Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Mario Level Design

--ArodZ--

After 2 years in college, I finally got the oportunity to finally apply my 3D skills in a game. This level was all created using the Unreal 3 Editor, this is the same engine that was used to make games like, Unreal Tournament 3, Gears of War, or Bioshock. It is a very powerful engine and I'm barely learning how to use it.

This small level is my midterm for my Level Design class, in which we needed to create a level where the player could learn how to use the jump boots. Throughout the level you will notice that there is a very strong emphasis on the jumping mechanics of the game.

For this project I went the extra mile, and learnt a bit of Kismet, which is the programing language of the Unreal 3 Engine. I used this little bit of programming, to change the perspective of the camera, since it's generally a first person game. I also added a life system, wher the player gets 3 lives to complete the level or he gets a game over screen, and has to start again. I also added three coins to the level, I will add more if I come back to this project, but for now it's just a test.

I also added some triggers to move the pipes and the flags at the end, as well as learning a bit of animation inside the engine to move the blocks and the flag. And of course some small sound to complete experience and the mario theme.

In the video, you'll see me going through my level, play testing it inside the editor. I will demostrate how the health system works (by killing myself repeatedly..:S). You'll be able to see and listen how the coins get picked up, as well as the spawining point of the player. I will demostrate the jumping mechanics of the game, and some of the obstacle the player has to face. You will also notice a change of music when the player changes areas, and also at the end of the level.

It is very simple, although it took me 4 days to complete it. But I'm sure I will have a much more in depth project for my final project since I'll have 6 weeks to work on it, and not 4 days..:S.

Anywyas, let me know if you have more ideas of what you would like to see in a Mario themed level.Enjoy!

(I apologize in advance for the quality (or lack of quality) of the video..thanks.)





--ArodZ--

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Amazing!!!!! It's better than playing the traditional Mario, but with the same rhythm and music...
Congratulations!