SP Campaign [Gallery]

LEVEL-DESIGN.org Portfolios on Spot Vol. 1

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I wanted to return to an old LEVEL-DESIGN.org tradition of promoting talented artists and designers by showing you their work. Featuring portfolios in News Roundup series wasn’t a good idea, it had no impact because lack of screenshots. Let me feature few images that show some of the greatest talents, their works and… get inspired! Check out LEVEL-DESIGN.org Portfolios on Spot Volume 1!

Each featured portfolio lands automatically on “LEVEL-DESIGN.org Featured Portfolios” page.

Spencer RoseLevel Designer – “Hijack” level for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive [Spencer’s Portfolio] [Steam Workshop]

 

Rick van VeenEnvironment Artist – “Tulip” level for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive[Rick’s Portfolio] [Steam Workshop]

Sébastien Van ElverdingheEnvironment Artist [Sébastien’s Portfolio]

LEVEL-DESIGN.org News Roundup – Volume 23

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LEVEL-DESIGN.org News Roundup – Volume 23:

Articles:

Contests:

Tools:

Videos:

  • League of Legends: Summoner’s Rift – Level Design Analysis [Design Club]
  • Super Mario Bros Level 1-1 Analysis [Design Club]
  • Rage Subway Town – Environment Presentation [Polygon Fragments]
  • Citizen Returns Part 1 – HL2 SP Level Design Commentary [Custom Gamer]
  • Crow Avenue – HL2 SP Level Design Commentary [Custom Gamer]
  • Level Design – Early Video Games [YouTube]

LEVEL-DESIGN.org Reference Database Updates:

  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – Complete SP Campaign [Gallery]
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (MP) – Complete MP Campaign [Gallery]
  • Call of Duty: World at War – Complete SP Campaign [Gallery]
  • Call of Duty: World at War (MP) – Few first Multiplayer levels [Gallery]
  • Dead Island: Riptide – Two first locations [Gallery]
  • Wolfenstein: New Order – First few levels [Gallery]