KYLE UMBENHOWER
Lead Level Designer - World Builder - Scripter
Bloody Harvest
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Responsible for the paper design, first-pass layout for the whole map, and all the combat in the first half of the map.
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Responsible for all layout in the first half of the map.
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One of the maps responsible for the GamesCom Best Ongoing Game of 2020 award.
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The map was created in two months, so development time was tight. It was stressful, but we were able to overcome and deliver quality.
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Some players were upset that the map was short, but that was the direction we were given to allow players to quickly farm loot for the event.
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With every map I work on, I try to create a unique way for enemies to enter the combat space. One of my level design rules is to surprise players by kicking off combat in interesting ways. The adrenaline players feel from the initial surprise often carries throughout the fight when an encounter is properly paced. This map had a Halloween theme, so enemies would surprise players by crawling out of graves.
Part of the Bloody Harvest event takes place in other levels. Fast forward the video to 21:05 to see the map I worked on.