ANCIENT TEMPLE
ROLE: LEVEL DESIGNER
STATUS: LEVEL DESIGN STUDY
Ancient Temple is a first-person level design study exploring environmental navigation, spatial progression, and player guidance within a temple-themed environment. The project focused on shaping traversal flow and encounter readability through architectural composition, visual landmarks, and pacing-driven layout decisions.
DESIGN FOCUS
This level design study explored how spatial layout and environmental composition can guide player movement through an unfamiliar architectural space. The primary focus was on creating intuitive traversal routes while maintaining a sense of exploration and discovery.
Key design priorities included:
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Establishing clear critical paths supported by visual landmarks.
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Structuring interconnected spaces to encourage controlled exploration.
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Using environmental framing and lighting to influence player attention.
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Managing pacing through spatial compression and expansion.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As the level designer on this project, I was responsible for shaping the overall gameplay experience through layout and spatial decision-making.
My contributions included:
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Designing the full level layout and traversal flow.
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Implementing the playable space in Unreal Engine.
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Iterating on navigation clarity based on playtesting feedback.
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Refining encounter spaces to balance openness and direction.
LEVEL DESIGN APPROACH
The level was structured to gradually introduce players to the temple environment while increasing spatial complexity over time. Early areas were designed with more controlled pathways to establish navigation expectations, while later sections provided broader exploration opportunities.
Vertical layering and architectural framing were used to create visual interest and support player orientation. Landmarks such as large structural elements and lighting contrasts helped communicate progression goals without relying on explicit UI guidance.
The layout was also designed to encourage moment-to-moment decision-making, allowing players to choose between direct routes and exploratory detours that reinforced the environmental narrative.
DESIGN CHALLENGES
One of the primary challenges was maintaining readability within dense architectural spaces. Initial iterations resulted in players hesitating at key junctions due to insufficient visual guidance.
To address this, I adjusted spatial composition and introduced stronger landmark placement to reinforce navigation cues. Additional layout refinements helped improve pacing by ensuring that moments of tension were followed by areas that allowed players to re-orient and plan their next move.
Balancing exploration freedom with directed progression was another key challenge, requiring multiple playtest-driven adjustments to achieve a smoother traversal experience.
DESIGN ITERATION & KEY LEARNINGS
Through iterative testing and refinement, this project reinforced the importance of environmental communication in level design. Small adjustments to layout scale, sightlines, and landmark visibility significantly impacted player confidence and movement efficiency.
The process highlighted how spatial pacing influences player perception of difficulty and engagement. These insights continue to inform my approach to designing gameplay spaces that support both clarity and meaningful exploration.