While I'm working on new levels for Pingouin & Raptor: hidden object, let's review how I'm making those with the Hallway level as an example! 😀
Background
First of all I gather a lot of references, here's a sample:
I choose one, or plus, main reference that I use for the lay-out of the level. Here, I liked the corner and the big window, and the set-up of the chair with its footstool:
Then I create the perspective grid that will help me to design other elements and furniture.
I draw a quick rough of everything...
...before drawing a clear line art:
For colors, I also have different references which help to create the right atmosphere. In this case, I went with a marine theme, and I really liked the contrast of the orange elements with the main blue colors in some of the pictures.
Objects and Level Design
The background's ready! It's time to design objects:
That's probably the longer task of my process. I usually need one full day of work to rough every object. Ideas don't always come easily, I need to be inspired!
There are 30 to 40 different objects in a level, they need to be different enough that the player cannot confuse them with one another, and when possible, a bit tricky to find 😁. Also, to make the game color-blind user friendly, I cannot use colors in the description of an object.
Final version of the objects takes another couple of days, then I have to integrate everything in Unity, and send the texts to the translators. And then a new level is finally ready!
The whole process takes 6-7 days that I usually spread over two weeks or more if I have client work.
I aim to craft each level carefully without rushing, to make them all special and as polished as I can.
I hope players can feel the time, dedication and love that went into this game! 😊
