How do you approach level design for multiplayer and co-op games?

1 Balance and fairness

One of the main goals of level design for multiplayer and co-op games is to ensure that the players have a fair and balanced chance to succeed, regardless of their skill level, team composition, or game mode. This means that you need to avoid creating levels that favor one side over the other, or that have too many or too few resources, enemies, or objectives. You also need to provide feedback and guidance to the players, so that they know what to do, where to go, and how to win. For example, you can use visual cues, audio cues, or map markers to indicate the location of key items, enemies, or goals. You can also use dynamic elements, such as spawn points, checkpoints, or difficulty modifiers, to adjust the level according to the players' performance and preferences.

2 Variety and replayability

Another important goal of level design for multiplayer and co-op games is to provide variety and replayability to the players, so that they can enjoy different scenarios, strategies, and outcomes each time they play. This means that you need to create levels that have multiple paths, options, and secrets, as well as random or procedural elements, such as enemy placement, loot distribution, or environmental hazards. You also need to design levels that support different game modes, such as deathmatch, capture the flag, or horde mode, and that allow the players to customize their settings, such as time limit, score limit, or difficulty level. For example, you can use modular assets, branching routes, or hidden areas to create diverse and dynamic levels. You can also use triggers, switches, or events to activate or deactivate certain features, such as traps, doors, or power-ups.

4 Immersion and atmosphere

A fourth vital goal of level design for multiplayer and co-op games is to create immersion and atmosphere for the players, so that they can feel immersed in the game world, the story, and the characters. This means that you need to create levels that have a coherent and consistent theme, style, and tone, that match the genre and setting of the game, and that convey the mood and emotion of the game. You also need to use lighting, sound, and effects to enhance the realism and aesthetic of the level, as well as to create contrast and tension. For example, you can use textures, props, or decals to create a rich and detailed environment. You can also use shadows, music, or particles to create a dark and scary atmosphere.

5 Feedback and testing

A final crucial goal of level design for multiplayer and co-op games is to gather feedback and testing from the players, so that you can evaluate the quality and performance of your level design, and make improvements and adjustments accordingly. This means that you need to use tools and methods that allow you to collect and analyze data and feedback from the players, such as surveys, interviews, or analytics. You also need to test your level design with different groups of players, such as friends, colleagues, or beta testers, and with different platforms and devices, such as PC, console, or mobile. For example, you can use prototyping, playtesting, or debugging tools to test your level design for functionality, usability, and fun. You can also use feedback forms, forums, or social media to get feedback from the players for aesthetics, balance, and variety.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?