Episodes
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).
Published 02/21/23
Published 02/21/23
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...
Published 03/15/22
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:...
Published 02/15/22
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...
Published 02/01/22
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...
Published 01/18/22
In this episode we have a chat to 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) , 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
Published 07/20/21
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...
Published 07/06/21
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...
Published 06/22/21
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...
Published 06/09/21
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...
Published 04/30/21
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...
Published 04/26/21
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! 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).
Published 03/30/21
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! 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).
Published 03/16/21
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...
Published 03/02/21
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...
Published 02/16/21
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...
Published 02/02/21
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...
Published 01/19/21
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...
Published 01/05/21
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...
Published 12/08/20
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...
Published 11/24/20
In this episode, Mark Drew (CMD:Studio) , Valentina Chrysostomou (CMD:Studio) and Rob McLachlan (The Chinese Room) put the spotlight onto one of our very own: Jonathon Wilson from Hangar 13! 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...
Published 11/10/20
In this episode, Mark Drew (CMD:Studio) , Valentina Chrysostomou (CMD:Studio) , Jonathon Wilson (Hangar 13) and Rob McLachlan (The Chinese Room) return with a sneaky second Halloween episode! We talk about the east vs west differences in horror games, 90’s films and games. Show Notes: Dread X Collection: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1296510/Dread_X_Collection/ Creating Horror through Level Design https://jaredemitchell.com/articles/creating-horror-through-level-design/ You can...
Published 11/04/20
In this episode, Mark Drew (CMD:Studio) , Valentina Chrysostomou (CMD:Studio) , Jonathon Wilson (Hangar 13) and Rob McLachlan (The Chinese Room) delve deep into all things scary in games! We go over what was the first game that scared us and trends in remaking horror games.  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...
Published 10/27/20
In this episode we sit down with the creator of the AI and Games YouTube Documentary channel, Dr Tommy Thompson (https://twitter.com/get_tuda_choppa). We take a look at how AI plays a role in some of your favourite titles, discuss alien tails and more! Want to learn more about AI and Games? Take a look right here!: https://www.youtube.com/c/AIGamesSeries and https://www.aiandgames.com/ Some of the talks we chatted about on the episode: - Alen Ladavac - Taking CI and automated testing...
Published 10/07/20