From eec8e583e15488e896082cb31cc6e179598dc35c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Marek Moeckel Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 20:03:31 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] added some guidelines for level designers SVN-Revision: 2543 --- docs/levelguidelines.txt | 25 +++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 25 insertions(+) create mode 100644 docs/levelguidelines.txt diff --git a/docs/levelguidelines.txt b/docs/levelguidelines.txt new file mode 100644 index 000000000..e7e6426bc --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/levelguidelines.txt @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +LEVEL DESIGN GUIDELINES + +These guidelines should be kept for any level that appears on the official world maps. +Designers contributing levels to the Contrib and Bonus sections are free of regulations - +that's what those sections are for. However, to maintain a certain level of playability, +official levels should be designed with these rules in mind: + +1. Don't mix tilesets! There shouldn't be any ice or castle tiles in a forest level, +unless there is an obvious reason (like transition into another area). +2. Clearly distinguish between the layers - players should be able to see immediately +where they can safely walk and what is foreground and background. Avoid placing bonus +items (coins, boxes) in the background. +3. Be careful not to create dead ends. Test your level thoroughly to find possible paths +you might have missed before. +4. Use everything the engine offers - but don't place it all in a single level! +5. Avoid large amounts of objects and badguys on the screen at once - your level might not +be playable on slower machines. +6. Don't make your levels too hard! Levels you built often appear a lot easier for +yourself, so be sure to let other people test them. +7. Don't make your level too short or too long - good size largely depends on the level's +overall design, so there's no general "good" value. In longer levels, make sure there are +enough reset points, so players won't have to repeat large portions of the level. +8. Secret areas should be well-hidden and not be visible on first sight. Use your +imagination to think of new ways to create secrets - some of the above rules can be +broken for that purpose, but be careful! -- 2.11.0