Level Design Podcast

In this episode, we talk about our own game, Harvest Hunt! We cover level design, art and the roguelite elements of the game. You can follow us on X/Twitter @levedesignfm The music for this episode is by the amazing James Elsey @jameselseymusic.bsky.social You can follow the rest of the team on Bluesky: Mark Drew: @markdrew.bsky.social Valentina Chrysostomou: @valentinachrys.bsky.social Uriel Cord...

In this episode we talk to Jack Chapman about getting into the Industry, mental health and what escape routes we can all have to make space for our mind.  Follow our antics on Twitter @leveldesignfm and let us know what you liked the most about the podcast! Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) and Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys). This has been a CMD:Studio  (@cmdstudiogames) produ...

Sable, the debut title from Shedworks is without a doubt one of the most stunning experiences among recent indie releases. We spoke to Shedworks' Creative Director Gregorios Kythreotis (@ShedworksGreg) to learn more about their development process. From inspirations and influences to flexibility and limitations, we tackle all aspects of creating an unforgettable experience for the player. There's...

From Thief mods to the award-winning work on Dishonored and Deathloop, we join Dana Nightingale (@DanaENight), the Campaign Director at Arkane Lyon, as she breaks down her career in level and campaign design. We delve deep into problems and solutions that developers face during the process and analyse various Deathloop, Dishonored, and other games' examples through the prism of Dana's experience....

Join us as we speak to Rob Dwiar (@RobDwiar) about such an integral part of many games as landscape design. With extensive experience in real-life landscape design and horticulture, Rob analyses different game environments highlighting some great (and not so great) practices of creating not just a beautiful landscape but one that looks natural and organic. Check out and support Rob's stunning book...

Join us as we walk down the memory lane of all things 2021 and share our plans and hopes for the New Year. Leave a comment with your take on what we should all be looking for in 2022. You can follow our antics over on Twitter and comment with your take on what we should all be looking for in 2022. Check out @leveldesignfm! Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew), Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92) and Rob...

In this episode, we have a chat with Oli Curtis (@fragleveldesign) on level design, HAMMER and Source and Postal as well as Black Mesa You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm! Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew), Valentina Chrysostomou (@valentinaChrys), Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is M...

In this episode we  invite Max Pears (@maxpears) back to finally talk about Cyberpunk 2077 and his new book! Let's Design: Exploration!  You can check out Max's book here:  Physical books - https://bit.ly/3tsgQtO Digital - https://bit.ly/39BakJD He also happens to be the host of the great Level Design Lobby Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/03OTDRAPsAiocSLCTEiXBn You can follow...

In this episode we have the great pleasure to talk to Gabby Llanillo (@gabs820) from Naughty Dog about all things QA and Dev Support at Naughty Dog.  You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm! Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio produc...

In this episode we sit down with Level Design guru and teacher at the The Game Assembly: Tommy Norberg! Join us as we dive into their work Brothers: A Tale of Two sons and Just Cause 2 as well as Level Design techniques! You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm! Works and Topics we covered in this episode!: Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons  Just Cause 2 Syndicate ...

In this episode we sit down with Dev advocate at Google Cloud Mark Mandel to talk multiplayer engines and more! You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm! Works and Topics we covered in this episode!: GDC - Online Game Tech Summit  Agones           https://agones.dev/site/ Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wils...

In this episode we sit down with Senior Lighting Artist at the Chinese Room Ellen Shelley to talk Man of Medan, Blood & Truth as well as more!  You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm! Works and Games we covered in this episode!: Man of Medan Blood & Truth  Shotdeck https://shotdeck.com/ Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash9...

In this episode we're back with Steve Gaynor once again this time to dive further into some of our all time favourite level design and more! You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm! Works and Games we covered in this episode!: PREY Apex Legends Bioshock 2 Hitman 3 Death Stranding Gone Home Evil Within Resident Evil 2 Remake Resident Evil  Resident Evil 7 Resident E...

In this episode we sit down with Co - Founder at Fullbright, Director and Writer Steve Gaynor to talk Gone Home, Tacoma, F.E.A.R and more! You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm! Works and Games we covered in this episode!: Tone Control Podcast  https://www.idlethumbs.net/tonecontrol GDC 2018 - Level Design Workshop: Designing for Non-Linear Story Discovery in Tac...

In this episode we sit down with Director at Ground Shatter Games James Parker to discuss their latest title Fights in Tight Spaces and more! You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm! Works and Games we covered in this episode!: Fights in Tight Spaces: https://www.fightsintightspaces.com/ Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chry...

In this episode we shine the spotlight this time on our very own co-host and Level Designer at The Chinese Room, Rob McLachlan to talk Silent Hill, Little Orpheus and more! You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm Works and Games we covered in this episode!: Little Orpheus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avGJU2hvVeA Silent Hill: Shattered Memories https://www.youtube.com...

In this episode we sit down with Level Designer Mette Andersen to discuss their work on the infamous IOI Hitman Series and get to know Agent 47 a little better! You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio p...

In this episode we sit down with Lead Level Designer Steve Lee to discuss their work on Bioshock Infinite, Dishonored 2, John Wick and more! You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm Works and Games we covered in this episode!: An Approach to Holistic Level Design  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpOoTAVeEcU Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omni...

In this episode we sit down to discuss our gaming and episode highlights during what was the strangest year we've ever experienced, what lies ahead for the Level Design Podcast team and more! You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm Works and Games we covered in this episode!: Works EGX Digital 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvOJMSW8I1E Thoughts Blog https://valent...

In this episode we sit down with the author behind An Architectural Approach to Level Design, Game Designer Chris Totten (@Totter87) to discuss their latest works, teaching level design and more! You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm Works and Games we covered in this episode!: Written works An Architectural Approach to Level Design https://www.amazon.co.uk/Architectu...

In this episode,  Mark Drew (CMD:Studio) , Valentina Chrysostomou (CMD:Studio) and Rob McLachlan (The Chinese Room) block out some time to chat with Naughty Dog's Game Designer Michael Barclay (@motleygrue), the man behind the #blocktober community! See more at @blocktoberld You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilso...

In this episode, Mark Drew (CMD:Studio) , Valentina Chrysostomou (CMD:Studio) and Rob McLachlan (The Chinese Room) put the spotlight onto one of our very own: Jonathon Wilson from Hangar 13! You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan...

In this episode, Mark Drew (CMD:Studio) , Valentina Chrysostomou (CMD:Studio) , Jonathon Wilson (Hangar 13) and Rob McLachlan (The Chinese Room) return with a sneaky second Halloween episode! We talk about the east vs west differences in horror games, 90’s films and games. Show Notes: Dread X Collection: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1296510/Dread_X_Collection/ Creating Horror through Level D...

In this episode, Mark Drew (CMD:Studio) , Valentina Chrysostomou (CMD:Studio) , Jonathon Wilson (Hangar 13) and Rob McLachlan (The Chinese Room) delve deep into all things scary in games! We discuss the first games that scared us and trends in remaking horror games.  You can follow our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omni...

In this episode we sit down with the creator of the AI and Games YouTube Documentary channel, Dr Tommy Thompson (https://twitter.com/get_tuda_choppa). We take a look at how AI plays a role in some of your favourite titles, discuss alien tails and more! Want to learn more about AI and Games? Take a look right here!: https://www.youtube.com/c/AIGamesSeries and https://www.aiandgames.com/ Some of the...