cranebump Posted January 18 Posted January 18 (edited) This thread is based on this comment from another discussion we've been having here in the hallowed halls of AE: On 1/17/2024 at 10:12 AM, huang3721 said: A good level design, however, transcends storytelling. Anyone can appreciate a good design. A challenging design, IMO, is even better. Now...while there is no way in the nine hells that, as a story teller, I'm going to agree that level design transcends storytelling, I WILL readily admit that creative level design can be its own piece of art, for sure. There's some stuff out there that can be appreciated for its design intricacy, creativity, and, - dare we say it? (yes...we dare) - pure aesthetics (which, indeed, may transcend being pigeonholed into the typical "story" category). That being the case, if you are an accomplished and artistic mechanical designer, or one for whom the presentational aspect is at the forefront; if you're one who experiments with the tools we have to produce unique creations, or for whom "story" might be better termed as "experience,"* this is your exhibition hall. Post your creative mechanical design entries here. Your experimental pieces. The times you were pushing the AE tools to their limits. Your strange edge cases that fit into the stereotypical AE "story" box." You might tell us a bit about what you were shooting for. Or we can just let the art, flow over us, man. Either way, throw yourself some bouquets. Let everyone know you've got something uniquely off the beaten path. * This isn't to say you aren't trying to tell a story, of course. But the idea is that your primarily using the tools to produce some interesting effects or challenges. Edited January 24 by cranebump 1 I have done a TON of AE work, both long form and single arc. Just search the AE mish list for my sig @cranebump. For more information on my stories, head to the AE forum sub-heading and look for “Crane’s World.” Support your AE authors! We ARE the new content.
Darmian Posted January 18 Posted January 18 I find that the story shapes level design. Then again "story" might be "Farm this area for smashing", so that gets nuanced. AE SFMA Arcs: The Meteors (Arc id 42079) | Dark Deeds in Galaxy City: Part One. (Arc id 26756) X | Dark Deeds in Galaxy City: Part Two. (Arc id 26952) | Dark Deeds in Galaxy City: Part Three. (Arc id 27233) Darker Deeds: Part One (Arc id 28374) | Darker Deeds: Part Two. (Arc id 28536) | Darker Deeds: Part Three. (Arc id 29252) | Darkest Before Dawn: Part One (Arc id 29891) | Darkest Before Dawn: Part Two (Arc id 30210) | Darkest Before Dawn: Part Three (Arc id 30560) | Bridge of Forever ( Arc id 36642) | The Cassini Division (Arc id 37104) X | The House of Gaunt Saints (Arc id 37489) X | The Spark of the Blind (Arc id 40403) | Damnatio Memoriae (Arc id 41140) X | The Eve of War (Arc id 41583) X | Spirals: Part One. (Arc id 55109) | Spirals: Part Two. (Arc id 55358) | Spirals: Part Three. (Arc id 57197) I Sing of Arms and the Man (Arc id 42617) | Three Sisters (Arc id 43013) (Pre War Praetorian Loyalist. Pre War Praetorian Resistance. Pre ITF Cimerora. Post ITF Cimerora. X = Dev Choice/Hall of Fame )
cranebump Posted January 18 Author Posted January 18 1 minute ago, Darmian said: I find that the story shapes level design. Then again "story" might be "Farm this area for smashing", so that gets nuanced. So do I. Though I have started the process with as little as a basic title, and then done some creature design before figuring out the story. In the case of this thread, I'm mainly thinking about some of the stuff like @Clave Dark 5 has done (particularly the one involving sound {the title, unfortunately, escapes me). I'd include @Peacock's Rumors of my Death are Entirely Accurate in there, as well, if only for the introductory mish that sets the stage for everything else. Mainly though, I wanted to pay some respect to @huang3721's comment about level design, which isn't something I've thought about much, but is worth more examination and appreciation. 1 I have done a TON of AE work, both long form and single arc. Just search the AE mish list for my sig @cranebump. For more information on my stories, head to the AE forum sub-heading and look for “Crane’s World.” Support your AE authors! We ARE the new content.
Clave Dark 5 Posted January 24 Posted January 24 (edited) Being name-checked, I have to list something in here, but I keep forgetting to! Rather than repost the whole deal, here's a link to the thread for it: Edited January 24 by Clave Dark 5 1 Tim "Black Scorpion" Sweeney: Matt (Posi) used to say that players would find the shortest path to the rewards even if it was a completely terrible play experience that would push them away from the game... ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ Clave's Sure-Fire Secrets to Enjoying City Of Heroes Ignore those farming chores, skip your market homework, play any power sets that you want, and ignore anyone who says otherwise. This game isn't hard work, it's easy! Go have fun! ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
cranebump Posted January 25 Author Posted January 25 That was exactly the one I was thinking of, @Clave Dark 5. It's really something unique. 1 I have done a TON of AE work, both long form and single arc. Just search the AE mish list for my sig @cranebump. For more information on my stories, head to the AE forum sub-heading and look for “Crane’s World.” Support your AE authors! We ARE the new content.
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