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 ways to improve. ----------------------------- Let's Design Books ------------------------------ Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com Twitter: https://x.com/MaxPears

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://www.patreon.com/leveldesignlobby ----------------------------- Let's Design Books ------------------------------ Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears

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 Emergent Tokyo: https://amzn.eu/d/8JPSebj Little Kitty Big City: https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/how-little-kitty-big-city-was-designed-to-steal-hearts-and-fish Keyboard Design: https://youtu.be/FLdCY4pKNV0?feature=shared Shaping Interior Spaces: https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/shaping-interior-space-bundle-book--studio-access-card-4th-revised-edition/roberto-j-rengel/book/9781501326707.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkdO0BhDxARIsANkNcrdc4F4v59n4aPDvTe6UUTWT_9oI9BFLZyMoF9-Xz68NHczh-q49ioIaAh-dEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds ----------------------------- Let's Design Books ------------------------------ Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com

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 ---------------------------------- Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Leo Mah ----------------------------------- Website: https://www.leomah.com/ LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/leomah0308 --------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com -----------------------------------

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 to share some tips which I have learned over my time. ----------------------------- Stealth Resources ---------------------------- Common Stealth Mistakes - https://youtu.be/ysXTQgHP-NY?feature=shared LD for Stealth Games - https://youtu.be/EIgwEZFEsB4?feature=shared ---------------------------- Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com -----------------------------------

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.com/art/cataclismo-shows-how-devs-can-be-inspired-by-their-home-regions Cyberpunk GDC Talk: https://youtu.be/lXLRd5Kah-I LD of Bloodborne: https://youtu.be/mPHbokODbeM Colour Book: https://store.philamuseum.org/papier-tigre-color-inspiration-book-volume-i/ Fireside Chat: https://youtu.be/UlckHuZQpNo Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com -----------------------------------

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 the reason you may end up taking over another work, which can be great but also challenging, so let us talk about what we can do once handed ownership. ------------------------------------------ Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com -----------------------------------

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 LD in each of these stages. ------------------------------------------ Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com ----------------------------------- #gamedev #leveldesign #podcast #leveldesignlobby

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: https://youtu.be/Ieg5qv1JYuU?feature=shared Oki Sato Interview: https://youtu.be/c3TPbj2_Xjg?feature=shared LD Comparisons: https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/level-design-compare-fps-vs-tps-games Immersion In Games: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ZKEQe1Syp3TjBtRwRfLTy Architect Compares CP vs Starfiel vs StarCitizen: https://youtu.be/sbOFw1NgUj4?feature=shared ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com #gamedev #leveldesign #podcast

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. ------------------------------------------ Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: / maxpears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com ----------------------------------- #gamedev #leveldesign #podcast #leveldesignlobby

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?s=20 ------------------------------------------ Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: / maxpears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com ----------------------------------- #gamedev #leveldesign #podcast #leveldesignlobby

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.amazon.co.uk/Role-Great-Game-Designer-Handbook/dp/1777993202 Return to Monkey Island - https://youtu.be/SdWzlDwxBmQ?feature=shared Graveyard of Features - https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/the-graveyard-of-features-in-games-when-stuff-that-seemed-promising-just-doesn-t-work Suda 51 Career - https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/suda51-on-25-years-of-making-strange-masterpieces-at-grasshopper-manufacture IGN Unionise - https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/ign-workers-are-unionizing-under-newsguild-cwa ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: maxpears​ Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com #gamedev #leveldesign #podcast

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 talk about the possibility of how Unionising as gamedevs could possibly help us in the future. That is by joining a union, here are some of the pages in a few different countries: UK GameDev Union: https://www.gameworkers.co.uk/ Poland: https://gamedevunion.pl/en/main-en/ France: https://www.stjv.fr/en/news-en/ Union Articles: https://www.polygon.com/gaming/23538801/video-game-studio-union-microsoft-activision-blizzard https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/jan/20/video-game-developers-union-membership-in-uk-soars-after-thousands-laid-off ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com -----------------------------------

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. ---------------------------------- Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com ----------------------------------- #gamedev #leveldesign #podcast #leveldesignlobby

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 land jobs as well. ---------------------------------- Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com -----------------------------------

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.com/watch?v=TO23gOGZkcA&ab_channel=GDC Anime Animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZsboyfs-L4&ab_channel=NewFramePlus How to steal like an artist: https://rb.gy/dytul4 Gamedev Bussiness Book: https://rb.gy/nmuuo9 The Raid -Breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNkeEZ1EHbo&ab_channel=Storytellers ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: / maxpears​ Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com

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. ----------------------------------- Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com #leveldesign #gamedev #podcast

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 ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Resources ----------------------------------- Death of Unity - https://youtu.be/1zuZaJE3n-4?feature=shared Satoshi Kon Editing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz49vQwSoTE&ab_channel=EveryFrameaPainting Must play Baulders 3 quest - https://www.gamedeveloper.com/blogs/this-baldur-s-gate-3-quest-is-a-must-play-for-designers Spatial Composition - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIsLDFD8E7s&ab_channel=LevelDesignLobby Lettering in Comics- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9tbi4GaPNL8 ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears​ Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com

Welcome to my 2023 talk on the level design process I went through, who I worked with, and the challenges we faced while developing the quest 'Chippin'In'. I breakdown, my personal design process I went through while making the level of Ebunike. ---------------------------------- Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com

Sharing my talk which I gave out in Norway back in Konsoll 2021. The topic I focus on is on how we can help guide players through our levels using spatial communication. As it allows players to build up their own mental map of our levels. ---------------------------------- Let's Design Books ----------------------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------------------- Contact Me ---------------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxPears Website: https://www.maxpears.com/​ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com