Advice Please : Level Design

[phildoc]

Hi there,

As you can see from the title of the topic I’m new to making levels and I’m looking for some help. What I don’t want is a score out of 10, which quite a few level topics have. The reason I don’t want a score is because I know that it’s not good enough or as good as I can make it (hopefully) and so there would be no point in having it scored.

As you can see below is a screen shot of the level I made. I know many of you could quite easily pick it apart, but I would rather you didn’t. Comments are welcome, preferably constructive.

Now when I look at that, I know there is stuff missing, it is too empty as a whole I feel. Too much plain grass, or something and I need to know what you would, or think I should put in it.

Those of you feeling more creative, the level is there for you to download and modify/edit to how you would do it, take a screen shot and post it up.

If this on going tutorial goes well, then if you guys don’t mind we’ll try things like houses etc. as well, but most people seem to go for the ‘Rate My Level’ type thing, so I don’t know how well this will go.

Like I said, constructive comments please, although on the other hand I do need to know what you think. Just break it to me easily heh.

Thanks in advance,

Phil

P.S - No i'm not sure what is going on with the top right heart, must be paint

[Crono]

clump detail together, like those grass blades. Connect trees, be random.

[phildoc]

Ok, i'll give it a go.

I was thinking of 'Sticking' trees together, but I kind of thought that that was more for 'edge' levels to fill up space. No offence to anyone who does that, it does look quite good, but well, ya heh..

Do people think that the 'no bush' thing works well next to the path or not?

Phil

[Crono]

bushes should be around trees, same with mushrooms and possibly swamps O_o

[zell12]

Swamps and bushes go together nicely. Grass and those silly single-tile things go nice together.

Trees should be grouped, but never "squared" off; hope you understand that.

Also, that path you used should be changed to a dirt path, along with some puddles around the level.

There are many tutorials in this section, look em up.

[GoZelda]

It's too empty as you though. Add some level decorations such as some of the swamp grass etc. together, a pack of trees wouldn't be bad, some puddles, etc.

[GoZelda]

Alright, so I decided to give it a shot. Note that my level sucks but it is a crappy how-to add some filling to your level. Up to you to do that without the 500+ tile errors.

I added some tree cluster thingies, and put together some clusters of the grass tile thingies. And I added a dirt and water puddle. Those are the main fillers [and cliffs].

[haro41]

i see no problem with that level.

[Doahh_p2p]

Originally Posted by haro41

i see no problem with that level.

You must be blind or very sarcastic

[haro41]

ohhhhhh. oh. yeah wait now i see it, yeah that level has tile errors..

[xAndrewx]

Nifty ,I recomend you looking through the pics1.png located in graal2001 main folder. Just to get to know where **** is.

[syltburk]

Both levels posted are bad tiling, it doesnt look creative... add some cliffing maybe? more trees? etc etc..

[syltburk]

I gave it a go, forgive me for being to lazy to fix the tile errors and fixing the cliff shades zzZzzZz..

Some times you just feel that your eyes are bleeding.


Well something like this... I could make it better if you want me too? Im just really tired right now and needs to get off the level making zzZzz

[GoZelda]

Originally Posted by syltburk

I gave it a go, forgive me for being to lazy to fix the tile errors and fixing the cliff shades zzZzzZz..

Some times you just feel that your eyes are bleeding.


Well something like this... I could make it better if you want me too? Im just really tired right now and needs to get off the level making zzZzz

holy leet :o

[Crono]

haha jaffer you're getting your 1337 skillz back

[xAndrewx]

Worst level I have seen you make, Cliff's are all wrong, Shadow's are aswell. Even the tree's. House look's like it is offground but then goes back onto ground..

[syltburk]

Originally Posted by xAndrewx

Worst level I have seen you make, Cliff's are all wrong, Shadow's are aswell. Even the tree's. House look's like it is offground but then goes back onto ground..

You never read what I wrote did you?

[Aknts]

Didn't read the thread just look at terrible levels.. anyways if you want to get better trying doing a couple tutorials.

There is a sticky thread perfect for you..
http://forums.graalonline.com/forums...ad.php?t=47045

You can check out my tutorial, one of Gori's and some hints from other like Eric1337 and mmmkay. If you were around about 2 years ago you would be building with a crowd of the best Level Makers to walk Graal. Now they all left.

[syltburk]

Originally Posted by Aknts

Didn't read the thread just look at terrible levels.. anyways if you want to get better trying doing a couple tutorials.

There is a sticky thread perfect for you..
http://forums.graalonline.com/forums...ad.php?t=47045

You can check out my tutorial, one of Gori's and some hints from other like Eric1337 and mmmkay. If you were around about 2 years ago you would be building with a crowd of the best Level Makers to walk Graal. Now they all left.

Wow you must really look at yourself like a master lat, at least you sound like it...
Lets all hail Spanky the allmighty one who obviously is one of the "BEST" "level" "makers" on "graal"

[zell12]

Well, there are some of us still left on here.

But I really don't think Spanky is trying to act like he is the best at all. ^_^

[phildoc]

Well, last few days I have been setting up my new PC.

I've just sat down to do some work on the level, and thought before I do it all and post, i'll show you what I have change (Very Little) and see if you like it. ::EDIT:: The style of it that is.

Phil

[Aknts]

Originally Posted by syltburk

Wow you must really look at yourself like a master lat, at least you sound like it...
Lets all hail Spanky the allmighty one who obviously is one of the "BEST" "level" "makers" on "graal"

Know I don't think I am the best but I do think I know what I am talking about. ****.

[haro41]

i think the cliff shaping is great, they dip in an out in tight angles, but still look natural around bends.
a big improvement since the beginning of the thread

[phildoc]

Ok, first off, thanks for all the replies.

Second, two noob questions:

1) How do you take screen shot of the whole level?
2) How do you get the trees to look like that, is that all tile work or gifs/whatever? Mine ‘squares off’ when I try to do it.

Now, the next question is to GoZelda - I’m not sure how you’d feel about this, probably not to good but the adapted level you made, would you be able to stick it up so I can download and use parts off the cliffs? I started making some but couldn’t get the shape I wanted because I couldn’t find the tiles to do it. If you would mind, it would be very much appreciated.

Back to open questions. In the attachment where I have ringed the grass edge, is there any way of avoided the ‘outlined’ and ‘un-outlined’ grass edge so it is constant. I.e. one or the other?

Phil

[GoZelda]

Originally Posted by phildoc

Ok, first off, thanks for all the replies.

No problem, you were really polite =]

Originally Posted by phildoc

1) How do you take screen shot of the whole level?

Go fullscreen in the level editor -> play - alt+f4alt+f4 = alt+2

Originally Posted by phildoc

2) How do you get the trees to look like that, is that all tile work or gifs/whatever? Mine ‘squares off’ when I try to do it.GoZelda

Check the green tiles right under the house tiles =]

Originally Posted by phildoc

GoZelda

You meant Jaffer?

[phildoc]

Originally Posted by GoZelda

alt+f4 = alt+2?

Originally Posted by GoZelda

Check the green tiles right under the house tiles =]

Thanks.

Originally Posted by GoZelda

You meant Jaffer

Maybe heh..

Same question to Jaffer..

Phil

[zell12]

I still dislike the path, after that i'll get after you for some other stuff.

[phildoc]

Out of these houses, which do you think is the best ?

The only changes are the posts, i'm just interested.

Phil

[WanDaMan]

Neither; use roof tiles.

If you need any help or advice e-mail me or send me an IM over AIM.
AIM- prxir2
E-Mail- [email protected]

[syltburk]

Originally Posted by phildoc

Out of these houses, which do you think is the best ?

The only changes are the posts, i'm just interested.

Phil

Im not a big fan of people talking about realism, but this just looks way off the limit.

I agree with Wan, use roof

[phildoc]

Originally Posted by syltburk

Im not a big fan of people talking about realism, but this just looks way off the limit.

What do you mean ?

Phil

[Blitz_Hunter]

Originally Posted by phildoc

What do you mean ?

Phil

Houses usually don't have roofs with grass and a table.

[syltburk]

Thats what you need.

[phildoc]

Originally Posted by Blitz_Hunter

Houses usually don't have roofs with grass and a table.

This is true, although if I were to do loads of houses it wouldn't be on every one.

The problem I have is I don;t really like the 'new' roof tops

Phil

[syltburk]

That upper house could be something

[Snakeandy7]

I could say so much.

[syltburk]

Good luck learning , Wan will be great for you.