Level

World Structure

The world structure of a game is how levels are connected and how the player can move between them.

Linear: In a linear structure the levels are always in the same order. You are at level 1 and then level 2 and level 3 and so on.

Branching: With a branching structure there might be more then one way to go in a level. You can find a secet that takes you directly from level 1 to 3 for example.

Hub: In a hub structure there is a level, the hub, that give access to many other levels. After visiting a level one can return to the hub and select a new level. One example is Zelda games where to overworld act as a hub and the dungeons as levels.

Open World: This structure gives the player the ability to move freely in the world and approach objectives as he wish.

Reference

• • GDC 2016: Modular Level Design of Fallout 4 - 2016 (Movie)

  • Composition in Level Design - 2014

  • The Iterative Level Design Process Used to Ship Fallout 3 and Skyrim - 2014

  • Keeping Your Players Engaged - Tips for Great Game Level Design - 2013

  • Skyrim's Modular Level Design - 2013

  • The Metrics of Space: Tactical Level Design - 2012

  • Beginning Level Design Part 2: Rules to Design By and Parting Advice - 1999

  • Beginning Level Design, Part 1 - 1999

• 360 Approach for Open World Mission Design in Far Cry and Assassin's Creed

• Dishonored 2 Devs Explain the Clockwork Mansion