If people are into this video, I might do another one where I talk about the other 10 games on my list. In the meantime - what games (and things that aren't games) have inspired you?
As a kid, I had dreams about being Link, with Twilight princess, Link to the past and Ocarina of time being my favorites. Some other inspiring games were Jet Set radio Future, Kid Icarus, and Blinx The time sweeper. I’m attending college for a degree in Video Game art at Full Sail, though your channel and commentary is inspiring me to consider switching to Game Design. I’m only a year into schooling, so would you have any thoughts or words of advice? I designed a few different tabletop and card games as a kid, though I’ve always been better at drawing and writing. Anyways, thank you for all of the incredible videos you’ve produced so far. Your wisdom shines through.
I don't know if it's stupid, but I think Minecraft was the game, that got me into level design. I just loved building things in creative mode and making scripts with command blocks. (I've never beat the survival mode by the way). The other one is quake dilogy, especially the second one. Absolutely half-life (1998 version) and Rusty lake games. There also are recent games, that I'm sure will show themselves later in my work.
Excellent video Steve. So many resonant things you say about games like Sim City, interactive story books and the literary / imagination side fo that, and the magic of The Last Express. I do feel that Dishonored hit a divine balance of keeping the player "in the simulation" (keeping the interface itself simple and light) while still creating the rich choices and world tone I wanted.
Really loved how you mentioned Artistic Purity in the Silent Hill 2 bit. I think about 80% of the mediums best moments have been from whole games to tiny moments focusing on that one principal
Man, MGS 1 is an absolute banger - I just finished replaying it for the first time in probably over a decade. I was just talking to people in work about how many cool narrative moments they have the other day, you mentioned most of them! + when you can't fire the rocket at Snakes old mentor. It's all wicked and doesn't outstay it's welcome.
Haha yeah I actually talked about not being able to fire at Gray Fox when I recorded the video, but I explained it in too much detail and it didn't fit into the flow of the video, so I ended up leaving it out unfortunately. But yeah, stuff like that was ace
I found this to be informative, more than gushing, which was great - so a part 2 would be vey welcome (i’m late to the table, maybe you made it already). I have a soft spot for MGS, but my favourite stealth game is Tenchu :)
Flashback, Sim City, MGS 1, Resident Evil 1 & 2, FF7 and Deus Ex. More recently, it was death stranding, days gone and (re)discovering Max Payne 3. For the atmosphere, Silent Hill 2 and Far Cry 3 as well as Spec Ops the line are very special to me and the old Blade Runner
DUDE YOU DESIGNED THE DUST DISTRICT?? That's maybe my favourite level in DH2, such a fun and complex level with so many ways to approach it (and to resolve it non-lethally).
I did almost lose my mind trying to find the silvergraph studio key, before realizing it was tied to one of the solutions to the mission (don't want to spoil it).
Thank you so much for this video. It is so refreshing to see such a large repertoire and understanding how design can be radically different between games because they’re all their own thing, without taking sides about what a game should or shouldn’t be. I get a lot of mockery at work for being so much into MGS1 which has its flaws, but I’m still baffled at how modern and immersive it feels even nowadays. Also thank you for the references on the Orient Express game, as I’ve always wondered how a game can manage *inaction* instead of action-basically how to keep a story interesting even in the case of an antagonist and/or incompetent player. I never had a console for myself and had to parasite my friends to play stuff. I remember loving Ocarina of Time, MGS2 cereal box demo because my parents were antiwar, FF7, The Sims, then later on Death Stranding, Donut County, Journey, Outer Wilds, Inscryption, The Beginner’s Guide, Silent Hill 2. Now with some distance I can see that what catches me up in games is more of a tension between unexpected mechanics and personal rambling. This sort negative space is what SH2 and the MGS trilogy do super well. It is a space that is to me kind of close to reading in a way, were you have the freedom and intimacy to ramble in your thoughts but still have to make some cognitive effort to continue through the content. I came from contemporary art and landed into game making because I wanted to do immersive installations but the logistics were too crazy and I wanted people to be able to have a personal experience which isn’t really feasible in a museum. But games really can get there and also they’re more accessible as a cultural form than say Tate Modern. Really super appreciate how holistic your channel is. Gives a lot of ideas and a lot of actionable advice. Liked and subscribed!
Great to see the BBC computer that we had at school. My list would be...Unreal, Unreal tournament 99, Silkworm, Xenon 2, Way of the tiger ff books, Shinobi, Rolling Thunder, Ghost and goblins, Dark siders, Prey 2014, Titanfall 2, Rainbow Six Vegas, Far cry 4, Wipeout, World of Warcraft circa 2010-14 I ended up working on Killzone 2, Call of Duty Black ops, Heavenly sword etc
I hope Tom Francis next game is his version of a Metal Gear Solid. Peope are really tired of endless open worlds that they can never finish. It's so much more satisfying and rewarding to finish a smaller world over and over again by different means and discovering (more) secrets or finding a new way to reach the ending or beat a task. Especially when you find a way that doesn't feel like it's intended or that requires out of the box thinking. Metal Gear Solid was - and is - hugely popular and legendary. As is Half Life or Half Life 2. We really need those games with tight worlds and interesting stories again.
Thanks for the nostalgia. Love your list and explanations. MGS, and all Dishonored games definitely on my list. Going to enjoy playing through MGS1,2,3 sometime this next year. I'm going to indulge myself a bit much here. You were talking passionately how much half life 2 influenced you so much. An amazing game, and completely enjoyed you talking about it. DOOM 3 was a huge influence for me. Far cry Instincts, I would spend countless months building maps on my Xbox, always trying to feel them out, interesting to explore, placements telling a tale, keeping them balanced. Books inspire me a lot with my creativity in games, and or real life events that I deal with. I'm always thinking about how that feeling, moment can transfer through gameplay. There's, so much more I want to say... Thankyou for your time. Some games to mention, All huge influences in some form. No idea what my top 25 games would be, maybe ill make a list eventually. I love arcade games, list wont have any but one random to mention for the heck of it. Halo1,2,3,and reach Fable 1,2,3 Cradle Castlevania series Papa and yo Outer Wilds Hyper Light Drifter Cadillac's and dinosaurs Amnesia, Soma, (Just on merits of the writing alone) Last Guardian Red Dead Redemption, (revisited last year, great somber well structured story) Corpse of Discovery, (hit me hard)
Hey Steve! I've been reviewing some of your videos trying to find a book recommendation you put out there but I can't find it; it was an architecture book. Mind giving me the name, if you see this? Thanks so much!
I will give The Last Express a try. Interesting, I know Majoras mask has that to some extent. Given a small enough space - where replayability isn't so cumbersome it could lead to some fantastic and fresh experiences.
I'm not kidding when I say it's got some 90s quirks in its design, so it might take some patience these days - but the things that are good about it are uniquely good. Hope you enjoy it!
It goes beyond the scope of level design, but are you familiar with Froebel's gifts? I've rarely seen anyone involved with game design discuss the kinds of sources people use for children's education: those toys/tools seemingly inspired a generation of renowned architects.
If people are into this video, I might do another one where I talk about the other 10 games on my list. In the meantime - what games (and things that aren't games) have inspired you?
Cool to see "Speedball 2" & "Streets of Rage 2" in your list Steve. Real bangers!
As a kid, I had dreams about being Link, with Twilight princess, Link to the past and Ocarina of time being my favorites.
Some other inspiring games were Jet Set radio Future, Kid Icarus, and Blinx The time sweeper.
I’m attending college for a degree in Video Game art at Full Sail, though your channel and commentary is inspiring me to consider switching to Game Design.
I’m only a year into schooling, so would you have any thoughts or words of advice?
I designed a few different tabletop and card games as a kid, though I’ve always been better at drawing and writing.
Anyways, thank you for all of the incredible videos you’ve produced so far. Your wisdom shines through.
Yeppp
I don't know if it's stupid, but I think Minecraft was the game, that got me into level design. I just loved building things in creative mode and making scripts with command blocks. (I've never beat the survival mode by the way). The other one is quake dilogy, especially the second one. Absolutely half-life (1998 version) and Rusty lake games. There also are recent games, that I'm sure will show themselves later in my work.
Yes, please do another video like this! And. maybe not only about games, but books and movies and music albums too.
Excellent video Steve. So many resonant things you say about games like Sim City, interactive story books and the literary / imagination side fo that, and the magic of The Last Express.
I do feel that Dishonored hit a divine balance of keeping the player "in the simulation" (keeping the interface itself simple and light) while still creating the rich choices and world tone I wanted.
Oh man, now I desperately need to find my old Fighting Fantasy books! That old commercial still managed to make me excited to read one again haha
Haha, do eeet
Really loved how you mentioned Artistic Purity in the Silent Hill 2 bit. I think about 80% of the mediums best moments have been from whole games to tiny moments focusing on that one principal
This was great. Really thoughtfully presented nice as a digestible reflective piece with some fun nostalgia
Cheers, glad you enjoyed it :)
Man, MGS 1 is an absolute banger - I just finished replaying it for the first time in probably over a decade. I was just talking to people in work about how many cool narrative moments they have the other day, you mentioned most of them! + when you can't fire the rocket at Snakes old mentor. It's all wicked and doesn't outstay it's welcome.
Haha yeah I actually talked about not being able to fire at Gray Fox when I recorded the video, but I explained it in too much detail and it didn't fit into the flow of the video, so I ended up leaving it out unfortunately. But yeah, stuff like that was ace
Love these videos, keep me inspired to keep working on LD, keep up the great stuff man!
Great to hear, cheers :)
Great video Steve!
Cheers Nate 👍
This inspired me to think about what has inspired me. Great video!
Great to hear, cheers :)
I found this to be informative, more than gushing, which was great - so a part 2 would be vey welcome (i’m late to the table, maybe you made it already).
I have a soft spot for MGS, but my favourite stealth game is Tenchu :)
Flashback, Sim City, MGS 1, Resident Evil 1 & 2, FF7 and Deus Ex. More recently, it was death stranding, days gone and (re)discovering Max Payne 3. For the atmosphere, Silent Hill 2 and Far Cry 3 as well as Spec Ops the line are very special to me and the old Blade Runner
Yeah the Blade Runner adventure game is ace 👍
DUDE YOU DESIGNED THE DUST DISTRICT?? That's maybe my favourite level in DH2, such a fun and complex level with so many ways to approach it (and to resolve it non-lethally).
I did almost lose my mind trying to find the silvergraph studio key, before realizing it was tied to one of the solutions to the mission (don't want to spoil it).
Thank you so much for this video. It is so refreshing to see such a large repertoire and understanding how design can be radically different between games because they’re all their own thing, without taking sides about what a game should or shouldn’t be. I get a lot of mockery at work for being so much into MGS1 which has its flaws, but I’m still baffled at how modern and immersive it feels even nowadays.
Also thank you for the references on the Orient Express game, as I’ve always wondered how a game can manage *inaction* instead of action-basically how to keep a story interesting even in the case of an antagonist and/or incompetent player.
I never had a console for myself and had to parasite my friends to play stuff. I remember loving Ocarina of Time, MGS2 cereal box demo because my parents were antiwar, FF7, The Sims, then later on Death Stranding, Donut County, Journey, Outer Wilds, Inscryption, The Beginner’s Guide, Silent Hill 2.
Now with some distance I can see that what catches me up in games is more of a tension between unexpected mechanics and personal rambling. This sort negative space is what SH2 and the MGS trilogy do super well. It is a space that is to me kind of close to reading in a way, were you have the freedom and intimacy to ramble in your thoughts but still have to make some cognitive effort to continue through the content. I came from contemporary art and landed into game making because I wanted to do immersive installations but the logistics were too crazy and I wanted people to be able to have a personal experience which isn’t really feasible in a museum. But games really can get there and also they’re more accessible as a cultural form than say Tate Modern.
Really super appreciate how holistic your channel is. Gives a lot of ideas and a lot of actionable advice. Liked and subscribed!
Great to hear, cheers!
Very interesting video, thank you! It's always col to learn what influences your favorite artists and how they think and feel about it.
Great to see the BBC computer that we had at school. My list would be...Unreal, Unreal tournament 99, Silkworm, Xenon 2, Way of the tiger ff books, Shinobi, Rolling Thunder, Ghost and goblins, Dark siders, Prey 2014, Titanfall 2, Rainbow Six Vegas, Far cry 4, Wipeout, World of Warcraft circa 2010-14
I ended up working on Killzone 2, Call of Duty Black ops, Heavenly sword etc
Awesome video. Very insightful!
love your videos,especially things about game design and your opinion about games❤
I hope Tom Francis next game is his version of a Metal Gear Solid. Peope are really tired of endless open worlds that they can never finish. It's so much more satisfying and rewarding to finish a smaller world over and over again by different means and discovering (more) secrets or finding a new way to reach the ending or beat a task. Especially when you find a way that doesn't feel like it's intended or that requires out of the box thinking.
Metal Gear Solid was - and is - hugely popular and legendary. As is Half Life or Half Life 2. We really need those games with tight worlds and interesting stories again.
Thanks for the nostalgia. Love your list and explanations. MGS, and all Dishonored games definitely on my list. Going to enjoy playing through MGS1,2,3 sometime this next year. I'm going to indulge myself a bit much here. You were talking passionately how much half life 2 influenced you so much. An amazing game, and completely enjoyed you talking about it. DOOM 3 was a huge influence for me. Far cry Instincts, I would spend countless months building maps on my Xbox, always trying to feel them out, interesting to explore, placements telling a tale, keeping them balanced.
Books inspire me a lot with my creativity in games, and or real life events that I deal with. I'm always thinking about how that feeling, moment can transfer through gameplay. There's, so much more I want to say...
Thankyou for your time.
Some games to mention, All huge influences in some form. No idea what my top 25 games would be, maybe ill make a list eventually. I love arcade games, list wont have any but one random to mention for the heck of it.
Halo1,2,3,and reach
Fable 1,2,3
Cradle
Castlevania series
Papa and yo
Outer Wilds
Hyper Light Drifter
Cadillac's and dinosaurs
Amnesia, Soma, (Just on merits of the writing alone)
Last Guardian
Red Dead Redemption, (revisited last year, great somber well structured story)
Corpse of Discovery, (hit me hard)
Really insightful video, Steve! Thank you for sharing
Cheers Matty, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Hey Steve! I've been reviewing some of your videos trying to find a book recommendation you put out there but I can't find it; it was an architecture book. Mind giving me the name, if you see this? Thanks so much!
101 Things I Learned in Architecture school :)
AWESOME, much appreciated!! Keep up the great work on your channel, I've learned so much from you!
Great and interesting video!
Cheers!
ikaruga mention? such a classic
Yep!
SENSATIONAL 256 COLOR PALETTES AND 3D PERSPECTIVES
@@ItWasSaucerShaped :D
I will give The Last Express a try. Interesting, I know Majoras mask has that to some extent.
Given a small enough space - where replayability isn't so cumbersome it could lead to some fantastic and fresh experiences.
I'm not kidding when I say it's got some 90s quirks in its design, so it might take some patience these days - but the things that are good about it are uniquely good. Hope you enjoy it!
Thank for your videos, Uncle Steve!
Haha, you're welcome 👍
Wow at that train game. So original 😮
Ill definetly keep that doom recommendation in mind, I was actually playing around recently with that kind of 2.5Dish style of game
Niicee!! What do you think of the original Tomb Raider games? And Soul Reaver? Just curious. Love your videos and Dishonored 2 level. 😅
It goes beyond the scope of level design, but are you familiar with Froebel's gifts? I've rarely seen anyone involved with game design discuss the kinds of sources people use for children's education: those toys/tools seemingly inspired a generation of renowned architects.
Hadn't heard of these, interesting :)
no ICO?
Shadow of the Colossus is in there (in the other 10) - Ico is great, but I don't enjoy puzzles enough to love it
wipoeout3 ftw.
Yeah I've definitely got Wipeout stuff to geek out about if I cover the other 10 games in another video :)
I look forward to seeing that hopefully! :)