Explaining level design to a non-gamer?

cornontheCoD

L420: High Member
Mar 25, 2008
437
70
Whenever I am mapping, etc, people always ask me what I am doing . It seems difficult to me to convey what mapping is to a non-gamer. How would/do you do it? I would say that I create the level, but the average non-gamer is going to think that that includes the models, textures, and everything else they see. Also, it is difficult to convey that mapping is a long, skillful process. If you say, "oh, I create the layout by laying down the walls", that sounds far too simplistic and easy.

I am asking because I am doing a project that invloves mapping and explaining it to non-gamers.
 

Mar

Banned
Feb 12, 2009
607
63
Wait, so you don't like people thinking that you are skillful?

But the same thing happened to me. I was skecthing my map on paper, and this guy took it away, and looked at it and said, what is this. I said I make maps for video games. Then he was like,

"You should get like a programmer, and makes some games and stuff. You make the maps, and he does the AI and online lobbies (xbox guy talking here) and you can make a cool indie game and get stuff for it."
 

What Is Schwa

L6: Sharp Member
Jan 13, 2008
375
445
My girlfriend still cannot understand that I am not "playing" when I am mapping. While I certainly enjoy cracking open hammer, it isn't play.
 

HojoTheGreat

L5: Dapper Member
Nov 11, 2008
206
34
First off you need to accept that some people just don't get this kind of stuff. On occasion you'll receive the typical "That's so nerdy" comment.

In my experience however the majority of responses I've gotten have been positive, and in fact encouraging! I always begin by making sure the person knows what a multiplayer game is (which most do these days), and from there it's easy, just explain that you're making your own level to play online. Most people think it's actually pretty cool, though I've yet to have a female ask me, so perhaps the responses are a little biased :p. Good luck trying to pick up chicks with your mapping skillz! :lol:
 

MrAlBobo

L13: Stunning Member
Feb 20, 2008
1,059
219
Good luck trying to pick up chicks with your mapping skillz! :lol:

undeniably epic if you manage this ;)

the odd people ive told tend to be kinda impressed, though i doubt it helps that I never finished anything :rolleyes:
 

cornontheCoD

L420: High Member
Mar 25, 2008
437
70
Wait, so you don't like people thinking that you are skillful?

no, I want them to know that it takes skill and dedication to map, it is not easy.

And it is even harder to explain TF2's art style to a non-gamer. considering most people wouldn't even think games have an art style
 

MrAlBobo

L13: Stunning Member
Feb 20, 2008
1,059
219
you want to explain how difficult it is?
there are 2 main methods, have them sit at your computer and try it
or start discussing the entity system, nothing freaks out computer illiterates more then good old logic
 

Ida

deer
aa
Jan 6, 2008
2,289
1,372
My father has, by chance, seen me map in Hammer, and it was pretty hard to explain to him what it was. He seemed to immediately understand that I was making something, the way I moved things around and changed the size of things.

I explained to him that I was making a "game world" for a game where many people play together at once. I explained that I made most of it out of blocks, and that I put in "props" to make it look nice, and I also made objectives for the players. He seemed to think I was actually creating a game, so I had to tell him that I create the world - what happens is decided by the game developer and the players (which isn't accurate, but it's not like he knows the difference).
 

Sgt Frag

L14: Epic Member
May 20, 2008
1,443
710
First off you need to accept that some people just don't get this kind of stuff.

Yeah, that basically boils it down. At best gamers will understand but even then...

I work in a sign shop, so I do artwork and non-artwork stuff. Mainly vector art.
When I applied I had a portofolio CD with alot of my game artwork. The response was 'well we don't do that stuff here'. Yeah, no doubt but the point was I can use computers and a variety of programs to do art related stuff. Still that was almost foriegn.

Of the few people who did understand what I do most are gamers. One of my friends got mad at me when I 'ruined' Tomb Raider 3 for him by pointing out the squre tiles on the ground as a way to measure jump distances :) lol

But lately I've just left it as an internet thing. People who play/map are interested, anyone else thinks it's crazy. Of course they all like things like model railroads, or driving their big pickem up truck, ... but those things aren't a crazy waste of time :rolleyes:
 

Sel

Banned
Feb 18, 2009
1,239
2,570
Non gamers are not going to have any means to grasp the concept of levels, or level design. They just do not have the knowledge required to understand the concept.

They lack comprehension of gameplay which is arguably the most important part of level design.

The other most important aspect of level design is the art. This is something most people will have a concept of so if you are intent on explaining level design to a non gamer this would probably be the best place to start your explanation from.
 

Ceiling Man

L3: Member
Jan 27, 2009
129
17
Well, one of my friends isn't that much of a gamer (Just plays a few games), so when I was working in Hammer and he asked me what I was doing, I just said plain and simple "Making a level for a game I play".
 

Sel

Banned
Feb 18, 2009
1,239
2,570
Well, one of my friends isn't that much of a gamer (Just plays a few games), so when I was working in Hammer and he asked me what I was doing, I just said plain and simple "Making a level for a game I play".

That's not explaining level design.
 

Ida

deer
aa
Jan 6, 2008
2,289
1,372
Well, one of my friends isn't that much of a gamer (Just plays a few games), so when I was working in Hammer and he asked me what I was doing, I just said plain and simple "Making a level for a game I play".

That's exactly what I do when someone walks by me on a LAN party, when I'm bored and I start to map (and pretty much everyone asks).
 

cornontheCoD

L420: High Member
Mar 25, 2008
437
70
Man, this is going to be tough to explain to people then. Especially considering I'm probably the only mapper in my entire school
 

YM

LVL100 YM
aa
Dec 5, 2007
7,135
6,056
Show them pictures of what you've done. I've found thats the best way to explain it.
 

ratclaw

L2: Junior Member
Feb 2, 2009
70
13
Man, this is going to be tough to explain to people then. Especially considering I'm probably the only mapper in my entire school

I take it a step further and find I'm the only pc gamer in my town.

When people ask what I'm doing, their eyes glaze over before I even start to explain what mapping is.
 

ClydeJr

L1: Registered
Oct 30, 2008
20
4
Most people understand TV shows and have a little knowledge on how they are made. I see mapping as being similar to the set designer for a show. You are creating the place where the actors perform. You control the size of the acting area, set the props, and prepare the lighting.