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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[gulfgiggleanimations]

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

[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!!! :)

[Alex-reqm]

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.

[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 😅

[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

[Ben_of_Milam_Music]

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

[phosphornaut]

Bubble diagrams. Excellent design technique!

[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

[maowcat]

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

[hplovecraftmacncheese]

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

[linezgames]

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

[paulchen]

does somebody have the slides for this presentation?

[preston]

jennette mccurdy casually sitting on stage just chilling.