KevTheDevGames

Inspiration & Other media:

Horror stories and other horror related media were crucial for nailing the cryptids in the woods feeling. But not just horror media, but stories from our real world were etremeley helpful! I am a big fan of the outdoors so I used my previous experience of trails to help guide my creative process when it came to exterior maps and my love for horror media to guide the interior process. .

Real-World Experience — helped ground the maps in believable layouts like trails, density, etc.

Mood boards — used to establish visual consistency, tone, and overall direction. Mostly just a ton of photos, videos, sounds, that I felt represented the tone I wanted to achieve.

Other media — Since this was a passion project, it was heavily inspired by things I grew up with like camp stories, Folklore, shows like X-files, Supernatural, and Scooby-doo were massive inspirations for this project! So channeling what I loved from those shows into the game was an important process for me.

Starting The Project

I begin every project by gathering visual and thematic inspiration. This project in particular was interesting in gathering references when every map could vary from a summer camp to a Eastern European snow covered village. So I treated each map as it’s own space and narrative, ensuring it still fits within the world of A Day Out.

When designing A Day Out, I knew the idea of capturing cryptids and other monsters would require a fair amount of planning to ensure they fit within the world, the combat, and the maps. Finding inspiration in other media such as games, movies, and even old folklore was crucial in nailing down the feel of the world as well. We wanted to make the monsters / cryptids follow their real-world lore if applicable while adjusting them enough to fit within the world.

Paper Mapping & Layout Planning

This stage allows me to fail fast and iterate cheaply before moving into more time-intensive production. At this point, I usually have a rough idea of planned mechanics and the core gameplay loop, which makes this stage much more effective. Usually drawn on paper or with minimal detail in Photoshop. This project was going to have multiple maps and stories which would require their own planning. Luckily my process was applicable to all maps in this game as well. My Process allows me to:

• Organizing ideas quickly
• Testing early layout concepts
• Testing early Encounters
• Understanding potential player flow
• Identifying POIs, hazards, and progression beats
• Testing Loot placement

This version acts as a blueprint for the level and directly informs the blockout phase. For this project alone I must have created over 40 paper maps! Some made the final cut others did not.

Paper Map v1

After validating the initial concept, I create a refined paper map to further test:

• Spatial relationships between areas
• POI placement and pacing
• Navigation clarity and overall flow
• Encounters
• Loot Placement

Clean Digital Map

Once the paper map feels solid, I convert it into a clean digital layout.

This step is crucial for collaboration, as it ensures:

• Clear communication between team members
• Easy readability and shared understanding
• A reliable reference throughout development

For this project it was more efficient to just draw up a paper map and upload it directly to my PC, which allowed me to make edits with my other team member. He was not going to be doing any level designing, but I still wanted to make sure the maps felt cohesive and met our quality before wasting any precious time in editor. This process was important for nailing down the flow early on. When you’re the solo level designer, it’s important not to get bogged down with perfecting a clean digital map.

Mechanics-Driven Design

Early on, I also pitched the idea of using the planet’s mushrooms as natural platforms.

This decision allowed us to

• Encounters
• Loot
• Reinforce the swampy, alien atmosphere of the environment

By integrating traversal mechanics directly into the environment, the level remains engaging to move through while reinforcing the world’s identity.

Encounters & Loot

After completing the initial blockout, I playtest the level and gather feedback from testers and team members. This step is crucial.

As the designer, I already know where triggers, encounters, and scripted moments are placed. Having fresh players experience the level allows me to understand whether spaces read clearly, feel engaging, or need further refinement before expanding on them.

Iteration is a core part of my workflow. As development progresses, many factors may change, including:

• Gameplay mechanics
• Art style
• Narrative needs
• Player abilities and movement

Because of this, I continuously refine the level to support the evolving needs of the game.

Level Scripting

The number of iterations depends on scope and timeline, but my goal is always to deliver the best possible experience within production constraints — without ever losing sight of fun.

• Gameplay mechanics
• Art style
• Narrative needs
• Player abilities and movement

Finalizing the Map

As the designer, I already know where triggers, encounters, and scripted moments are placed. Having fresh players experience the level allows me to understand whether spaces read clearly, feel engaging, or need further refinement before expanding on them.

• Gameplay mechanics
• Art style
• Narrative needs
• EXTENSIVE PLAYTESTING!

Audio Design

POIs and hidden Easter eggs played a key role in encouraging exploration, giving players meaningful reasons to venture off the main path and discover the world.

• More Rewarding Plants to discover
• Interesting things to discover
• Easter Eggs and other hidden
• More Lore to uncover

Toopy temp

Landmarks can take many forms. In this project, incorporating natural landmarks presented a unique challenge. To address this, I leaned into the environment itself, using terrain, composition, and visual contrast to guide player navigation.

• Largest Mushroom covered in glowing blue oxygen plants
• Specific Placement of props like the overhanging Forest

tempy temp

Once the layout has been refined through iteration, I move into finalization.

This includes:

• Cleaning up or replacing geometry
• Ensuring flow and readability are clear
• Confirming the level supports gameplay, story, and player expectations
• Replacing placeholder textures
• Finalizing lighting, art, and layout — this is when the cake is fully baked

Clear, well-documented layouts are especially important when working on a team. They allow for smoother handoff across disciplines and help avoid wasted time on issues that could have been identified earlier in development (e.g., “this area is kinda boring”).

Final Thoughts:
This was one of my favorite projects from university, largely because of how well the team worked together. Communication was strong, meetings were efficient, and the overall development process was genuinely enjoyable. Looking back now, I can see how much I’ve grown as a level designer. Some areas feel a bit empty, and I’d love to revisit them by adding more environmental detail—alien-like rocks, dense foliage, and atmospheric elements like bugs or swamp gas—to really push the swampy tone and sense of danger.

More Stuff From ADO

POIs and hidden Easter eggs played a key role in encouraging exploration, giving players meaningful reasons to venture off the main path and discover the world.

• More Rewarding Plants to discover
• Interesting things to discover
• Easter Eggs and other hidden
• More Lore to uncover

FOB – Home Base

Landmarks can take many forms. In this project, incorporating natural landmarks presented a unique challenge. To address this, I leaned into the environment itself, using terrain, composition, and visual contrast to guide player navigation.

• Largest Mushroom covered in glowing blue oxygen plants
• Specific Placement of props like the overhanging Forest

Once the layout has been refined through iteration, I move into finalization.

This includes:

• Cleaning up or replacing geometry
• Ensuring flow and readability are clear
• Confirming the level supports gameplay, story, and player expectations
• Replacing placeholder textures
• Finalizing lighting, art, and layout — this is when the cake is fully baked

Art & Outfits

Clear, well-documented layouts are especially important when working on a team. They allow for smoother handoff across disciplines and help avoid wasted time on issues that could have been identified earlier in development (e.g., “this area is kinda boring”).

Final Thoughts:
This was one of my favorite projects from university, largely because of how well the team worked together. Communication was strong, meetings were efficient, and the overall development process was genuinely enjoyable. Looking back now, I can see how much I’ve grown as a level designer. Some areas feel a bit empty, and I’d love to revisit them by adding more environmental detail—alien-like rocks, dense foliage, and atmospheric elements like bugs or swamp gas—to really push the swampy tone and sense of danger.

Gallery

Clear, well-documented layouts are especially important when working on a team. They allow for smoother handoff across disciplines and help avoid wasted time on issues that could have been identified earlier in development (e.g., “this area is kinda boring”).

Final Thoughts:
This was one of my favorite projects from university, largely because of how well the team worked together. Communication was strong, meetings were efficient, and the overall development process was genuinely enjoyable. Looking back now, I can see how much I’ve grown as a level designer. Some areas feel a bit empty, and I’d love to revisit them by adding more environmental detail—alien-like rocks, dense foliage, and atmospheric elements like bugs or swamp gas—to really push the swampy tone and sense of danger.