Julius Sellgren

In addition to my role as a level designer, I also served as the technical game designer for this project. This dual role allowed me to bridge the gap between creative vision and technical implementation. I was responsible for:

• Scripting and Prototyping: Developing and refining gameplay mechanics through scripting and prototyping ensures that the design intent is translated seamlessly into interactive elements.
• Optimization: Collaborating with the development team to optimize game performance, ensuring smooth gameplay across various hardware configurations.
• Tool Development: During the internship, I not only created but also utilized custom tools to streamline the level design process. These tools significantly enhanced efficiency and allowed for rapid iteration, a testament to my productivity.
• Technical Documentation: The custom tools I developed I wrote and contextualized comprehensive documentation of design specifications, technical requirements, and iterative changes to facilitate clear communication among team members.

Initial Concept and Research: Our journey began with extensive research into various Afghan terrains to inform our design process. This foundational stage allowed us to envision a map that seamlessly blended natural landscapes with strategic gameplay elements.

Stage 1: The Foundation: We initially conceived a map dominated by mountainous terrain, encircling a central, dried-out lakebed. This area, rich in vegetation and featuring a fortified village, was designed as a vibrant contrast to the otherwise harsh landscape. Surrounding mountains housed smaller settlements, setting the stage for diverse gameplay dynamics.

Stage 2: Evolution of the Landscape: As the project progressed, we pivoted towards a design emphasizing expansive plains and mountain ranges. This shift allowed for a richer variety of vegetation, enabling players to engage in guerrilla warfare tactics. We strategically incorporated elevated positions for snipers, alongside three distinct bases—Hangar, Village, and Fort—each designed to foster unique combat scenarios. Hangar highlighted close-quarters and horizontal combat, Village offered open-space engagements with ample cover, and Fort focused on intense, vertical confrontations in a densely structured environment. Small houses scattered across the map served as refuges, ensuring players had ample cover and strategic points to navigate between bases.

Stage 3: Final Adjustments for Balanced Gameplay: Playtesting revealed a need for additional topographical features to balance the gameplay. We introduced hills and mountains to provide cover for attacking teams and to facilitate stealthy movements and flanking strategies. These adjustments ensured a fair and engaging experience for all players, emphasizing the strategic depth of our map.

Throughout this project, my role as a level designer allowed me to deeply engage with the iterative design process, from initial concept to final adjustments. My contributions not only shaped the map’s aesthetic and functional aspects but also enhanced gameplay through strategic environmental design. This experience underscored the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and a player-centric approach in game development.