Build game worlds people actually want to explore Master level design through real projects
Most game levels get abandoned within minutes. Players can't find their way, get frustrated, or just lose interest. We teach you how to design 3D environments that guide without holding hands, challenge without annoying, and keep players engaged from start to finish.
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What You'll Actually Learn
Real techniques used in shipped games, not theoretical concepts you'll never apply
Spatial Flow Design
How to make players move through your levels naturally. You'll study why some corridors feel cramped while others with the same dimensions feel open. We break down sight lines, rhythm changes, and the psychology behind player movement patterns.
Environmental Storytelling
Tell stories without cutscenes or dialogue trees. Learn to place objects, lighting, and environmental details that communicate backstory and mood. Players should understand what happened in a space just by observing it.
Difficulty Balancing
Create challenges that push players without pushing them away. We cover proper difficulty curves, telegraphing danger, fair versus frustrating obstacles, and how to accommodate different skill levels in the same level design.
Your Learning Path
Eight months from fundamentals to portfolio-ready work. Our next cohort begins September 2025.
Foundation Phase (Months 1-2)
Start with spatial design principles and 3D tool basics. You'll build simple playable spaces and learn what makes players comfortable or confused in a virtual environment. By the end, you'll understand why good level design is invisible.
Applied Projects (Months 3-5)
Design three complete game levels: a tutorial space, a combat arena, and an exploration environment. Each project tackles different design challenges. You'll get detailed feedback from industry professionals on what works and what doesn't.
Specialization (Months 6-7)
Choose your focus area: multiplayer map design, narrative environments, or puzzle-based levels. Work on an advanced project that demonstrates deep understanding of your chosen specialty. This becomes your portfolio centerpiece.
Portfolio Polish (Month 8)
Refine your best work and learn to present it effectively. We cover portfolio structure, demo videos, and how to talk about your design decisions. You'll leave with work you're genuinely proud to show.
How We're Different
Most courses throw you into game engines without teaching you to think like a designer first. We focus on the why before the how. Every tool we teach exists to solve a specific design problem.
You'll work with Unreal Engine 5 and Unity, but the principles you learn apply to any platform. Good level design transfers across engines, genres, and even decades of game development.
- Small groups of 12 students maximum per instructor
- Weekly one-on-one design reviews with experienced developers
- Access to professional asset libraries and testing tools
- Guest sessions with level designers from shipped titles
From Past Students
What they found useful, in their own words
"The feedback sessions changed everything for me. I'd spend hours on a level thinking it was perfect, then realize players got lost in the first room. Learning to test and iterate based on real player behavior was the most valuable part."
"I came in thinking I'd learn which buttons to press in Unreal. Instead I learned how players think, move, and make decisions. That understanding matters way more than any specific software skill. The tools change every year anyway."
Ready to Start?
Our autumn 2025 program opens for enrollment in June. We accept 36 students split across three time slots to keep class sizes small. Applications reviewed on rolling basis.
Schedule varies by cohort, but most students spend 15-20 hours weekly on coursework. You'll need a computer that can run Unreal Engine 5 at minimum specs. We provide all software licenses and assets.
Questions about whether this fits your background or schedule? Reach out and we'll give you an honest assessment.
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