11 Day Level Design Challenge: L4D2 Brooklyn Bridge

[AlexG]

I signed up for these boards while back, but haven't been active. I love the Interlopers community and I want to contribute.

So as a first post:

11-Day Challenge: L4D2-BrooklynBridge

I have done this once before back at the end of December of 2008. I gave myself a time-limit of 11 days and I completed a map in Unreal3Engine.

Now its beginning of 2010 and I want this year to be huge in level design and game environments.

Game: Left4Dead 2
Name: WIP-BrooklynBridge
Map type: Survival/Scavenge
Description: In order to stay alive, survivors must collect all the gas canisters to keep the generator working to heat the building.
Development: Jan.20, 2010 – Jan.31, 2010

Focus:

Custom snow textures
Snow Effects
Scavenge/Survival Modes

Plan: Complete a beta/playable map in L4D2. I have 11-Days to design a playable level.

Work Plan: I will update everyday.

DAY 1:
Idea, Research, Reference, Floor plan and Gameplay Elements.
Sketches, drawings.

DAY 2:
Geometry

DAY 3:
Geometry

DAY 4:
Geometry

DAY 5:
Texturing

DAY 6:
Texturing

DAY 7:
Lighting

DAY 8:
Lighting

DAY 9:
Lighting, FX, Sound, Optimization

Day 10:
FX, Sound, FX, Optimization and Final Touches

DAY 11:
FX, Sound and Final Touches

FINAL DAY 12:
Private Beta

I hope by doing this I can inspire others to get better, become better myself and share my workflow.

Wish me luck

[AlexG]

I am at Day 3. Just finished Day 3 actually. So I am a bit ahead as I am posting this.

I started Jan. 20, 2010

DAY 1: REFERENCE, LAYOUT - Jan.20, 2010

[AlexG]

Day 2: Geometry - Jan. 21, 2010

Blocking In. Vehicles are used for scale:




Brushwork on the Brooklyn Bridge:






Quick compile to check for scale and silhouettes:

[AlexG]

Day 3: Geometry - Jan. 22, 2010

I've only been sleeping for 6 hours since I've started this. This is what I worked on today.

Next is the final day of Geometry. Day 4.

Adding props and geometry detail. Adding Terrain Modification:


Created Dock Area:


Interiors:




Compiled Shots:

[Penney]

Could I lend a hand developing this with you tomorrow? send me a PM and I'll get it in the AM and get you back, if you will.

It does look really really promising, best start I've ever seen with a map

[Chopium]

This location is extremely clever and do-able. Congratulations on picking an epic idea. I'll be watching this...

[Megadude]

2 words - EDIT BUTTON. There's no need to post 4 times in a row in 5 minutes.

As for the map - looks alright.

[stoopdapoop]

this does seem like a good idea. And I'm glad you uploaded pictures from your reference hunt, we need more people in this community to do that.

I can really appreciate your workflow, and the fact that you appear to be sticking to it.

Welcome to the community, and I'm excited to see what you have done at the end of the 11 days.

penis.

[korge]

This is an awesome thing to watch! Good luck. This is more valuable to learn from than a Noesis video.

[jgoodroad]

shit, that much in TWO DAYS, DO YOU SLEEP!?!

[ErikKiller]

This is awesome. Thanks for the motivation

[AlexG]

Thank you for the feedback guys and for the welcome.

Penney: I'm down on collaborating on a map. For this one though, everything happens so quick I only have time to map and keep the process work coming in. We can talk more if you are interested after I am done with this map.

stoopdapoop: Thanks man. I am huge on using reference.

korge: funny you mention videos. I am recording some of the process video work as I map. I want to compile and speed up the video so I can share my workflow in motion. Hope all the videos work out like I plan.

jgoodroad: not much

[Cookiez]

This might help aswell

[AlexG]

Thanks for the reference Cookiez. Thats an old cool photo.

Day 4: Geometry - Jan. 23,2010

Last day for any major geometry work before moving on to 2 days of texturing.

Shot with no light_env.

Added more details. Cars, trees, lamps, other models ...

Created displacements.






Here I added light_env and modified a skybox. Now its more daytime. Gives me ideas of where I want to go with the lighting. Not focused on the lighting but throwing the light_env to see the env better.

Originally I wanted night time, but I think I may like the daytime quality of diffused overcast light.



Interior of the dock building:




Junk yard area:






Next 2 days are focused on texuring, overlays and perhaps beginning of a 3d skybox.

[Armageddon]

Looking great can't wait to see more!