| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 2020 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 62: Kingdom Hearts | 00:36:18 | |
Finally getting a chance to sit down and discuss one of my favorite gaming franchises, breaking down the Kingdom Hearts finale and the design choices they made, the ones that we should respect. | |||
| 11 Aug 2020 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 78: Peter Field LD Tips | 00:55:23 | |
Honored and thrilled to have the fantastic and inspiring Peter Field. An experienced level designer who has worked on a range of incredible titles as he talks about his process, inspirations and what is was like to work on Dreams (2020) | |||
| 12 Dec 2017 | Level Design Lobby - Ep8: Dragon Age Design | 00:34:27 | |
Another Special guest joins the show, the lovely producer Aleksandra. to talk about the Dragon Age series. We discuss what made the Dragon Age series standout to us, what we learnt from it as devs and gamers. Please Subscribe | |||
| 04 Aug 2020 | Bonus Episode: Essential Reading 34 | 00:13:53 | |
I have found some fantastic resources on game development and wish to share them with you all. Some more amazing work from the game dev community. Ketul Design Analysis - www.ketulmajmudar.com/design-analysis Ketul Blog - Functional Traversal - www.ketulmajmudar.com/design-analysis Let's Design COmbat - gumroad.com/leveldesignlobby Book (Hirohiko Araki) Manga in THeory & Practise - www.amazon.com/Manga-Theory-Prac…ing/dp/1421594072 | |||
| 17 Jul 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep22: Soul Reaver | 00:36:46 | |
I sit down to talk with Technical Artist Francesco Abbonizio as we talk about the role of a technical artist as well as his work on the fan project that is Soul Reaver. Please Support | |||
| 12 Oct 2021 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #45 | 00:19:29 | |
Another month, another great round-up of incredible resources for us all to learn from. In this mini-series I talk about some of my personal fav resources I have found over the past month for us to enjoy and grow from. ------------------------------------------------------------ Game Texutres ------------------------------------------------------------ Link: https://gametextures.com/ Discount Code: Level99 ----------------------------------------------------------- Let's Design Books ---------------------------------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ---------------------------------------------------------- Resources ----------------------------------------------------------- upgrading OW Games Deakins Our Dreams at Dusk Kevin Penkin Resonant Arc GDC Spatial Cinematography ---------------------------------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------
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| 09 May 2018 | Bonus Episode: Essential Reading 8 | 00:15:05 | |
Here we go with some more amazing work by game devs helping us all learn and grow! I select my top 5 essential reading for the month! Enjoy these as I hope it helps you learn as well. Please support Minit Breakdown: www.gamasutra.com/view/news/316451…e_adventures.php Horizon Zero Dawn: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TawhcWao9ls Designing Love: www.gamasutra.com/blogs/GregBuchan…nce_in_games.php Design Club Level 1-1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH2wGpEZV…8XcqReieXLFf4afI0 Common Stealth Mistakes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXTQgHP-NY | |||
| 26 Feb 2019 | Q&A - Level Design Lobby: Episode 7 | 00:28:59 | |
Traditionally I and Alex will answer questions from you amazing people. Yet we decided to take a slightly different approach with this episode. We discuss topics that we wish we had learned back in our educational days and make you aware of certain subjects that you should be studying in your own time. Twitter:twitter.com/AlexMPartridge | |||
| 29 Oct 2024 | Level Design Lobby - Silent Hill a Short Message | 00:24:32 | |
Happy Halloween All, | |||
| 21 Apr 2023 | Game Conferences - Best practisces | 00:20:47 | |
Throughout every year there are incredible conferences for us all to attend as either gamers or as devs. It is a brilliant opportunity for us to network and make new friends. In this episode, I will talk to you about how to best present yourselves and what I have learned over my time attending and presenting at these. | |||
| 24 Oct 2018 | Q&A - Level Design Lobby: Ep 4 | 00:18:36 | |
Another chance for me to answer your amazing questions yet again. This time with my travels I will also answer some of the common most questions I have been asked along the way.
Twitter:twitter.com/AlexMPartridge | |||
| 21 Sep 2021 | Level Design Lobby - Kevin Penkin #105 | 00:56:09 | |
A great privilege to welcome on to the show the extremely skilled composer Kevin Penkin! Kevin is a game and anime composer who has worked on a number of titles in both fields, he talks to me about his creative process and what inspires him to write music, which best captures the emotion of the project. Please Support: http://bit.ly/33xpKbG ---------------------------------------------- Mudstack ----------------------------------------------- Use Mudstack Now: https://mudstack.com/ ----------------------------------------------- Contact Kevin ----------------------------------------------- Twitter - https://twitter.com/kevinpenkin Website - https://www.kpenkmusic.com/ Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/kevinpenkin ---------------------------------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------
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| 25 Jul 2023 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Material #55 | 00:12:45 | |
Hitting July hard with great new resources. Talking about what I have read, watched, and listened to, which I think we can all learn from. | |||
| 15 Oct 2019 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 53 : Oliver Walker LD Tips | 00:42:56 | |
Joined by Jr LD Oliver from Just Add Water, as he talks about his first couple of years within the industry and what he has taken from his journey thus far. | |||
| 18 Jan 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Applying For Jobs #115 | 00:23:19 | |
In this episode, I answer some common questions I am asked when it comes to the application process for LD roles. I talk about what to expect, how best to tackle each stage. | |||
| 27 Apr 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Open World Exploration #121 | 00:19:38 | |
I go through Elden Ring and discuss how they have designed their open world to encourage exploration and peak interest of the player. As well as talking about how and what other techniques can be used by developers to draw in players. | |||
| 14 Aug 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep23: Communication | 00:23:04 | |
Hey all amazing people, this is the 23rd episode in which I talk not about level design technique but a soft skill which we should all be levelling up which is... Communication. This is something we all need in order to make the best game possible. Please support | |||
| 30 Dec 2020 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 87: 2020 Design Wrap Up | 00:19:57 | |
It is the final ep of the year, I just want to talk about some of the cool designs I have seen this year and give them some praise.
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| 31 May 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Burnout & Freelance #122 | 00:20:37 | |
The podcast is back with a vengeance as I return to talk about where I have been, brunout and how to regain one's passion as they suffer as well as what work is like when you become a contractor. | |||
| 07 Jul 2020 | Bonus Episode: Essential Reading 33 | 00:11:50 | |
Its the start of the month, which means more amazing resources for us all to enjoy by our brothers and sisters in the industry Persona 5 Relationship Manger - bit.ly/38vMFbu Outpost Design - bit.ly/2NWteiO Rebranded Games - bit.ly/38xFxeM | |||
| 04 Mar 2020 | Bonus Episode: Essential Reading 29 | 00:14:25 | |
Hey everyone, happy to be back (Sorry it is a day late) but I get a chance to sit down and suggest more amazing more by fantastic devs BloodRoots Combat - bit.ly/2x2rO0Q Level Design Illusion of Choice - bit.ly/2wtx7GA FFVII Remake - bit.ly/39pBscg Subverting Space - bit.ly/32RksJp Open World Design - bit.ly/3aqomM1 | |||
| 10 Jun 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #49 | 00:17:17 | |
An incredible month of fantastic resources released by other devs as I recommend 5 resources for all you game gurus to consume and enjoy.
Open World Exploration - https://shorturl.at/mwKS8 Ghost of Tsushima Design - https://shorturl.at/bcBE9 | |||
| 08 Jan 2019 | Bonus Episode: Essential Reading 16 | 00:14:51 | |
Happy New Year and wishing the best 2019 I can to all my amazing Game Guru's! First episode of the year, and we kick it off with some great suggested reading to all of you amazing devs. Please Support: www.patreon.com/leveldesignlobby Interactive Stories and Video Game Art - amzn.to/2SHyiYS Creative Inc - amzn.to/2QrYPrj Master Class Will Wright - bit.ly/2LUOy6l Maps of the Mind - amzn.to/2SCE8e1 | |||
| 19 Apr 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #48 | 00:14:28 | |
It has been too long, since the last episode, and an essential reading one. So I decided to fix that and get the ball rolling on the episodes again! | |||
| 04 May 2021 | Let's Design Exploration - The Making Of | 00:19:52 | |
We are back!! Not only are we back, but I am also joined by Dan Howard as we talk about that of creation of the second instalment into the 'Let's Design' Series. | |||
| 15 Dec 2021 | Level Design Lobby - Valorant Level Design #113 | 00:33:26 | |
It is part two of our mini-series with the incredible Mike Gonthier, level designer at Riot Games. He re-joins us to talk more about his experience and his approach to crafting levels. | |||
| 22 Feb 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Level Scripting #118 | 00:11:42 | |
Today is a short episode, but a fun and educational one, nonetheless. I will go through the importance of scripting and why when you build your folio pieces you should implement some form of scripting. | |||
| 14 Jan 2025 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #65 | 00:21:13 | |
Happy New year all! It is graet to be back in 2025 with some awesome new resources which I have found over the Xmas break. If you are looking to get back into the learning then check these out. | |||
| 02 Feb 2021 | Level Design Lobby: Reading List - #40 | 00:19:15 | |
Incredible gamedevs are out there sharing their knowledge, so I gathered up some of my top resources and recommend them to you all! Please Support: http://bit.ly/33xpKbG ------------------------------------------------------------------ Sponsor - LDL ------------------------------------------------------------------ Level design store - https://bit.ly/2WvrTUR ----------------------------------------------------------------- Resources ----------------------------------------------------------------- Open World Encounter: https://iuliu-cosmin-oniscu.medium.com/open-world-encounter-design-b0bc2123996d How ND Decides your Decision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTiG5GWsQ08&feature=emb_logo Year 4 Indie Life - https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/KevinGiguere/20210223/377524/Year_4_My_full_time_indie_developer_life.php Operative Design Anthony Di Mari - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Operative-Design-Catalog-Spatial-Verbs/dp/9063692897/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OMFF2OLNT3BX&dchild=1&keywords=operative+design&qid=1614530605&sprefix=Operative+des%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1 Kai Interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWanWi9_n4g ------------------------------------------------------------- Contact me -------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com | |||
| 27 Nov 2018 | Q&A - Level Design Lobby: Episode 5 | 00:16:27 | |
Great time being able to sit down and answer your question you amazing Guru's. Hopefully, I answer some of your questions on this episode. Twitter:twitter.com/AlexMPartridge | |||
| 02 Mar 2021 | Level Design Lobby: Reading List - #40 | 00:19:18 | |
Incredible gamedevs are out there sharing their knowledge, so I gathered up some of my top resources and recommend them to you all! Please Support: http://bit.ly/33xpKbG ------------------------------------------------------------------ Sponsor - LDL ------------------------------------------------------------------ Level design store - https://bit.ly/2WvrTUR ----------------------------------------------------------------- Resources ----------------------------------------------------------------- Open World Encounter: https://iuliu-cosmin-oniscu.medium.co... How ND Decides your Decision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTiG5... Year 4 Indie Life - https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/Kevin... Operative Design Anthony Di Mari - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Operative-De... Kai Interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWanW... ------------------------------------------------------------- Contact me -------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com | |||
| 22 May 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep19: Emotional Design | 00:38:32 | |
This has been one of the best topics, in my opinion, to talk about as I break down how we as designers try to capture emotions and portray them through mechanics in video games. I take a look at a few amazing examples from games I recommend to everyone to check out. Please support the podcast: www.patreon.com/leveldesignlobby Crisis Core Mechanic -www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112864…ative_Divide.php | |||
| 11 Oct 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Five Years! | 00:22:25 | |
Hey all, been way too long since our last talk but I am back and wanted to share with you all some updates and what has been happening with the show recently. | |||
| 09 Mar 2021 | Level Design Lobby: Chris Totten - Little Nemo #92 | 00:56:47 | |
Re-joined by the ever fantastic Chris Totten, as we talk more about Level Design and his new game Little Nemo and what design challenges it brings, and how to prepare your game for Kickstarter. Join The Community: http://bit.ly/33xpKbG ------------------------------------------------------ Level Design Store ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------ Contact Chris ------------------------------------------------------ Little Nemo Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/littlenemogame/little-nemo-and-the-nightmare-fiends Studio Site - https://www.pfbstudios.com/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/Totter87 --------------------------------------------------------- Contact me ---------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com
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| 03 Dec 2020 | Level Design Resources - Ep 37 | 00:14:57 | |
Happy December, we are getting closer to Christmas so why not start the gift of giving, by sharing more incredible resources with this great community. Industry Idiots - industryidiots.com/podcast/ Great HUB world design - bit.ly/37xq0M9 Story through barks - bit.ly/3lyb70I Level Design Podcast - bit.ly/36xkFVS | |||
| 05 Jan 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Open World Design #114 | 00:52:04 | |
Absolute blast having a big member of the LD community join me Snr Level Designer from Massive Julius. Julius has had an incredible career working on many games, formerly a lead level designer yet his passion is on the Open World Design of levels. Please Support http://bit.ly/33xpKbG | |||
| 18 Mar 2020 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 65: Kingdom Hearts 3 Design Pt 2 | 00:30:41 | |
Part 2 of the design break down for Kingdom Hearts 3, as this time I talk more about Level Design, as well as their system design. Hope you all enjoy. Please support: bit.ly/33xpKbG | |||
| 16 Sep 2017 | Level Design Lobby - Ep1: Intro | 00:07:29 | |
This first episode of the Level Design Lobby, so I will be introducing you to what the LDL is about, discussing the future episode and what to expect from the podcast as a series. You will also get to know more about the host Max Pears. Please subscribe | |||
| 24 Aug 2020 | Level Design Lobby - Ep80: FFVII Remake | 01:19:58 | |
Joined by two brilliant guests Jonathan and Blake as we discuss our passion for the new 2020 FFVII Remake and our thoughts on the design changes they have made to update the design. | |||
| 22 Mar 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Architectual Emotion Design #120 | 00:18:38 | |
Really enjoyed this topic and feel that I only scratched the surface of it as I discuss how we can use more Architectural references in our blockouts to improve the emotion we wish players to feel within our layouts. | |||
| 14 Nov 2017 | Level Design Lobby - Ep6: Hide the Details | 00:22:49 | |
Looking at some great examples of why not showing all the details can work wonders for your game.I will take a deep dive and discuss why players learning for themselves is a powerful tool and something we as developers must trust players more to create more powerful moments. Please Subscribe to show your support | |||
| 27 Mar 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 15: Procedural Level Design | 00:47:40 | |
A very special episode as I have brought an amazing guest into the studio for you all. It is Lead Level Design Stuart Scott, Stuart is a lead LD at Ubisoft. We discuss the differences between traditional handcrafted levels and procedural, discussing the pros + cons between each method. If you enjoy please subscribe. | |||
| 26 Sep 2023 | How I Designed Cybperpunk 2077 Levels | 00:47:28 | |
Welcome to my 2023 talk on the level design process I went through, who I worked with, and the challenges we faced while developing the quest 'Chippin'In'. I breakdown, my personal design process I went through while making the level of Ebunike. ---------------------------------- | |||
| 11 Jan 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Shane Canning #115 | 00:45:14 | |
Had an absolute pleasure to have such a skilled and kind level designer who is always willing to share his knowledge and time with anyone, Senior Level Designer Shane Canning. Please Support http://bit.ly/33xpKbG Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears | |||
| 10 Apr 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 16: Splatoon Movement | 00:28:19 | |
An exciting episode as I break down the design of splatoon and how they're designers encourage players movement through the mechanics and level layout. Please support and subscribe ----- Splatoon Article: ----- | |||
| 28 Dec 2017 | Level Design Lobby: Ep9 - Concept Art | 00:33:10 | |
In this episode, two great guests join the Level Design Lobby. We break down how to break into the concept art section of the industry, how level design and concept art, work together and the difference between working in the west and the east. | |||
| 08 Oct 2024 | Unifying Vision - Devcom 2024 | 00:47:47 | |
Myself & Jonny Wilson (Snr Level Designer) present our talk, as we discuss the challenges of contracting in Level Design & how we can quickly adapt per project. While also talking about how to best speed up/communicate with our own team members with other disciplines. (This is a talk, you can watch it online on the youtube page) | |||
| 15 Dec 2020 | Level Design Lobby: Steve Thornton Mechanic Design | 00:55:52 | |
Our lovely guest Steve Thornton joins us all the way from Russia to talk about Game Design and how he has grown through his career, sharing with us, how we can all improve.
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| 29 Aug 2023 | Level Design Lobby - Career Growth Part 2 | 00:41:21 | |
Great to hear people really enjoyed the first episode and wanted to hear more, so I come here to share more tips to help learn/grow and skills to develop to progress your career. | |||
| 15 Oct 2024 | Level Design Resources #63 | 00:14:44 | |
Some incredible new resources out there for us all to learn from, so I wanted to share ones that I have enjoyed from the last month: | |||
| 11 Mar 2025 | Which Game Design Role is best for you? | 00:29:24 | |
Our industry is every changing as are the roles that are avalible for us. With that in mind, I want to talk about the different Roles and help you deicde what is best for you. | |||
| 18 Jan 2023 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Material #52 | 00:19:43 | |
Happy New Year! What a better way to kick off the new year with some incredible resources that I have seen and wish to share with you all! Art of DLC - https://youtu.be/NA1WjtGDzIU Designing Romance - https://youtu.be/vlyH_NAs3f0 Designing Death Loops first hour - https://youtu.be/rTbGuDlzkNs Call of Duty Map Design - https://youtu.be/6LjOSCLlf5s
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| 01 Dec 2021 | Level Design Lobby - Level Design Practices #111 | 00:35:59 | |
Joined by the extremely humble and ever-energetic Willem Kranendonk Level Designer over at Zynga. We talk about his design process as well as his work on Knockout City. | |||
| 12 Jun 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep20: Concept Art Interview -Pt1 | 00:36:10 | |
It is a great pleasure to bring back some old faces to the LDL as we welcome back previous guests Marthe and Ward, two Snr Concept Artists. We discuss Marthe's work on Monster Hunter World as well as our thoughts on HellBlade (Spoilers, we love it) Please support the podcast | |||
| 05 Nov 2019 | Bonus Episode: Essential Reading 25 | 00:14:48 | |
Start of the month, which means it is time to recommend some amazing reading materials from the great community of developers out there. The world of Hollow Night: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ITtPPE-pXE Combat of Indivisible: gamasutra.com/view/news/352755/T…of_Indivisible.php Dos and Dont's of CSGO Level Design: www.nextleveldesign.org/index.php?/co…-exodus-r186/ Game Makers Notebook: | |||
| 18 Oct 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 27: Design Pillars | 00:25:06 | |
It is the time where we take things back to basics, as I break down 'Design Pillars' and what they are, and how they can be useful for your game. The finally demonstrating which pillars are used for which games. Please support | |||
| 05 Nov 2024 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #64 | 00:15:41 | |
New month, new ways to level up! I have collected more resources for us to enjoy & learn from so I hope you enjoy! | |||
| 23 Jul 2019 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 47: Level Design Principles 3 | 00:21:35 | |
Back at it with some more LD Principles, giving you two core principles which I believe are key to helping improve your level design. | |||
| 18 May 2021 | Level Design Lobby: Game Design w/ Lauryn Ash #96 | 00:58:13 | |
I am joined by the incredible, energetic, designer Lauryn Ash! Lauryn has been in the industry over many years, we talk about how to design for certain emotions, as well as what to consider as you itterate! ------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact Lauryn ------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/furidashi-w-lauryn-and-nicholas/id1533677626 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact me -------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com -------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||
| 24 Apr 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 17: Ersatz | 00:50:16 | |
Episode 17 is a great one as I sit down with indie game designer Paris Stalker to discuss the design of his latest game 'Ersatz'. We break down what made him chose certain design decisions and his passion for going indie. Please support and Subscribe | |||
| 03 Feb 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #47 | 00:14:40 | |
Back at it, as I suggest fantastic and educational resources which I have consumed over the past month. Going through what I have seen, I have 5 brilliant suggestions for you to all consume. -------------------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS Bloodborne - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRDSS0xQVd0&ab_channel=TheEscapist Bubble Diagrams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-r6RFK8I7k&ab_channel=timdoesleveldesign Push and Pull - https://www.clement-melendez.com/portfolio/articles/push-pull/introduction Applying for LD Jobs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ybTn3jGEZU&ab_channel=LevelDesignLobby Lessons from a disapointing game launch - https://www.gamedeveloper.com/marketing/lessons-from-a-disappointing-game-launch-spire-of-sorcery ---------------------------------------------
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| 21 Aug 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep24: Game Details | 00:23:13 | |
To me, this is one of my favourite eps, as I take a deep dive into how some amazing devs, take ordinary parts of games. Then twist in some magic transform them into something which not only engages the players but only builds on their excellent game. Please Support: | |||
| 01 Feb 2023 | LDL - Lead 3D Artists: Jobye- Kyle #129 | 00:42:25 | |
Joined by a good friend of mine Jobye-Kyle Karmaker, we talk about the dynamic between Level Design and Enviro Art, how the education side of the industry has changed and much more! | |||
| 23 Nov 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Senior LD Jack Chapman #127 | 01:03:47 | |
Joined by Senior LD Jack Chapman to talk about his journey through the industry as well as what makes a good online presence when applying for jobs. | |||
| 31 Aug 2021 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #44 | 00:13:33 | |
I have scoured the internet to help find some of the best content to help us all learn and grow as designers. I do not know everything, so it is great to shout out other incredible devs & researchers who share their knowledge with us. ----------------------------------------- Level Design Shop ----------------------------------------- Gumroad - https://bit.ly/2WvrTUR ----------------------------------------- Resources ------------------------------------------ CGMA Level Design Course - https://www.cgmasteracademy.com/courses/46-level-design-for-games/ Meaningful Geography - http://tombattey.com/meaningful-geography-in-breath-of-the-wild/ Extra Credits Level Design 1-1 Knockout City - https://kranendonk-willem.medium.com/knockout-city-conception-to-execution-of-an-original-multiplayer-level-9fbb816dfc40 LD Livestream - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtxSnTv0d3c&t=1313s&ab_channel=LevelDesignLobby | |||
| 17 Oct 2023 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Material #57 | 00:19:56 | |
Sorry guys, things have been a bit hectic and this video was supposed to be released a couple of weeks ago. I hope you enjoy it regardless and learn from these incredible resources. | |||
| 01 Oct 2017 | Level Design Lobby Ep3: Reading Materials - How Games Move Us | 00:26:14 | |
With this episode, I will be taking the time to talk about one of my favourite books on game design with emotion How Games Move Us: Emotion by Design (Playful Thinking) Giving my thoughts and opinions on why I believe more of devs should read this book. Please Subscribe if you enjoyed All Opinions are my own ---- Book: goo.gl/p7QxJu SoundCloud: https://goo.gl/9pb4DW | |||
| 29 Mar 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Narrative Evolution #120 | 00:15:15 | |
A short episode this time, but we talk about how narrative and storytelling have evolved over the years with the medium. Ways which were previously not used and how we can constantly evolve with our world-building. | |||
| 19 Mar 2024 | Level Design Lobby - Designing Boss Battles | 00:18:53 | |
While working on my GoW level I have currently been designing a boss arena. I received some questions on twitter and want to give some advice on how you should and would design. | |||
| 14 Aug 2024 | Level Design Lobby - Acriss Discsipline Communication | 00:15:46 | |
This show primarily foucses on that of Level and Game design, we have had many guests who are involved with other roles. In this ep we want to talk about how we communicate to one another in other disciplines. | |||
| 06 Aug 2024 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #62 | 00:15:05 | |
A start of a month, only means more materials I recommend for you all to check out! | |||
| 06 Aug 2019 | Bonus Episode: Essential Reading 22 | 00:12:09 | |
Start of the month, which means it is time for more suggestions for all of you amazing Gurus! Please Support: UX in Fortnite: Level Design for Combat Story Telling with Consequences: | |||
| 28 Apr 2023 | Level Design Lobby - Designing Tools | 00:35:38 | |
I have the utmost pleasure of sitting down with the lovely Robin-Yann Storm, who is a Tools UX Designer, and discussing the tools that we use as designers and how he helps make them better for us. It is a complicated process but one that I believe is extremely eye-opening. | |||
| 08 Dec 2020 | What makes a good LD folio?//LDL#85 | 00:32:32 | |
In this episode, I try my best to explain what I think makes a strong Level Design portfolio and how you should best communicate your work when looking for work. | |||
| 13 Nov 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 30: Captain Toad | 00:21:31 | |
Welcome to the 30th episode as I take a deep dive into the level design of the great Captin Toad's Adventure, breaking down how they encourage exploration with their level design. Please Support: | |||
| 04 Sep 2018 | Level Design Lobby: Essential Reading - Ep 12 | 00:16:09 | |
Hey all, we all know what happens at the beginning of each month. We talk about others great work and share what we can learn from one another. Support the show Weather in Level Design - That Game Company Hiring the right people - gamasutra.com/view/news/325712/V…cohesive_teams.php Developers Game Club - www.devgameclub.com/blog/2018/6/27/…eus-ex-part-one Good Game Design Bosses -www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmwLPF11eos | |||
| 16 Jan 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 10: Essential Reading Extra Credits | 00:15:18 | |
Welcome to the 10th Episode of the Level Design Lobby. It is an Essential Reading episode where I talk about one of my favourite YouTube channels Extra Credits. I Share some info from my fav episodes and why I strongly believe you should follow them as they are a great source of game dev knowledge. Please Subscribe | |||
| 30 Jun 2022 | Level Design Lobby - Finding Inspiration #124 | 00:16:58 | |
When creating levels we want to make them impactful for players, but the first step to this is finding your inspiration for your levels and taking that inspiration and applying it to your work. I break down some of the inspirations I use and find when I am trying to design my work and levels. | |||
| 09 Dec 2019 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 57: 2019 | 00:41:09 | |
It has been an incredible year! This is the pinulitame episode of the year so I discuss some of the biggest games of the year and some of the biggest events of the year
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| 26 May 2020 | Q&A - Level Design Lobby: Episode 12 | 00:21:08 | |
Another great round of questions for the podcast, where I am joined by Dan Howard, as we answer your questions as best we can about game dev and level design. | |||
| 16 Jun 2020 | Level Design Lobby - Ep72: Environmental StoryTelling | 00:33:55 | |
Joined by a great guest Josh Bycer, host of Game Wisdom, we take a deep look at how Control uses amazing techniques to tell its mysterious and strange story through its environments. | |||
| 24 Jun 2020 | Level Design Lobby - Ep73: Andrei Dubinin HyperCasua | 00:32:56 | |
A fantastic guest joins me for the podcast, the lovely Andrei Dubinin who breaks down the design choices behind mobile and hyper-casual games. Not only this to inform you all of a great opportunity of their own Game Jam: my.games/jam | |||
| 09 Jun 2020 | Level Design Lobby - Ep71: The Big Picture | 00:22:07 | |
This topic was recommended by one of our members of our great community, as I talk about the overall game making process, zooming out to talk about how a game goes from an idea to the box. | |||
| 20 Oct 2020 | Level Design Lobby - Ep82: Emotional Level Design Evan Hill | 00:58:29 | |
Joined by a good friend and a designer I respect very much the fantastic Evan Hill! His latest work the Last of Us 2 has been a huge success and we talk about our design process, where he takes his inspiration and much more. Support the show: http://bit.ly/33xpKbG ----- Sponsor - LDL Store ----- ----- Contact Evan ----- Twitter - https://twitter.com/EHillGameDesign Website - https://ehilldesign.com/ ----- Contact Me ----- Twitter: twitter.com/MaxPears Website: www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com ----- Platforms ----- iTunes: goo.gl/RDWSmX YouTube: goo.gl/2pdpjg SoundCloud: goo.gl/9pb4DW | |||
| 05 Feb 2019 | Bonus Episode: Essential Reading 17 | 00:12:13 | |
Another great time my gurus, where I recommend more amazing Reading Materials for you all to check out and hopefully enjoy and learn from. 7 Intro Levels - gamasutra.com/view/news/287878/7…s_should_study.php Max Interview -www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIg6xTER_…&feature=youtu.be Next Level Design - nextleveldesign.proboards.com/page/Home Extra Credits - www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmEa-YAcFk8 | |||
| 11 Nov 2019 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 54: Blocktober | 00:21:58 | |
It has been a fantastic month of not just pigging out on sweets, but we got to look over 100s if not 1000s of amazing blockouts from many level designers. I discuss some tips to help with blockouts in the future. | |||
| 03 Jul 2018 | Level Design Lobby: Essential Reading - Ep 10 | 00:08:31 | |
It is the Essential Reading time my fellow Devs! This is the tenth episode as I go through and share some amazing articles online which have some great opinions and worth your attention. If you are enjoying please support the patreon Understanding Players - www.gamasutra.com/blogs/ArtemiyKoz…ayers_better.php Choice Overload - www.gamasutra.com/blogs/BobTilford…_to_avoid_it.php Simple game design (Card Games) - www.gamasutra.com/blogs/BobTilford…_to_avoid_it.php GDC Horizon Zero Dawn - www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8WDPmwOHKg | |||
| 04 Mar 2025 | Level Design Lobby - Reading Material #67 | 00:18:21 | |
March is here, so we are kicking off with a great list of incredible resources for you to checkout & grow from! Wanting to learn more, please join my mailing list: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X | |||
| 12 Jan 2021 | Level Design Resources - Ep 38 | 00:14:53 | |
Happy New Year everyone! Let's start the new year with a bang, as I recommend some great new LD materials for you all. Hope you enjoy and if you have some to share, leave a comment. Please Support: http://bit.ly/33xpKbG ------------------------------------------------------------------- GameDev.TV ------------------------------------------------------------------ UE4 C++ - https://bit.ly/3fg591q UE4 Blueprint - https://bit.ly/3jYvG71 Untiy 3D C# - https://bit.ly/3fmaJ2F Unity 2D C# - https://bit.ly/33ngQRZ -------------------------------------------------------------------- Reading Materials ------------------------------------------------------------------- Engagement Game - https://www.enbook.pl/catalog/product/view/id/5239431?gclid=Cj0KCQiA88X_BRDUARIsACVMYD8TZojWG65Uc5EbOp2lynCeiV-9VNG_bvHny8JAjbCLTkGQEHLjc4QaAqxKEALw_wcB Miyamoto Interview - https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/shigeru-miyamoto-wants-to-create-a-kinder-world Outpost Design - https://iuliu-cosmin-oniscu.medium.com/outpost-design-gating-and-layering-ee8875d528cd Steve Lee - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TqwlNPG3dE CreativeXP Unreal Design - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcN8K2YRsFs&feature=youtu.be --------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact Me -------------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------- Equipment -------------------------------------------------------------------- Mic Shure SM7b - https://amzn.to/2TFvEoL GOXLR Mini - https://amzn.to/3mFCqas Stream Deck mini - https://amzn.to/37SMtF8 Mic Arm - https://amzn.to/34JIc4P | |||
| 11 Mar 2019 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 38: Sebastian Long Player Research | 00:44:08 | |
This episode is one I have been planning for a long time now and happy to finally have the guest Sebastian Long join me on the show as he talks about PlayerResearch, how they help game devs make the best choice for their games.
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| 04 Dec 2018 | Bonus Episode: Essential Reading 15 | 00:17:04 | |
Not long till Xmas now my friends, so here is the gift of knowledge. We take a look at some amazing designers and what amazing resources are out there for us to learn from. Heart Breaking Boss Battles: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xYISD9xQ1Y Designing Characters as UI: gamasutra.com/view/news/330301/D…and_Battletech.php Tutorials: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFdEEzgc7pg Four Design Lessons: gamasutra.com/blogs/KeithBurgun/…veryone_but_me.php | |||
| 28 Sep 2021 | Level Design Lobby - Rob Dwiar #106 | 00:34:52 | |
Joining me today is a fantastic Journalist and Author Rob Dwiar who talks to us about his new upcoming book 'Genius Loci' and what we as level designers and world builders can learn about the nature around us and the virtual nature in games. Please Support: http://bit.ly/33xpKbG ------------------------------------------------------------- Game Texutres ------------------------------------------------------------- Link: https://gametextures.com/ Discount Code: Level99 ----------------------------------------------------------- Support Genius Loci ---------------------------------------------------------- https://unbound.com/books/geniusloci/ 10% Discount Code: CHEALSE10 Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobDwiar ----------------------------------------------------------- Let's Design Books ---------------------------------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ---------------------------------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------------- | |||
| 08 Aug 2023 | Level Design Talk - Mental Maps | 00:36:53 | |
I thought I would share an old talk I gave back in 2018, where I talk about Mental Maps, how we can encourage players to better understand and learn the layout of your map. Support the show: http://bit.ly/33xpKbG | |||
| 10 Jul 2018 | LevelDesignLobby - Ep21: Concept Art pt2 | 00:22:45 | |
Part two of my sit down with Ward and Marthe as we discuss more concept art goodness. We finish up our appreciation for Ninja Theory's Hellblade and answer some of your questions. Please support the podcast | |||
| 25 Jun 2019 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 45: E3 2019 | 00:23:32 | |
It feels so good to be back! Been too long since I have recorded an episode, I thought why not come back with an episode about my recent trip to E3! Please support: www.patreon.com/leveldesignlobby | |||
| 06 Feb 2024 | Level Design Lobby - Reduendcy Sucks, but this can help! | 00:18:01 | |
It is no secret that we have seen the biggest job losses in the industry. With over 9000 lost in 2023 and currently 6000 in 2024. I sadly was one of these, so I wish to share my experience with you all alongside that which helped me to land jobs as well. | |||
| 18 Sep 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep25: Game Details Pt 2 | 00:24:35 | |
Continuing the deep dive from the previous episode as I look into more amazing examples of great games who have managed to take a traditional game system and make it even better.
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| 22 Aug 2023 | Crafting Level Design for Combat | 00:30:19 | |
I gave a talk at Konsoll back in 2020, during could breaking down how to best set up your levels for the use of Combat. Going through elements you need to consider and how to best set up your geometry. | |||
| 11 Mar 2020 | Level Design Lobby - Ep 64: FFVII Remake Demo | 00:27:01 | |
This week I had a chanceto play through the FFVII Demo, so I thought I would break down my thoughts on the Demo as well as the level design in it. | |||
| 13 Mar 2018 | Level Design Lobby - Ep14: Zelda's Level Design Leading the Player | 00:34:04 | |
Welcome back to the second part of my breakdown of Legend of Zelda - Breath of the Wild. This episode I talk about how the designers at Nintendo, created their open world and how they used certain design techniques to encourage exploration for players. Please subscribe. | |||
