Project Outline

From Linear to Semi-Open World

The biggest challenge of Shadow Gambit compared to our previous titles was the transition from a very linear design to a very open location centric design. We had to reconsider our strategy for designing level layouts and missions.

Ultimately, we opted for a system where players can select a starting point and choose which crew member to bring for the mission. Consequently, we needed to account for all potential pathways a player might choose for any mission on the island without them having to backtrack and making their choice of path obsolete because of an imbalance.

This meant we had to give up a lot of control over where players come from and what toolset (characters) they bring with them. That’s why instead of levels that players only visit one time per playthrough, we built big locations where multiple missions take place in different areas.

Multiscene Development Approach

The shift in our approach, moving from traditional levels to specific locations accommodating various missions, necessitated an elevated development strategy. This adjustment was crucial, as it demanded increased flexibility for each level designer concurrently working on a shared location. In past projects, collaborative work within a Unity scene was a logistical challenge, often resulting in bottlenecks.

Desperados partially addressed this by dividing levels into geo and logic scenes. However, in Shadow Gambit, we aimed to amplify this concept, allowing multiple level designers to simultaneously contribute to the same locations, engaging in diverse tasks like area blocking, mission scripting, or enemy encounter design. We successfully achieved this by extending the location-splitting approach from Desperados to individual areas. While this new method granted us unprecedented creative freedom, it also mandated a heightened level of structure, organization, and communication. Great communication was key to our success in implementing this new approach.

Morrow’s Reach Island

Island Vision

“This is the most beautiful cliché Carribean Island Location. It gives players cozy vibes and shows the beauty of our setting. At it’s core there is an interesting, old fortification or structure that will then be used for the great finale of the game.”

I was, among other locations, responsible for Morrow’s Reach, which served as an introduction location. “Starting Island”, as we called it internally, underwent a lot of iterations not only because it was the first island players were supposed to learn the basics of the game but also because during the course of development our plot got changed quite a bit.

Prev

1of21

Next

The first tutorial mission

Designing this location posed a significant challenge, as it had to seamlessly accommodate our new non-linear, player-driven approach while simultaneously serving as a tutorial for newcomers. Striking a balance between offering an open-world experience and guiding players through the essential aspects of the game proved not to be simple.

Crafting a tutorial involves creating a structured path for players without risking monotony from constant handholding, all while introducing the overarching plot to pique their interest. Needless to say, the design of this location underwent extensive revisions.