Narrative Direction & Level Design
In my personal project, I developed a narrative and level design focused on a herbal witch workshop, with the goal of immersing players in a mysterious, dark, and magical ambiance. Starting with Unreal Engine 5, I constructed the initial layout of the workshop before moving to the Fortnite Editor to polish and incorporate final assets. Throughout the process, my emphasis was on designing obstacles, puzzles, and gameplay flow tailored for both PvP and PvE experiences.
Narrative Direction
Before creating this level, I curated a mood board of references that captured the mysterious, dark, and magical ambiance I envisioned. Given the scale of the space, I sought interior settings that offered both a natural environment and conducive gameplay movement. This exploration helped me identify suitable elements to convey the story of the herbal witch workshop I was crafting. I aimed to incorporate abundant flowers, bookcases housing puzzles, and visually captivating moments that contributed to the magical atmosphere I aimed to achieve.
Concept Design
Once I finalized the narrative and gathered references, I started on the paper design phase to visualize the desired appearance of the area, prioritizing game flow to ensure an enjoyable player experience. Employing 2D software, I crafted the architectural layout of the building, ensuring accuracy before adding organic touches by hand to soften the area's rigidity. Given the expansive space, I incorporated ample cover areas, sneaky pathways, and potential trap locations to enhance player engagement, whether in PvP or PvE scenarios.
Blockout Phase
Initially, I utilized large solid blocks for playtesting the area. During this phase, I had designed a basement intended to house a significant portion of the puzzles. However, I ultimately opted to remove the basement and distribute the puzzles across the ground and second floors instead. This decision stemmed from the observation that the other floors felt vacant during playtesting, which could be remedied by more efficiently dispersing the puzzles to maximize the player's engagement. Additionally, I utilized the block out level to revisit and sketch in any additional details not included in the concept phase, as well as to plan out the activities that would feature in the functional phase.
Switching from Unreal 5 to Fortnite Editor
After finishing the blockout phase, I transitioned the project to the Fortnite Editor for further development. Leveraging the same engine facilitated a seamless transfer, and I aimed to utilize the editor as a means to integrate this level into the Fortnite universe. By replacing the blockout with existing art assets, I enhanced the level's visual appeal and immersion. When incorporating cover elements and various puzzles, I carefully selected assets that complemented the narrative to maintain coherence. Lastly, I incorporated visual effects (VFX) to amplify the magical ambiance, adding an extra layer of immersion to the experience.
