BogusMeatFactory wrote:Here are some tips for people in level design, because seriously, a lot of these levels are driving me nuts looking at.
1. Reward players, don't punish them - Yeah, I get it, You Wanna Be the Guy so Kaizo and all that jazz, but seriously, if you want to have players enjoy your game, reward them. Have power ups, after difficult obstacles and jumps. The only place you should be focusing on trolling a player is in a boo house. That is where they belong and people will know not to trust the environment.
2. We love symmetry - One of the big things a lot of people forget, or never notice is symmetry. When placing blocks and jumps, including some sort of symmetry, even if it is merely aesthetic it makes things more appealing to players.
3. Leave Surprises - Another great way to reward players is to leave surprises. Hidden blocks with power-ups, 1-ups etc. are a great way to make a player feel more accomplished. Don't leave surprises in a negative way like having a hidden block located at a complicated jump. Again, that makes things pointlessly difficult and not fun. Leaving lots of secrets makes players want to explore your level more and makes them enjoy it more.
4. Ease People in to it - A lot of new features are introduced into Mario Maker. Stackable enemies, different enemy power-ups etc. are all great new features that can lead to some interesting level design that freshens the Mario formula. The thing is, you can make a lot of interesting combinations in these features that people may not be used to, so ease them into it by introducing them early in the level and make them progressively more complex. Want a Piranha plant on wheels? Introduce Piranha plants, then on wheels, and then a piranha plant attached to bullet bills etc. Amp up the complexity through the level.
5. Stick to a theme - A lot of people love to just throw everything into the level and be like BOOM! MASTERPIECE! The reality is, if you pick a theme, stick to it. Underwater levels shouldn't just have a million goombas floating in the water, unless you are re-enacting the Normandy invasion with Goombas. (Wait that sounds like a great idea!). Have themes, enemies and obstacles that all gel together and keep the level consistent with those obstacles. You don't tend to see levels with Bullet bills, Fireballs, Bowser shooting Flames, Flame Wheels and Piranha Plants firing at you all at once. The reason is because that is too much. You need to stick to themes so that players can know what to expect and adapt. You ramp up the complexity with a set number of obstacles. Think of them like a color palette for art. You can do a lot more with a few select objects than with a million.
Overall, celebrate with the player and build something that they will enjoy. You aren't their nemesis, you are their friend. Don't play softball with them, but challenge them with fun ideas and solid level design and you will get stars. Sure there will be kids who LOVE the insane possibilities, but that limits the game and the community as a whole. You don't want to discourage people, you want to encourage them and show them the possibilities.
Will be getting this at midnight (thank you 24 hour store, Meijer) and can't wait to see what everyone does. I will be posting a lot here!
Good advice brah!
-Welcome newcomers, everyone has to start somewhere I got good at level design from help from some of the best check out some great levels and see how it was done. Not my fortay but it can help someone oblivious to it all.
-Also thinking outside the box, using pieces as they are not intended will set you apart from the run of the mill obvious levels being made.
-Please playtest throughly before uploading a level, hopefully they let us revise if any problems should occur.
-if you map jack, your whack unless it's a homage or re-creation that's okay I guess. Leave original creations to their respective authors, everyone will know!
-System seller for sure, however not a priority with my funds at the moment I rather get the whole setup for cheap whenever. I still have access via my bro in law, I'll tell him to buy it he's got more money than me anyways. Lol
Great move by Nintendo for making this happen it's literally a dream come true for many.
