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Level Design Lobby

by Max Pears

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/

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Episodes

  1. Beyond the Map: Strategy Guides as Game Design Documentation

    How do strategy guides reveal the thinking behind a game's design? In this episode, we explore the role of documentation in level and game design, using strategy guides as an example of how game mechanics, level layouts, puzzles, and player progression can be communicated and understood. Discover...

  2. Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #74

    October is here, so let us not wait around & get some incredible resources avalible to you lovely people. join the Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ---------- Resources ---------- Onimusha Director Interview: https://youtu.be/o3CqZXKDjRw?si=e6bl7h27S13mf03U Rebel Wolves Interview:...

  3. Press Start: The Alejandro Arque Story

    In this episode, we sit down with Creative Director Alejandro Arque. Alejandro shares his journey through the world of game design from discovering his creative voice to leading the vision behind games and experiences that engage players. We dive into the craft of building worlds, developing…

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  4. Branching Out: The Art of Skill Trees

    Back again but with a different look of something that we have not touched on before, yet an aspect that is still engaging. I am talking about Skill Trees. Going back to a classic of Final Fantasy X I have been caught up in that of its skill tree (Sphere Grid) We will be going through skill trees...

  5. Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #73

    Back at it again with more incredible resources to help you all learn & grow as developers! I have found some incredible game dev info whcih I want to share with you all, so sit back, relax and let us get educated! join the Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ---------- Resources ---------- The...

  6. Global Play: The Craft of Game Translation

    What does it take to make your favourite game feel "just right" in another language? In this episode, Yana, a game localisation specialist, takes us behind the scenes of the gaming industry. We chat about her career path, the surprising challenges of translating games, and why localisation is…

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  7. Bricks, Spells & Storytelling: Crafting Game Worlds with Raphael Kidd

    Joining me for this episode is Senior Level Designer Raphael Kidd, who has worked on an incredible range of titles including LEGO Horizon, Hogwarts Legacy, and LEGO DC Villains. Raph shares insights into his journey, along with his unique design approach across such a diverse set of projects.…

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  8. Building the Raid: Designing the World of Arc Raiders

    In this episode, I'm joined by Tim Spaninks, level designer on Arc Raiders, for a deep dive into his journey through the game industry and the craft of designing immersive worlds. We talk about how Tim broke into game development, the lessons he's learned along the way, and how creating content…

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  9. Entering the Fog: Al Yang Talks Story, Fear, and the Making of Silent Hill F

    In this exclusive interview, Creative Director Al Yang takes us deep into the unsettling world of Silent Hill F, offering a rare look into the creative vision behind the next chapter of the iconic horror franchise. Al discusses the narrative themes, artistic inspirations, and emotional core…

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  10. Designing for a new Frontier - Prashant Patil

    First ep of Nov and we are kicking off with a great interview with Co-Founder/Art Director Prshant of 'Look North World'. Formed of incredible industry Vets who are taking their skills and designing for a new space for Fortnite's User Generated Content. join the Mailing List…

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  11. 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 Kit ----------------- Buy Here:...

  12. 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://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ---------------------------- Let's Design…

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  13. 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 talking level Scripting) join the Mailing List:...

  14. 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 ---------- Silent Hill F: http://bit.ly/45IKGjr Mike Bithell...

  15. 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 List: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X…

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  16. 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 ------------------------------------------------ Resources...

  17. 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 ------------------------------------------------ Designing Dagger Heart -...

  18. 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. --------------------------- DaggerHeart --------------------------- Pick up the game...

  19. 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 Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4gYaJ9d...

  20. 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/4eNPm8X ---------------------- Let's Design Books...

  21. 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://bit.ly/4eNPm8X...

  22. 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 Design into that of Narrative Design. For more LD Info…

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  23. 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/4eNPm8X ----------------------------- Game Dev Heroes...

  24. 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 -------------------------------------- GameDevHeroes ------------------------------------- Please…

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  25. 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://bit.ly/4eNPm8X --------------------------------------...

  26. 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.ly/4eNPm8X --------------------------------------...

  27. 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 ------------------------------------- Please vote for me:...

  28. 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/4eNPm8X ------------------------------ Level Design Products...

  29. 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 Letter: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X...

  30. 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 ----------------------------------------~ Preproduction Blueprint Book -...

  31. 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.com/8f93fd3883 #podcast #gamesdev #leveldesign

  32. 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/4eNPm8X ---------------------------------- Level Design...

  33. 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-composer-1309.kit.com/b1a408e208...

  34. 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 Effective Feedback Book:...

  35. 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 really impressed with. So let us sit down and discuss them....

  36. 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 -...

  37. 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 members with other disciplines. (This is a talk, you can…

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  38. 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 ways to improve. ----------------------------- Let's Design...

  39. 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://www.patreon.com/leveldesignlobby...

  40. 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 Emergent Tokyo: https://amzn.eu/d/8JPSebj Little Kitty Big...

  41. 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 ---------------------------------- Let's Design Books...

  42. 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 to share some tips which I have learned over my time....

  43. 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:...

  44. 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 the reason you may end up taking over another work, which...

  45. 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 LD in each of these stages....

  46. 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: https://youtu.be/Ieg5qv1JYuU?feature=shared Oki Sato...

  47. 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. ------------------------------------------ Let's Design Books...

  48. 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?s=20 ------------------------------------------ Let's…

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  49. 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 -...

  50. 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 talk about the possibility of how Unionising as gamedevs…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

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/

HOSTED BY

Max Pears

Produced by Level Design Lobby

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Level Design Lobby have?

Level Design Lobby currently has 272 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Level Design Lobby 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:...

How often does Level Design Lobby release new episodes?

Level Design Lobby publishes regularly with 272 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Level Design Lobby?

You can listen to Level Design Lobby on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Level Design Lobby?

Level Design Lobby is created and hosted by Max Pears.
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