Level DesignIndirect Control – Oct. 9, 2012

Fall 2012Seth Sivak

Summary

Introduction

Constraints

Challenges vs. Choices

Methods of Indirect Control

Methods of Direct Control

Every decision a player makes is based off of indirect

control from the designer.

The goal of the designer is to know every decision a player

will faced and provide feedback to give the player

what they want.

What is Indirect Control?

FEEDBACK

Indirect Control

Game Design Techniques to:Setup the player

Guide the player

Teach the player

Challenge the player

Help the player

… without the player noticing

Constraints

Formal Constraints (Challenges)What should the player do?

What challenges await the player?

Framework for player

Material Constraints (Choices)What can the player do?

How can the player win?

Means for the player

Choices vs. Challenges

Choices > Challenges =

Challenges > Choices =

Challenges ~ Choices =

Lost

FrustratedFun

Indirect Control

Indirect Control

Indirect Control

Indirect Control

Indirect Control

Indirect Control

Indirect Control

Help Me!

Indirect Control

Indirect Control

Methods of Indirect Control

Implicit Goals (prior knowledge)

Explicit Goals (roleplaying)

Interface

Visual Orientation (wayfinding)

Non-Visual Feedback

Implicit Goals

Implicit Goals

Clear challenge for the player

Inherent aspiration to achieve the goal

Have the skills to complete the challenge

Explicit Goals

Interface

Semiotics

Wayfinding

Non-visual Feedback

Sound

Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Z5VKTwAls&feature=related

Character

http://youtu.be/i9JiU6b3mlw?t=7m1s

Methods of Direct Control

Inconsistencies within the worl

Incongruous rule enforcement

Out of fiction Hints/Cheats/Solutions