Valeria Petruzzelli
Valeria Petruzzelli
Game Designer
CGMA: Level Design
These levels have been created in Unity 3D using the default Unity assets and extras made in Maya 3D. The main goal is to demonstrate skills in level design, environment puzzle design, and level pacing along with creating an interesting game world mainly focused on the stimulation of emotions based on the surrounding atmosphere.
Emotional Design
Overview
Role: Level Design, 3D Art
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Platform: Windows PC
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Release: 2018
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Engine: Unity
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Software: Unity, Maya 3D
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Demo
Description
This is an example of what is called "Emotional Design". Every act or district of a game, especially in storytelling games, is linked to a particular moment of the plot and, consequently, the environment is designed to support the scene and increase the perception of the emotions related to it.
The environment and the level design must recall emotions so that players feel more as part of the game world and story.
For example, if the players arrive in an enemy den, they will probably have to face a gunfight that could lead them to death. It's the designer's job to make sure that the player is psychologically and indirectly prepared to face a dangerous situation; The environment is designed so that the player can notice some warning elements such as rubble, scattered weapons, or in any case a spiky and irregular architecture.
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For example, if the players arrive in an enemy den, they will probably have to face a gunfight that could lead them to death. It's the designer's job to make sure that the player is psychologically and indirectly prepared to face a dangerous situation; The environment is designed so that the player can notice some warning elements such as rubble, scattered weapons, or in any case a spiky and irregular architecture.
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Instead, if the player has just completed a fight and is about to reach the reward he has been fighting for, the scenario will bring up feelings of peace and tranquility and will make it clear to those who play that the worst is over and that they can now lower the guard.
The environment will then be designed with natural elements, bright colors and sinuous shapes that give the idea of harmony and safety. The presence of man-made architecture is greatly reduced and leaves room for uncontaminated nature that transmits curiosity and desire for exploration.
Exploring and Combat
Overview
Role: Level Design, 3D Art
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Platform: Windows PC
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Release: 2018
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Engine: Unity
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Software: Unity, Maya 3D
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Demo
Description
This level has been designed based on 10 gold rules that I always consider when I work on a level. You can read more about them here.
It's a short third-person cover-based shooter made using Unity and Maya 3D. The level has been designed to encourage the player to explore the surroundings, get familiar with the various districts and the feelings and emotions linked to them.
The player should perceive some sort of progression, exploring environments that have a greater impact when getting closer to the final objective. Everything is enhanced by the presence of enemies along the way.