Level Design Lobby
Technology
About
The Level Design Lobby, breaks down game and level design techniques, showing how they are used within games, as well as how we can improve upon them. It also shares reading material to its audience, while providing interviews with industry professionals. Please Subscribe----Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxpearsWebsite: http://www.maxpears.com/
Episodes
- Global Play: The Craft of Game Translation
This episode features game localization specialist Yana discussing her career path and the complexities of game translation. The conversation covers the challenges involved and emphasizes that game localization is more than just translatin…
- Bricks, Spells & Storytelling: Crafting Game Worlds with Raphael Kidd
Raphael Kidd, Senior Level Designer with experience on titles like LEGO Horizon and Hogwarts Legacy, shares insights into his design journey and approach on the Level Design Lobby podcast. The discussion includes his work on Hogwarts Legac…
- Building the Raid: Designing the World of Arc Raiders
Tim Spaninks, level designer for Arc Raiders, shares his experience in the game industry and his approach to level design for the game. The discussion covers breaking into game development, lessons learned, content creation, and the practi…
- Entering the Fog: Al Yang Talks Story, Fear, and the Making of Silent Hill F
Creative Director Al Yang shares insights into the development of Silent Hill F, detailing the game's narrative, artistic direction, and approach to psychological horror. The discussion covers the game's setting, characters, creatures, and…
- Designing for a new Frontier - Prashant Patil
The podcast features an interview with Prashant Patil, Co-Founder and Art Director at Look North World. Patil and his team, comprised of industry veterans, are focusing on designing for a new space within Fortnite's User Generated Content.
- Blocktober Starter Pack
Hey All, Thank you for all reaching out and supporting the Level Design Kit. I have heard the cry for a better understanding of how to use these tools. I wanted to give a bit more of a deatiled break down so please enjoy. -----------------…
- Level Design Lobby - Blocktober Plans
Hey All, We are blasting through Sept way quicker than I want haha, but I wanted to announce the plan of what I will be doing come October for Blocktober and hopefully I can hear what you are all thinking! join the Mailing List: https://bi…
- Scripting in Games ft Vladimir Gaidenko
A banger of an episode today as I am joined by the Associate Lead Scripter Vladimir Gaidenko. We break down his career and what his time is like balancing that of his leadership abilities while scripting the games he works on (We are talki…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #72
Welcokme in the autumn, by welcoming in more great resources, as we talk about more tools & the wrap up from Gamescom. Take a look what you might enjoy and grow from. join the Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ---------- Resources -----…
- Creative Arcades : Re-desgining the Box
A slightly different episode as we are joined by Brian Horowitz the founder of Creative Arcade. We talk about how arcades have changes over the years and what innovations they have designed when creating thier projects. join the Mailing Li…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #71
Welcome everyone, it is a new month, so time to talk about some cool elements which we have found! Editing took a little longer on this but we hope you enjoy! Sign up to Newletter: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X -----------------------------------…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #70
Mixing it up for June but still have new recommendations for all you to check out and learn from. Sign up to Newletter: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ------------------------------------------------ Resources -------------------------------------…
- DaggerHeart - Designing TTPRGS
A different style fo design but one still so interesting for us to check out learn more about. I am joined by Spencer and Rowan as we talk about how they crafted both the mechanics and narrative for DaggerHeart. ---------------------------…
- Designing Knowledge for Others
This episode was a great to for me, as I was joined by the lovely Stuart Maine. A Veteran Designer who has been working on games for generations! We explore his thoughts on designing through times, different projects, and leadership. Join…
- The Balancing Act of Leadership
Second episode of May, I want to talk to you all about some of the hard realities of leadership and what needs to be considered. We talk about new ideas from the team vs that of production timelines. join the Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Material #69
May baby, which means it is the start of the month, for us to talk about all the other great resources we have seen that I want to share with all of you. Best way to learn is through other incredible designers. Sign up to Newletter: https:…
- Designing for Engaging Narrative
Hey All, It is not just me on today's episode! We have an incredible guest joining us with Tom Huges Lead Narrative Designer (Great Ape Studios) I really enjoyed this ep as we take a dive into his career and how he has developed from Game…
- The Cost of The Level Design Kit
End of last year I launched the Level Design Kit, so I want to walk through the process of making the kit, markting & profit made. Follow for the process of making Level Design. For more LD Info join the Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Material #68
It may be April's fools, but there are no fools here! Let us go through some incredible resources by other amazing devs! Wanting to learn more, please join my mailing list: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X -------------------------------------- Game…
- Level Design Portfolios - Design Tips
Standing out in a crowded space can be hard, I want to talk about tips I have seen by others to make great looking & eye catching portfolios which I want to share with all of you. Wanting to learn more, please join my mailing list: https:/…
- Which Game Design Role is best for you?
Our industry is every changing as are the roles that are avalible for us. With that in mind, I want to talk about the different Roles and help you deicde what is best for you. Wanting to learn more, please join my mailing list: https://bit…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Material #67
March is here, so we are kicking off with a great list of incredible resources for you to checkout & grow from! Wanting to learn more, please join my mailing list: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X -------------------------------------- GameDevHeroes…
- A day in the life of Level Design Leadership
I am still very early in my leadership role, but want to discuss what I have learned and what the role of a lead actually is! I hope you enjoy hearing what I have to say. Subscribe to my News Letterfor More LD Goodness: https://bit.ly/4eNP…
- Best Unreal Tools for Level Designers!!
Start of the new year is still in effect, and I am sure like many of you, you are itching to make new levels! With this video I want show you some of the best tools avalible to help improve your work for Unreal. Please subscribe to my News…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Material #66
Start of Feb, so let us kick it off with more great resources for us to all grow & learn from! Wanting to learn more, please join my mailing list: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ----------------------------------------- Resources -----------------…
- Level Design Kit - Updates
More great updates are here for the Level Design Kit: https://fab.com/s/1a71419591fc as I share the latest changes and why this is a great tool kit for all level designers to pick up Join the mailing list: https://skilled-composer-1309.kit…
- Level Design Lobby - Gaming Industry, What's Changed?
It is no secret that our industry is going through a difficult time, and so much is and has changed that I wanted to share some of my thoughts on what has changed and what to keep your eyes open for. Join the mailing list: https://bit.ly/4…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #65
Happy New year all! It is graet to be back in 2025 with some awesome new resources which I have found over the Xmas break. If you are looking to get back into the learning then check these out. Join the mailing list: https://skilled-compos…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #64
New month, new ways to level up! I have collected more resources for us to enjoy & learn from so I hope you enjoy! ----------------------------------------------------- Resources ----------------------------------------------------- Giving…
- Level Design Lobby - Silent Hill a Short Message
Happy Halloween All, I am very excited to talk about that of a horror game which released at the start of 2024 & what to take away from it. Silent Hill: A Short Message is not the perfect horror game, but has some great ideas which I was r…
- Level Design Resources #63
Some incredible new resources out there for us all to learn from, so I wanted to share ones that I have enjoyed from the last month: --------------------------------- Resources --------------------------------- Training Designers - https:/…
- Unifying Vision - Devcom 2024
Myself & Jonny Wilson (Snr Level Designer) present our talk, as we discuss the challenges of contracting in Level Design & how we can quickly adapt per project. While also talking about how to best speed up/communicate with our own team me…
- Level Design Lobby - Hobbies to improve your Design Skills
We talk A LOT about how to improve our skills, which could be through editor, theory & communication. But we can also improve in other ways, by being creative in other ways. In this episode I talk about what I think are some handy & fun wa…
- Level Design Lobby - Acriss Discsipline Communication
This show primarily foucses on that of Level and Game design, we have had many guests who are involved with other roles. In this ep we want to talk about how we communicate to one another in other disciplines. Support the channel: https://…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #62
A start of a month, only means more materials I recommend for you all to check out! --------------------------------- Resources --------------------------------- Dami Lee - Distrubing Prisons: https://youtu.be/Yfo21u8bf-o?feature=shared Em…
- Level Design Lobby - Lead Level Designer Leo Mah
This episode I am joined by Lead Level Designer Leo Mah, who shares his journey to that of a Lead Designer. Breaking down what makes a good lead and work on his past projects. Support the show: http://bit.ly/33xpKbG -----------------------…
- Level Design Lobby - How to approach Stealth Design
In this episode, I have taken a deep dive on of my favourite levels to play when growing up which was stealth levels. I was a huge fan of both MGS & Splinter Cell franchises, now we see some form of stealth in many of our games. So I wish…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #61
A month of incredible resources avalible for us to learn from, I share some of my fav over the month: ------------------------------------- Resources ------------------------------------- Research for Caraclismo: https://www.gamedeveloper.…
- Level Design Lobby - Redesigning Others Levels
An aspect that is not always spoken about is the fact that during development, time is not always on the team's side. This can be because work is not split evenly, deadlines, holidays, or possibly someone leaving the company. Regardless of…
- Level Design Lobby - Design through production
As we develop games there are multiple stages of processes we go through: - Preproduction - Production - Polish As LDs our role & focus will change to best meet those stages of production. I will talk through what it is that makes a good L…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #60
April is upon us, so let us celebrate it with an incredible list of great resources to help us all learn and grow from one another. ---------------------------------- Resources ----------------------------------- Industrial Design Trends:…
- Level Design Lobby - Inspiring Through Design
Design is not a solo journey but one in which to achieve the best designs possible we work with incredible other devs and disciplines. So we must figure out how to inspire, learn, compromise and design with others. ------------------------…
- Level Design Lobby - Designing Boss Battles
While working on my GoW level I have currently been designing a boss arena. I received some questions on twitter and want to give some advice on how you should and would design. Questions: https://x.com/MaxPears/status/1745015457600471045?…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Material #59
Start of the month and here are the recommended resources which I think are very much worth checking out to learn from! ---------------------------------- Resources ----------------------------------- Great Game Designer Book - https://www…
- Level DesignLobby - Unionise
I was not feeling good the week I recorded this as I am sure many of you have seen it had been nonstop layoffs for nearly the whole of January. This affected some good friends of mine as well as my own mental health. For this, I want to ta…
- Level Design Lobby - Tools to make Level Design Better
In our career, we use a lot of different tools to construct and build our worlds. I wanted to talk about some that have helped in my experience. Each game is different & requires different equipment to improve our work. -------------------…
- Level Design Lobby - Reduendcy Sucks, but this can help!
It is no secret that we have seen the biggest job losses in the industry. With over 9000 lost in 2023 and currently 6000 in 2024. I sadly was one of these, so I wish to share my experience with you all alongside that which helped me to lan…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Material #58
Happy 2024, we are back with the podcast and no better place to start than that of the resources we should read and enjoy! ----------------------------------- Resources ----------------------------------- GDC Boss Mode: https://www.youtube…
- Level Design Lobby - Giving Talks
This year I have been fortunate enough to attend multiple conferences giving talks. So I felt that I had to share some tips I have found over the years which I have given talks and from me attending multiple talks out there. --------------…
- Level Design Lobby - Reading Material #57
Sorry guys, things have been a bit hectic and this video was supposed to be released a couple of weeks ago. I hope you enjoy it regardless and learn from these incredible resources. Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Eb…