Emanuele Feronato

Talking about Game development.

I am about to complete my second one-week game. It’s not a “play until the game is over” like BallBalance or Christmas Couples, but has various levels like Circle Chain.

And “levels” means level design. One of the hardest things to do in order to make a succesful game. You can have the best game engine, but if your levels suck, the entire game will suck.

That’s why I spent a lot of time designing the levels. But I did not want to spend the time I could spend doing something more profitable, interesting or relaxing.

So I decided to design levels in the “old school” way, with pen and paper.

What? A geek using pen and paper?

Here it is the proof… I have dozens of blueprints like the ones you can see in the photo, and I am choosing the best 50 to be included in the game

Now the question is: why did you use pen and paper?

Because I designed the levels everytime I have really nothing to do, and even the minute or less waiting for the laptop to boot would be too long… or I can’t use any computer at all

An example? Going out to have a nice dinner with my wife, waiting dressed and shaved for her to choose the dress… the bag… the shoes… obviously if only I touch the keyboard, I am a dead geek.

So, while my wife is changing for the 5th time her hairstyle, I design levels.

What else should I do?

Another idle time spent designing levels is… in the bathroom. Yes! While most people read gossip magazines, I design levels.

Look! This way I can’t forget I have to designing levels while… you know…

… and if I am not satisfied with the levels, I can use them for a less noble use…

Remember that your time is precious, are you sure reading the last gossip about Britney Spears is better than doing something you will have to do anyway, maybe when you don’t have the time?

So… what will you do next time you are waiting for the dentist?

Also remember to think twice before saying the levels of my incoming game look like crap…