Design
Creativity in games has recently undergone a renaissance due to Indie developers, new formats, smaller budgets and online distribution channels as well as mainstream innovations. So contemporary game design is a challenging mix of cutting edge tech versus old school techniques like storytelling and game play. Come and be inspired by some of the world's most innovative and successful game designers offering their own top tips, and insight. The Design Track is sponsored by V&A South Kensington.
Design sessions
Getting the Job Done: Using Everything to Make your Game
Grant Allen started out as a concept artist and, within just 7 years, significantly extended his skillset to become the Lead Designer on the upcoming sequel to “Battletoads”.
Grant’s talk will cover his approach in designing a game without a formal education in game design, as well as the important key techniques and lessons learned over the course his time in the industry. In particular, he will be covering prototype techniques, working with and becoming a mentor, and the transformation of a hobby into a research-focused approach to design.
Takeaway:
- Prototyping: paper, playable and even live action
- Playing to learn: how to focus playing video games into targeted research
- Learn from others: good resources and recommended articles/videos
- Mentorship: working with a mentor and being a mentor yourself
- Getting the job done: how everything translates into making a game
Special communication in level design. How your level communicates ideas to a player and how to take control of what it is saying.
30 level design techniques that communicate ideas to your players Every decision you make when building your level will tell the player something. From locked doors and broken drain pipes to a fallen tree or a rocky outcrop lodged into the side of a hill. These all form a dialogue that the player has with the level as they play, and if used in the right way can lead the player through a space in the exact way that you intended. This talk breaks down an example level and highlights 30 level design techniques that help you take control of what your level is communicating to the player.
Takeaway:
How to make key moments more impactful
How to use special design to create tone and atmosphere
How to use create more visually interesting spaces
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Creative Assembly
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Salix Games
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Ukie
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Riot Games
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Romero Games
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Mike Bithell Games
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Hello Games
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Media Molecule
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Kate Edwards
Geogrify
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Haden Blackman
Hangar 13
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