How I Designed Cyberpunk 2077 Levels

Introduction to Cyberpunk 2077 Level Design

Overview of the Talk

• The speaker, Max Payers, introduces the topic of level design in Cyberpunk 2077 and requests attendees to silence their phones.

• Attendees are encouraged to rate the talk positively, with a humorous note about aiming for five stars.

Speaker Background

• Max Payers identifies himself as the principal level designer with extensive experience across various game studios over a decade.

• He mentions his role as a host on "Level Design Lobby" and his work on level design books.

Key Themes in Level Design Process

Team Collaboration

• Emphasis on teamwork among different disciplines to create an engaging experience in Cyberpunk 2077.

• Discussion includes working with brands and learning from mistakes made during development.

Focus Mission: Chipping In

• The mission "Chipping In" is highlighted as a key example, unlocked after completing major story branches.

• Completing this quest allows players to earn Johnny Silverhand's powerful pistol and potentially his Porsche.

Narrative and Environment Integration

Mission Context

• The quest revolves around Johnny Silverhand seeking vengeance while addressing past wrongdoings.

Team Dynamics in Development

• Max discusses his role in blocking out spaces for gameplay while collaborating closely with narrative designers like Pavel Sasco and Ola.

• Timmer, the environment artist, transforms initial blockouts into visually appealing designs that match thematic elements.

Role of Level Designers

Responsibilities Explained

• Level designers focus on creating architectural spaces that facilitate gameplay while ensuring player guidance through objectives.

Gameplay Flow Management

• They manage player tension and pacing through scripting techniques, enhancing overall game flow.

Evolution of Level Design at CD Projekt Red

Transitioning Processes

• Max reflects on joining CD Projekt Red during the transition from traditional methods used in Witcher development to more integrated level design practices.

Challenges in Level Design for Cyberpunk

Initial Challenges Faced by the Team

• The first challenge was ensuring that the team did not feel they were encroaching on each other's roles while emphasizing the importance of level design within the Cyberpunk IP.

• The second challenge involved balancing priorities among various missions and elements in the open world, including main missions, side missions, and promotional material.

• A significant issue was geographical distance between team members located in Krakow and Warsaw, which is comparable to the distance between London and Newcastle. This posed communication challenges.

Adapting to Remote Work Dynamics

• The onset of COVID-19 complicated collaboration efforts; however, the team adapted by focusing on establishing a clear pipeline for development processes.

• Level designers (LDs) were tasked with blocking out spaces and considering different play styles while maintaining control over AI scripting and puzzle integration. Environment artists built foundational layers for levels before enhancements were made.

Enhancing Communication Among Teams

• To facilitate better communication across disciplines, a point of contact was assigned for each team to ensure no one felt left out during development discussions. Clear communication lines are crucial in game development projects.

• Kickoff meetings were recommended to foster camaraderie among team members, helping them understand their roles and responsibilities better rather than just knowing names or titles. This builds stronger working relationships.

Documentation and Meeting Strategies

• It’s essential for all teammates to contribute to level design documents (LVD), making everyone feel valued and allowing quicker iterations on ideas without extensive rework on blockouts.

• Scheduled online meetings became vital as face-to-face interactions diminished; these meetings allowed teams to prepare questions ahead of time, enhancing productivity during discussions.

Collaboration Across Disciplines

• Online messaging emerged as a quick communication tool but had drawbacks; important decisions could be lost if not communicated effectively across teams—emphasizing the need for thorough relay of information post-discussions.

Teamwork and Communication in Game Development

The Role of QA in Team Dynamics

• Emphasizes the importance of QA as unsung heroes in the industry, highlighting the need for appreciation and clear boundaries to enhance their involvement.

Building Trust Among Team Members

• Discusses how trust is fundamental for teamwork, making collaboration more enjoyable and fostering a better understanding among team members.

Importance of Communication

• Stresses that effective communication is crucial, especially for leads (LD), to keep everyone updated and engaged, avoiding conflicts over individual contributions.

Egos and Collective Goals

• Highlights the necessity of setting aside egos to focus on creating the best game possible rather than prioritizing personal portfolios.

Understanding Diverse Communication Styles

• Acknowledges that different companies have varied communication styles; emphasizes empathy towards teammates who may seem distant due to their own pressures.

Designing Gameplay Mechanics in Cyberpunk

Player Choices and Stealth Mechanics

• Introduces gameplay mechanics where players can choose between stealth or aggressive approaches, allowing for diverse playstyles.

Creating Immersive Environments

• Describes efforts to make players feel like they are trespassing into restricted areas by drawing inspiration from games like Metal Gear Ground Zeroes.

Transition Points in Level Design

• Focuses on designing transition points within levels to create a sense of claustrophobia before revealing significant objectives.

Safe Zones and Strategy Considerations

• Discusses creating safe areas with cover for players while emphasizing strategic thinking regarding stealth gameplay elements such as hiding bodies.

Core Design Pillars: Freedom and Narrative

Game Design Insights: Play Styles and Mission Development

Diverse Play Styles in Game Mechanics

• The game features various play styles, including a solo style where players use their physical abilities as weapons, allowing for athletic maneuvers like double jumps and heavy gate openings.

• The Netrunner play style emphasizes mental prowess, enabling players to hack security systems and disable enemies through technological means.

• Players can choose not to upgrade their skills, ensuring accessibility for different gameplay preferences, whether through combat or stealth approaches.

• The design team considered multiple methods for structuring skill trees but ultimately decided on a funnel level design that allows player choice while maintaining key narrative elements.

• CD Projekt Red prioritizes storytelling; thus, the mission structure was designed to ensure players do not miss critical narrative moments.

Mission Development Process

• In 2019, the speaker joined the project with an understanding of the mission's objectives despite initial challenges due to staffing changes and tight deadlines.

• The mission involves a boss battle against Adam Smasher in a dry docks setting, allowing for both day and night gameplay experiences.

• Johnny Silverhand plays a significant role during this mission by temporarily taking over V's body, enhancing narrative depth during encounters with enemies like Maelstrom.

Understanding the Setting

• The mission is set in Watson; the speaker had to research its unique characteristics since it was outside their assigned district.

• Knowledge of local governance and community dynamics informed realistic world-building within Watson’s environment.

• Art direction emphasized entropism over affluence in Watson's design, reflecting necessity-driven architecture rather than stylistic choices.

Exploring Enemy Dynamics

• Familiarity with the Maelstrom gang was crucial; they are depicted as financially struggling yet technologically enhanced individuals who repurpose spaces for their operations.

• Research included studying tabletop RPG lore and playing through demo missions to understand gang behavior and motivations better.

Characterization of Key Figures

• Adam Smasher is highlighted as an iconic villain whose portrayal in media adds depth to his character within the game context.

Insights on Urban Living and Game Development

Urban Adaptations in Shanghai

• The cost of living crisis in Shanghai has led many residents to creatively repurpose old shipping containers into homes, showcasing resilience amidst economic challenges.

• This innovative housing solution inspired the idea of integrating pre-existing elements into game design, enhancing realism and relatability within the game's world.

Game Design Evolution

• Research findings prompted a shift in mission design, maintaining the objective of finding Adam Smasher while changing the setting to nighttime for added atmosphere.

• The narrative evolved from a simple loading bay to a more meaningful space that tells stories about the Maelstrom gang's lifestyle and drug operations.

Companion Dynamics in Gameplay

• Introduction of an AI companion named Rogue, who is designed to be both powerful and relatable, enhancing player engagement through her established character arc.

• Rogue's gameplay mechanics were crafted to ensure she feels as formidable as players expect, with close-range combat abilities and potential romantic interactions influencing player choices.

Mission Objectives and Player Experience

• The mission's focus shifted from defeating Adam Smasher to locating him, creating tension through unexpected plot twists that keep players engaged without feeling unrewarded.

• Players are rewarded with iconic items like Johnny’s gun even when they do not defeat key enemies directly, ensuring satisfaction regardless of outcomes.

Level Design Challenges

• Transitioning into a new role required careful consideration of existing designs; clarity on objectives allowed for significant redesign efforts aligned with new gameplay goals.

Game Design Insights: Spatial Composition and Player Choices

Designing Enemy Interactions and Player Options

• The design emphasizes player choices by showcasing enemy movements through the space, hinting at various strategies available to players, including distractions using tech abilities.

• A key design rule was established: each enemy should have four different devices available for interaction, ensuring diverse options regardless of the player's approach.

• Different routes are highlighted for players, allowing them to choose paths based on their preferred play style—whether stealthy or aggressive.

Creating Dynamic Environments

• Players are encouraged to rethink their strategies with multiple decision points throughout the game, enhancing engagement and adaptability in gameplay.

• The layout is designed for clarity in transitions between areas, helping players create a mental map while navigating through safe zones and more dangerous environments.

Utilizing Spatial Composition Effectively

• The use of height variations (even slight changes like 20 cm) contributes to spatial awareness and enhances player experience as they navigate through different sections.

• Repurposed containers serve both functional and aesthetic purposes within the environment, clearly indicating which areas can be explored versus those that cannot.

Memorable Gameplay Elements

• Architectural styles are integrated into gameplay elements; specific designs guide player movement towards objectives while creating memorable spaces within the game world.

• Combat scenarios change dynamically based on player actions (stealth vs. aggression), affecting enemy spawn locations and overall gameplay flow.

Character Development and Narrative Integration

• Characters like Rogue demonstrate capability within combat scenarios, reinforcing narrative depth while maintaining player agency during encounters.

• Unique challenges arise when designing character spaces (e.g., Adam Smasher's hideout), prompting creative solutions regarding character needs (like sleeping or showering).

Iteration in Game Design Process

• Emphasizing research is crucial; understanding core design principles ensures that mechanics align with game themes for a cohesive experience.

• Iteration is vital in level design; many changes occur throughout development to refine gameplay experiences effectively.

Collaborating with Brands

Level Design Insights from Cyberpunk

Challenges in Level Design

• The design team faced significant challenges fitting a large container for the Porsche, highlighting unexpected difficulties during the development process.

• Iteration was crucial; train tracks were relocated to enhance player experience and create tension through gradual reveals.

• The decision to change the train track's position aimed to allow players to exit with an iconic vehicle, enhancing their sense of empowerment in the game world.

Communication and Team Dynamics

• Effective communication is essential within large teams; miscommunication can lead to misunderstandings about project goals and expectations.

• Color coding containers helped identify loot and enemy placements, but poor lighting conditions at night affected visibility, emphasizing the need for clear communication among team members.

Vision and Consistency in Design

• A unified vision among level designers is critical; without it, interpretations of mechanics can vary widely, leading to inconsistencies in gameplay experiences.

• The lack of distinct routes for player decisions diminished memorable moments, indicating that clear pathways are vital for impactful gameplay.

Collaboration and Review Processes

• Working asynchronously hindered collaboration; regular joint sessions could improve mission development by aligning priorities across disciplines.

• Delegating tasks effectively empowers team members and fosters trust within the group, which is essential for successful project completion.

Audience Engagement and Q&A Session

• The speaker invites questions from the audience while sharing personal resources on level design education, including books and podcasts.

• An audience member asks about balancing detail in level design; responses highlight varying approaches based on team preferences and project requirements.

Understanding Level Design and Pacing in Game Development

The Importance of Clarity in Vision

• The speaker emphasizes the value of providing detailed direction to the team, which helps clarify the vision for a project. However, this can limit creative freedom during concept art phases.

• The discussion highlights that different companies may have varying approaches to how they communicate design intentions and expectations.

Controlling Game Pace through Level Design

• Fred Drabble from Cathedral Studios asks about managing pacing in level design, indicating its significance in gameplay experience.

• The speaker explains their use of a "pacing graph" to categorize game mechanics (traversal, combat, puzzles) and assign intensity values ranging from zero to eight based on gameplay scenarios.

• They stress the importance of avoiding linear pacing; instead, they aim for varied intensity levels throughout the game to maintain player engagement.

Adapting Level Design Based on Narrative Changes

• Finn from Muriel questions how changes in narrative affect level design, specifically regarding a planned boss fight that was altered.

• The original plan involved a boss fight within a specific area but had to be modified due to outsourcing constraints. This led to rethinking how players would interact with the environment.

• The focus shifted towards enhancing narrative delivery by allowing players more exploration opportunities within the redesigned space.

Conclusion and Audience Engagement

• The speaker reflects on observing player interactions with the game, noting diverse play styles that reveal deeper narrative elements.