Im new here so I hope I put this is the correct place.
Im having a bit of a hard time figuring out what aspect of game development best suits me. I have a real passion for level/ environment creation like placing assets(such as props and more organic items like trees), creating layouts, texturing, lighting…etc but Im not too interested in 3D modelling. I have a basic knowledge of modelling in 3Ds max but nothing great. I have done abit of research into this but I just need an extra helping hand.
Are there any aspects of level/environment creation that doesnt involve 3D modelling?
A level designer is someone who would mostly be working with the game editor, being able to design a level and use a set of assets. Includes stuff like lighting and even some gameplay setup (like Blueprints/Kismet). It could include modeling depending on what studio you’re working with–like a small studio might not be able to have separate people for modeling and level design.
^ What darth said, level designers don’ts necessarily make the models for the level. More often they just place the assets in an aesthetic way (lighting,props etc), you have artists who make the models for you, depends on the company you work for.
Umm… Sorry for being a little bit rude, but you enjoy just drag’n’drop existing content into level and not interested in modeling?
How can you design your level, implement idea from your head into level if you not interested in creating your stuff for level?
I just don’t understand ._.
As darthviper and JackOfSpades mentioned, for larger teams it’s not unusual for there to be dedicated level designers.
To the OP, I’d suggest beefing up your Blueprint skills and make sure to put in your own gameplay to your levels, as understanding at least a little bit of gameplay scripting will give you an edge over someone that does level design but doesn’t script at all (plus you can make simple games that way, which are better portfolio pieces than just level design shots etc.).
You will also greatly benefit from learning the various pieces required to set up a character etc. vs. just doing a flying camera as that touches a lot of systems (animation graphs, movement controller etc.).
So that’s my suggestion - make as many levels as possible and add simple gameplay to them (maybe exploration/puzzle based, so you don’t need much logic, but it’s still fun) and put them up on a portfolio.
It’s still a lot about designing important parts of the game, you need to understand gameplay along with the artistic stuff and knowing how to use sets of assets and make things look interesting.
I think of level designer basically the same as I do an interior designer. The best interior designers often make their own furniture or art pieces when they have to, to fulfill a particular vision for a space, but they don’t have to, most of what they need to do their job is “off the shelf” or they might work with a craftsman who augments them.
So I don’t think a level designer needs to be a artist/modeler as well to be successful, but I certainly think knowing both aspects gives you the potential to be a better designer.
That’s a weird way of looking at it, watching the home improvement shows they very rarely make their own furniture and it’s more about the layout and knowing colors and what styles go together.
I think it’s hard though to develop a portfolio as a level designer if you don’t make your own assets, it’s hard to impress people when you are using the assets that come with the engine or something like that.
I started as a tester, then became a Level Designer. That was on a PS2 game and I did not make my own assets. The scripting part of it interested me the most though. I’ve been a programmer the last 8 years now, but I still do some design but I do not make any assets.
A designer does not need to be able to make his own assets, but the more well rounded you are the more opportunities you will have, especially on smaller teams. If you just want to make games and don’t care what you do, learn programming, everybody needs them and it pays good.
Thank you all for the replies, they’re extremely helpful!
So what is the next step for me if I want to pursue a career as a level designer?
Dont worry about it
Well I have been spending the past two years doing every thing from programming and level design to sound and concept art but 3D modelling has just always frustrated me.
