Context:

-School production of a video game.

-Multi-disciplinary team of approx. 50 juniors.

-1 month of pre-production for game design.

-15 weeks of production. (April 11th to July 22nd)

-Create 100% of the game’s content from scratch.

 

**Gameplay trailer in production**

 

My Roles and responsibilities: ​

General Game Design

-Design and code menus and UIs. (CSS and C#)

-Design the inventory system and the map.

-Adapt the designs as the game evolves.

-Create documentation for team members on how to produce organic tutorials.

-Analyze my coworkers’ designs and propose solutions.

Level Design

-Follow the intended game progression.

-Design and build level 1 of the game.

-In charge of most gameplay introductions and the first impressions of players.

-Cooperate with a level artist for the visuals and lighting.

-Polish collisions for the final product.

 

Other

-Playtest the game and report bugs.

-Edit the game’s trailer.

 

What I learned:

-I learned to focus on my assigned tasks: When I see problems or incoherences in designs that are not under my responsibility, I notify the responsible parties, propose solutions and let it go (unless it's major).
-Putting personal differences aside to communicate professionally with coworkers.

-People can be very attached to their ideas, therefore diplomacy is a must.

-New ways of giving timely, constructive criticism.

 

Comments:

-Regardless of the production challenges, I love game design!