Want to be Interviewed?

Riven · December 25, 2010

Hello all, I'm Riven, and I run the Half-Life based mapping community snarkpit.net. I don't hardly ever post here, but I do lurk from time to time (about once every other week). I usually browse the portfolios forum, and the "creative" category of forums. You guys get a lot of the dedicated mappers here, and it's nice to see some of the best of the community regularly stop in here to post their work. Not to mention, it's nice to read the comments by some of the professionals who frequent here. There are only three I can think of back at SnarkPit that made it professionally, but we don't normally see any posts by them with any regularity. Anyhow, we're looking for anyone interested who would like to submit an interview about level design. You don't have to be a member of The Snarkpit to participate, nor are you required to join ever. But all interviews will be published there under our articles section. If you're interested, please read below about the criteria, questions, and submittal contact. I hope to read some of your interviews!

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Are you a mapper or regular reviewer who'd like to be interviewed your opinions and experiences about level design?

about:

We want to interview various amateur/professional level designers a series of perspective questions (how do you start a map, etc...) on their process of level design. And what would be really interesting would be to see how each one of you answers differently. I was thinking of keeping it as text-based interviews.

We will compile all this info and release an article per each interview showcasing the responses.

Criteria:

[*:ijzohqve]You must have been mapping, level designing, or critiquing/reviewing others' maps for at least two years consecutively (within the past 10 years please)
[*:ijzohqve] You should have at least two and up to four images to show your works. Or links to those critiques/reviews or a portfolio page. That's it!

Amateurs and professionals alike are welcome. You do not need to be a member of The SnarkPit to participate, and nor do you have to sign up. I will be sending invitations along to other Half-Life and general mapping/level design community sites.

If you'd like your interview to be posted prior to January 5, please submit it before January 1st, that will give me enough time to format and post it. Other than that, I'll accept any other interview submittals throughout the next 3-4 months, and will work to get them posted as I get them...

Please see below the questions to find out how to submit your responses!

The Questions:

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A list of required questions. If you wish to participate, please answer all of these 4 questions at the minimum, and then proceed to answer some of the others listed below these four.

[*:ijzohqve]Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got involved with level design?
[*:ijzohqve] How long have you been mapping or doing level design work and/or critiquing others' maps?
[*:ijzohqve] What games and game types do you map for?
[*:ijzohqve] If level design is currently a hobby for you, What do you plan to do, or continue doing with your experience and skills in the near future (in the next 5 years?)

Here are the rest of the questions. You will be able to submit answers to 10 of them ONLY (any 10). -Choose wisely!

[*:ijzohqve] Where do you look for inspiration or whom do you look to for ideas and in what medium (books, movies, portfolios, etc.)?
[*:ijzohqve] What is your current level design method work flow? How do you start a level and then bring it to completion (maybe a list)?
[*:ijzohqve] What is the most important step or aspect in designing a level for you?
[*:ijzohqve] Are there any special techniques you use in designing your levels?
[*:ijzohqve] What percentage ratio of work would you say you do outside the level design program of choice versus within it to complete your map?(60/40, 20/80, 32/68, etc...)
[*:ijzohqve] What do you do to get your name out there for others to play your maps?
[*:ijzohqve] What three pieces of advice would you have for an aspiring level designer?
[*:ijzohqve] Are there any special programs you use when designing and building a level?
[*:ijzohqve] What other hobbies or careers do you work/study in and do you think they compliment your level design knowledge and or skills?
[*:ijzohqve] What should a beginning level designer focus on the most in attempting to develop their skills?
[*:ijzohqve] What's the most valuable lesson you've learned about level design?
[*:ijzohqve] How important is optimization to you in designing a level, and how much of your time would you say you commit to it out of the entire level design process?
[*:ijzohqve] What are some of your "level design philosophies?"
[*:ijzohqve] Is there a particular level or custom map from any game that stands out as an excellent example of craftsmanship? Why?
[*:ijzohqve] What other skills do you think are imperative for a modern level designer?
[*:ijzohqve] What kind of system do you run? (computer specifications).
[*:ijzohqve] Where are you from and where do you currently work?

Please submit all chosen questions and answers in some sort of organized outline format in an e-mail to: admin@snarkpit.net

Please include

[*:ijzohqve]your real name and/or your common screen name.
[*:ijzohqve]preferred contact method to be publicly posted along with your interview (not required).
[*:ijzohqve]Two to four images of your works with subtitles in the e-mail; please no larger than 1000x1000 pixels, and/or two to four links to your critiques/reviews.
[*:ijzohqve]A listing of a few projects or critiques/reviews (2-6) you will be talking about that could possibly be found on the internet somewhere. (Just the names and/or titles).
[*:ijzohqve]If you are already or plan to be a SnarkPit member (it's free and we're self supported; no spam or ads), please include your SnarkPit screen name. It will be linked with the article to your profile page.
[*:ijzohqve]If you currently work for an actual games studio, please list.

Also of note, I am willing to conduct audio interviews as well. I will use Skype, (maybe Ventrillo), but I definitely recommend Skype. I still require you to fill out the written interview because that will get posted any way, but the addition of an audio interview will be also quite beneficial and listed first in the article. If you are willing, we can find a time. Please simply make a note of it in your response e-mail and I will get back to you about a good time for the both of us to conduct it.

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Feel free to comment here, or if you'd like to see the original thread that sparked the idea on The SnarkPit, that can be found here. And I would love if some of you guys decided to pass the word along; like I said, it's open to anyone matching the criteria.

What do you guys think?

2d-chris · December 25, 2010

Oh I used to visit snark pit back in the day, sure I can find some time to contribute :santahurg:

insta · December 25, 2010

Why that would be neat!

Minos · December 25, 2010

Just sent you an email with my answers

Always great to help such a rad community as Snarkpit!!

Riven · December 26, 2010

Alrighty, I look forward to checking it out as soon as I get back to my desktop! If I have time and everything checks out, I may be able to format it and have it posted by tomorrow. It will show up in our spotlight list on the front page. I'll post back here when it goes live. It'll help give anyone else interested a good idea about how it's going to be presented. Thanks for contributing!

2d-chris · December 27, 2010

Just sent, hope it helps someone

Warby · December 31, 2010

dropped you some answers !

Orpheus · February 21, 2011

As with most of our younger mappers still in school times are slow but they do advance. These things are still going on. Take a moment to read through the already submitted interviews and send in one of your own. They will all eventually be posted.

Read them. If for no other reasons than to compare similarities and differences in the ideals that bring us ALL to the same end location. LEVEL DESIGNERS!

/2cents