Layout Design & Discovery

Layout Design & DiscoveryMay 17, 2024

Consider the layout of your environment carefully. Ensure that your experience provides clear pathways and signage to assist players in navigating through various experiences. Whether a player begins in a central hub space, follows a clear path to their next quest, or simply wants to spectate a game, clarity in layout enhances the overall player experience and engagement.

Sneak peek platform: In Room Spaces, players like to get a sneak peek of what's coming up. Successful Rec Room creators often show a top-down view of the environment for players to check out before they jump in. Instead of just having a closed room with a play button, opening it up for players to see can get them excited to join in. Plus, players enjoy watching others having fun from the hub platforms.

Spectate area: While players often join games with friends, sometimes friends prefer to spectate. This keeps them connected and part of the fun without needing to participate actively. Consider adding a point system or social games for spectators to enjoy while watching. This enhances the overall experience for both players and spectators, making it enjoyable for everyone.

Verticality: Add vertical elements to different levels of terrain or planes; this makes it more fun for players! Instead of keeping everything flat, add ramps, stairs, and paths that go up and down. Also, add openings to different levels so players can see new paths from different angles. This makes the game or event more exciting and keeps it from getting boring. Instead of creating a large experience, make it smaller with verticality, keeping players together but offering new and fun places to explore.

Player navigation: Consider adding markers that help players orient themselves and find their way within the environment. Effective player navigation design ensures that players can explore the experience seamlessly and intuitively, without getting lost or frustrated. Consider adding beacons, highlights, lights, or creating directional cues in the artistic style of the environment to help guide the way without explicitly doing so.

Objective Markers: Consider incorporating objective markers to guide players to various locations and landmarks.

Large versus small environment: Players love experiencing different types of spaces and themed experiences. When you create an environment where a player feels small, they can explore, role-play, and compete in an environment that distorts and intrigues their imagination. It's great to create experiences with different themes that challenge the player's perspective. Experiment with the listed bullet points above and incorporate verticality, spectating, and sneak peeks into the level design to make it feel extra interesting, instead of keeping the environment flat.

Sound design: Sound design serves the purpose of directing attention to specific areas within a room, offering feedback sounds when picking up weapons, selecting UI elements, transitioning into zones, introducing characters, and overall a great ambiance.

Lighting: Can be exciting, helping to craft spooky, thrilling, and exhilarating experiences. It keeps players guessing about what will happen next and can dynamically alter the mood or atmosphere in your experiences, adding an emotional layer to the narrative. It contributes to creating a lively and vibrant environment.

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