Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Essay: A Study of Spaces in Yooka-Laylee


I've written a small essay analyzing the spaces and level design of Yooka-Laylee.  I have anticipated this game since it's Kickstarter announcement, and felt that this is a good opportunity to practice writing about some concepts of design that I have been studying about lately.  I'm looking to grow in my wiritng ability, so as usual, feedback is encouraged.

Below is an excerpt from the opening paragraphs:

"Yooka-Laylee, and other games that fall under the Free-Range Platforming genre, appeal to gamers who like to explore, discover, and interact within an interesting 3D space.  While the game mechanics are important to the impression the player has over their experience, creating a space that places the player in a state of flow is just as important, if not more-so.  Everything down to the tactile interaction the player has with the objects placed around them assists in creating a memorable and enjoyable experience.  It is in the expansion of these virtual spaces that we often see a change between generations of gaming, as an increase in memory and processing power allows for bigger and more interactive worlds to explore.  To create a world that in non-linear, but also naturally guides and encourages the player to take specific actions is a challenge indeed, and I hope to get a firm grasp on how 3D level design should be done for my own work in the future."