Level Design Podcast

The Level Design podcast is your view into the world of game development through the lens of Level Design! Every two weeks we come at you with a great interview or discussion about games, the process of making games or game development adjacent topics.

LD048 - Getting into the Games Industry, Lego and Man of Medan with Jack Chapman (PlayStation London Studio)

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) production. Our editor is Vyt Vaisvilaite and our theme tune is by James Elsey (@JamesElseyMusic).

02-21
01:17:05

LD047 | The World of Sable with Gregorios Kythreotis (Shedworks)

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 a lot to unpack no matter whether you are a veteran developer or just getting ready to release your first title. Get ready for GDC 2022 and don't miss Greg's talk on the Art of Sable: https://schedule.gdconf.com/session/the-art-of-sable-imperfection-limitation-and-worldbuilding-through-visual-design/884839 Follow our antics on Twitter @leveldesignfm and let us know what you liked the most about Sable! Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) and Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys). This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever (@matthewlever), our producer is Anna Tumurova (@ATumurova), and our theme tune is by James Elsey (@JamesElseyMusic).

03-15
01:10:34

LD046 | Level and Campaign Design with Dana Nightingale (Arkane Lyon)

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. Get ready for GDC 2022 and don't miss Dana's talk on User Experience: https://schedule.gdconf.com/session/ux-summit-deathloops-user-research-and-user-experience-death-loop/884834  Follow our antics on Twitter @leveldesignfm! Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew), Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever (@matthewlever), our producer is Anna Tumurova (@ATumurova), and our theme tune is by James Elsey (@JamesElseyMusic).

02-15
01:00:04

LD045 | Landscape and Garden Exploration in Game Design with Rob Dwiar

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 project Genius Loci on Unbound! Do you have a game that particularly catches your attention with its setting? Let us know on Twitter @leveldesignfm! Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew), Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), and Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys). This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever (@matthewlever), our producer is Anna Tumurova (@ATumurova), and our theme tune is by James Elsey (@JamesElseyMusic).

02-01
50:48

LD044 - 2021 Retrospective

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 McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan). This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever (@matthewlever), our producer is Anna Tumurova (@ATumurova), and our theme tune is by James Elsey (@JamesElseyMusic).

01-18
53:32

LD043 - Oli Curtis Level Designer on Postal and Operation Black Mesa

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 Matthew Lever @matthewlever and our theme tune is by James Elsey @JamesElseyMusic

07-20
59:50

LD042 - Max Pears from CD Projekt Red talks Cyberpunk 2077 and Let's Design: Exploration

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 our antics over on Twitter. Check out @leveldesignfm! Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. 

07-06
52:18

LD041 - Gabby Llanillo from Naughty Dog

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 production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

06-22
54:13

LD040 - Level Design with Tommy Norberg

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  https://twitter.com/the_Norberg https://www.tommynorberg.com/ Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

06-09
59:28

LD039 - Taking the agony out of multiplayer games with Mark Mandel and Agones

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 Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

04-30
58:56

LD038 - Ellen Shelley from The Chinese Room

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 (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

04-26
01:05:01

LD037 - Deep dive - Steve Gaynor

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 Evil Village Outlast Condemned The Last of Us 2 Control Ghost of Tsushima  WatchDogs Legion  Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

03-30
01:36:16

LD036 - Gone Home, Tacoma and more with Steve Gaynor

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 Tacoma  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwiF5OWdBBY Bioshock 2 DLC - Minerva's Den  Gone Home Open Roads Tacoma F.E.A.R - First Encounter Assault Recon Daxter  Metal Gear Acid 2 Death Stranding  Return of the Obra Dinn Firewatch  Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

03-16
01:08:55

LD035 - Fights in Tight Spaces with James Parker

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 Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

03-02
47:02

LD034 - Rob McLachlan from The Chinese Room

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/watch?v=42FF9ismMWY Silent Hill Origins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8kJgT3fldk Ghost Rider https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjTzdlAnfiU Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

02-16
53:46

LD033 - Hitman, Agent 47 and more with Mette Andersen

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 production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

02-02
56:25

LD032 - Let's talk Bioshock Infinite, Dishonored 2 and more with Steve Lee!

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 (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

01-19
01:21:19

LD031 - 2020 Retrospective

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://valentinachrys.wixsite.com/thoughts Games  The Night Fisherman https://farfewgiants.itch.io/night-fisherman The Solitaire Conspiracy https://store.steampowered.com/app/1424980/The_Solitaire_Conspiracy/ The Pathless https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/games/the-pathless/ Spiritfarer https://thunderlotusgames.com/spiritfarer/ Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

01-05
01:12:32

LD030 - Let's talk Level Design and Architecture with Chris Totten

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/Architectural-Approach-Level-Design/dp/1466585412 Level Design: Processes and Experiences https://www.amazon.co.uk/Level-Design-Experiences-Christopher-Totten/dp/1498745059 Recommended works Pattern Language for Game Design - Christopher Barney https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Language-Game-Design Latest Projects La Mancha https://www.pfbstudios.com/games/la-mancha/ Little Nemo and the Nightmare Fiends https://www.pfbstudios.com/games/little-nemo/ Presented by Mark Drew (@markdrew) , Jonathon Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. This episode was produced by Ash Rose (@Fake_Anime_Geek).

12-08
49:28

LD029 - Naughty Dog's Michael Barclay talks Blocktober

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 Wilson (@omnislash92), Valentina Chrysostomou (@ValentinaChrys) and Rob McLachlan (@RMMcLachlan) This has been a CMD:Studio production. Our editor is Matthew Lever @matthewlever. 

11-24
50:00

Hosein Mohamady

He talks fast 😄

09-06 Reply

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