Summary
Switchback is a fast-paced rollercoaster action-horror-shooter where every move you make, and everything you see, could mean the difference between life and death.
Come face to face with terrifying enemies from the Dark Pictures Anthology.
In this nightmare where each track has multiple terrifying path, choose wisely and try to stay alive.
For more info check the official website
Main Features
- 10 different levels divided into 5 themes
- PSVR2 features integrated in the gameplay like eye tracking, headset vibration, controller haptics, adaptative triggers...
- Over 10 different weapons, over 16 different enemies and 5 unique bosses
- Levels are a mixture of rollercoaster sections with horror moment, action pieces and puzzles
My role
- Level designer in Supermassive Games
- 1y 4 Months full time.
- Full ownership of 2 levels (The Devil In me Theme: Enjoy your Stay and Panopticon), but supported other designers in all the other levels.
- Promoted from Junior Level Designer to Level Designer during the project.
- Unreal Engine 4.
My responsibilities
I was lucky to join the project just before the Vertical slide, I was given ownership of a full theme which was divided into 2 levels.
My responsibilities included but were not limited to the following:
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Create 2 full levels from the pre-production to release quality
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During pre-production I research the theme, created the pacing, paper and whitebox maps. The game mainly focused on giving an arcade gameplay, as such the preproduction included placement of weapons, breakables, enemies, scripted events, cinematic sequences...
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Presented the level to the Art director and the Game director to gather feedback
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Managing scope of the levels during the entirety of the project
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Created the handover documents for VFX, Audio, Environmental artist, lighting and QA
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Worked with the System Designer of the project to create unique enemies and the final boss
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Created alongside the System Designer and the Technical Designer all the encounters in the levels
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Prototyped the new and unique mechanic for the puzzles in this theme, took this puzzle from paper design to full implementation in the levels
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Worked alongside the rest of the Level Designers and the Game Director to unify the experience
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Coordinated with the other departments to get the level to release quality
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Iteration on the balance of the encounters and puzzles according to the results of focus test and feedback
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Implement Dialogs and story sequences in the level
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Create horror moments from paper design to full implementation
My levels
The theme I was assigned was The Devil in Me, based on a slasher type of horror, based on the historical H. H. Holmes killer and his murder hotel. You can see both levels in the following videos:
Enjoy Your Stay
Panopticon
Gallery
Switchback VR
Check the Official website