Introduction and Intentions

I'm a soon-to-be graduating student from Centre NAD (December 2013), specializing in Narrative Level Design.

Narrative has always held an importance in any form of art and culture. We often forget that everything has a story to share. Everything has a past, a present and a future. Every piece, every path, every space must have a reason for its existence, its raison d'être.

Through my experiences in gaming and creating, I have realised that, levels are one of the most important characters in a game. Levels are heroes and villains, allies and enemies. They can aid you through your journey, or try to block your progression. They force you to think, plan and react. They allow you to feel safe or to always be guarded, filled with this uneasy tension. In some cases, the very environment the protagonist finds himself in, can shape him into who he is to become.

Whether it is a place we call home, the lair where the antagonist lies in wait, or any of the small paths in between, every space has its story. Every path has been walked upon, every building has been built by someone and for a reason.

That is my direction, when it comes to appreciating and creating levels. Allowing the space to tell its story, no matter how small or how epic, but each area deserves its voice.