Level Design in a Day: A Series of First Steps - Overcoming the Digital Blank Page

In this 2014 GDC talk, EA's Seth Marinello explores a number of "step one" strategies used by professional level designers targeting specific games, as well as high-level concepts which can help you make your own games.
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[@gulfgiggleanimations4472]

8:36 "It's really important to include ... a top down map" Me, developing a 2D sidescroller *draws straight line* Well that was easy!

[@egonvanrillaer653]

Me making a top down shooter: A-Another one?

[@kadr6424]

souls-like developers: MAP? LOL XD

[@ChaS4m]

Me, developing a movement based shooter that has a lot movement in every axis: imma need a 3D printer not a pen

[@sam_making_games]

😂

[@seancstudio]

Put an arrow head on the end. NOW its done.

[@Danmoorevt]

Hey GDC, I feel you guys should have a playlist for Essentials for Indies. This being a core piece of content/lesson. Great vid!!! :)

[@matthewrosborough2705]

this please!!

[@ExplosiveFridge]

I'd really appreciate something like this

[@MrRajuma]

I support this

[@Synyster641]

I second that

[@reilymaahs6570]

Also support this!

[@Alex-re3qm]

I will always be appreciative that there's a GDC talk for every problem I've encountered during game development

[@Grimsikk]

this is easily one of the best level design talks out there. This talk is essential for all indie devs. I'm taking this newfound knowledge going forward with my own game.

[@RaoulWB]

I was just about to remake a level from scratch. Well, I didn't think block level designing was such a popular choice. Amazing talk

[@JonMW]

I started watching this in hopes that it would help me with D&D dungeon design, wondering how applicable it was all going to be - because it opens with a lot of concepts that are based around a very linear design structure - and then 17:00 just smacked me in the face.

[@aFewBitsShort]

In the "olden days" and still in the present, the best way to research is to visit the locations, talk to the people and take photos 😅

[@unsaltedskies]

What I like about "modern days" is watching UrbanEx videos. Admitedly the atmosphere and the scale are lost in a video though they serve as an excellent mood board for levels with an abandoned/industrial theme.

[@PacTheOne]

love me some leveldesign talks ♥

[@Souless-Monster]

Amazing presentation! Very useful!

[@ptacnik1988]

Thank you so much for this video 😁👌👌👌

[@woodyfentress]

Brilliant talk, Seth!

[@Ben_of_Milam_Music]

So glad they could get Spencer and Sam from iCarly as guests on this talk!

[@phosphornaut6811]

Bubble diagrams. Excellent design technique!

[@xxdannyxanny420]

really good presentation

[@maowcat1587]

Don't think I didn't hear that J Dilla at the end.

[@dreamiyu]

The "awaken the ship" idea really reminds me of awakening the divine beasts in Legend of Zelda Breath of the wild you also have to free them from all the malice to make it work for you as well

[@hplovecraftmacncheese]

I think a lot of these ideas stem from Frank Lloyd Wright (the architect) who was famous for adhering to "form follows function."

[@Nevarek_]

@34:50 Interior design fundamentals!

[@paulchen9145]

does somebody have the slides for this presentation?

[@sethflarstevensonss123]

awesometalk

[@linezgames3893]

LuL, Imagine 2021 using physical boards over PureRef after the pandemic. Man Pureref is amazing

[@preston748159263]

jennette mccurdy casually sitting on stage just chilling.

[@codycrank3465]

first

[@aldegator]

maya user 🤮

[@seaweed3952]

This guy really rambles over and over

[@namesurname624]

Yeah, hard to listen to

[@ossiehalvorson7702]

It's a complex topic, and he's detailing a whole process his team follows. If he just summed it up as "create a paper document for every level" with no examples, that would've helped nobody.