Whiteboard Step: Setting Design Goals for Siege The original vision of Siege was to create a game mode that offered shorter matches and less complexity than Conquest. As with the majority of my levels, I started my design process on my whiteboard and outlined features that were desired: matches should, on average, be 25-35 minutes have Read More
Tag: process
Evolution of SMITE Tutorial
The map design process at HiRez is pretty fluid and iterative, especially with Smite’s development. We’ve seen a lot of art and gameplay updates across the board, from UI to characters to the maps themselves. The game has morphed and evolved into the product played today, which means the tutorial requirements change as well. Evolution of the Read More
3- Terrains in Tribes:Ascend
This post was pretty spread-out, so I apologize in advance for ramblings. There was a comment on the old HiRez forums from a player that I loved so much, I made it my signature for years. While I don’t remember it exactly any more, it was something along the lines of: “The map is too Read More
2- Arena Under The Hill: Ports & Scrapping Layouts
If you’re reading this and the post-date is not Thursday, August 15th… woohoo! I’ve figured out how to set updates to publish later! (I am currently on vacation until the 26th, so responses and commentary approval will be slow). Warning: this is a long update, and not about a new CTF map. I may discuss why Read More
Global Agenda
I wore many map-making hats during Global Agenda’s development process. While I did get a chance to make a few original PvP maps- most notably Toxicity- much of my time was spent improving existing PvP and PvE maps: adding alternate ways to access points, adding more cover from enemy fire, making lighting adjustments and optimizations, Read More
Assault
The development of this map began when many of our streamers started making rules and hosting “All Random, All Mid” matches using Smite’s regular Conquest map. This player-driven mode had a few simple rules: players could only travel the center lane- no jungle or side lanes; once a player left the spawn area, then the Read More
Jungle Practice Map
This practice mode for SMITE allows player to try item builds and practice abilities- either solo or with a team- against the enemies found in the Conquest game mode. This includes a number of buff camps, practice minion waves, and enemy AI gods. Similar to how the Tutorial was developed, I used a radial plan Read More
CTF- Canyon Crusade Revival
Canyon Crusade Revival Responsibilities: –Make viable ports of the classic Tribes CTF map Canyon Crusade. Adapt the original layout and heightmap to suit Tribes Ascend’s physics and mechanics –Layout and blocking of flag stand, bases, and surrounding cover. Spawn placement, set dressing, fog adjustment, lighting, post process, bug fixes CCR Adaptation Process: Canyon Crusade was Read More
Team Death Match Maps
Responsibilities: –Level design and layout, blocking out initial play space, inventory station and spawn placement, set dressing, bug fixes. TDM Creation Process: Much like when I develop arena maps, I tend to already know what art set I’ll be using when creating a new Team Deathmatch Map for Tribes. Our TDM and Arena maps complement Read More
Arena Maps
Responsibilities: –Level design and layout, blocking out initial play space, inventory station and spawn placement, set dressing, bug fixes. –Make viable ports of classic Tribes arena maps, and adapt them to fit Ascend’s mechanics and style. Arena Creation Process: Frequently when I am developing arena maps, I already know what art set to use. Read More