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DropZone

OVERVIEW & INTENTION

DropZone is a first person Battle Royale game concept set inside of a post apocalyptic world where players are infected with a deadly virus. Only by retrieving the antidote airdrop within the final circle will save players.

As the Battle Royale genre is growing more popular, it is evident that some become more successful than others. That being said, I believe that how these levels are designed plays a major role in the success of the game. This project simply highlights key features that I feel contribute to a well designed Battle Royale level.

DESIGN OBJECTIVE

To implement memorable locations and allow players to identify their current position through the use of Landmarks
To aid players in guiding them to points of interest and when spotting enemies through using Verticality
To keep replay-ability value high as the level will be played numerous times through Varied Micro Environments
To design areas of the map so that it can accommodate for players with Different Play Styles

LANDMARKS

Whilst landmarks are a pivotal tool to help players locate themselves within the level, they also allow players to visually distinguish the difference between natural areas to traverse through, and points of interest to explore/loot.

The Church = Rural Town

The Windmill = Farm

Satellite Dish = Military Base

Roundabout Structure = Centre of Map

VERTICALITY

Reaching different heights within a Battle Royale can have a major influence on players decision making within each game. These different elevations aid with both Exploration choices and Tactical choices against enemies.

It is important to subtly aid the player when it comes to deciding which area to explore next. If visual options are not presented, players will become frustrated as they feel they are not making any progress on their journey

Exploration

After looting the shed, the military base is highlighted in the distance, encouraging exploration in that direction

Once making it over the hill, players are then presented with to 2 points of interests areas to explore. Further embedding the sense of exploration

Tactical

As the 1 life limit can be brutal, it is important to promote fairness by limiting the exploitation of major power positions. This is achieved simply by having different landscape elevations at certain zones of the map.

Players guards are at their lowest whilst exploring within nature areas. Here, by permitting different heights and including less surrounding visual noise we can aid players when it comes to spotting possible threats

Players guards are at their highest whilst looting within major landmarks. Here, by limiting verticality we promote a fair playing field as everyone will have the same line of sights and the same type of cover to use.

POINTS OF INTEREST

As Battle Royale levels will be played numerous times, it is vital that players do not become disinterested with the level by experiencing the same type of environment repeatedly.

Overview

Players create a relationship between the visual aesthetic of the location and the quality of loot

Locating small environments between landmark locations provides players with a sense of progression to their exploration

Choosing to implement varied structures over duplicated assets inside of an area allows for easy callouts to teammates when spotting enemies

ACCOMODATING PLAYSTYLES

Rural Town

Explorer player types will most likely veer towards looting the cabins or abandoned cars on the outskirts of the town, whilst killer player types look for instant combat engagements

Players can choose to enter the town either 'loudly' or 'quietly'. The loud approach offers quick access but at the expense of being spotted easier. Whilst the stealth option offers a safer entry, at the expense of a more time consuming approach.

Players can make use of long range combat at the over-seeing hills on the outskirts or taking hold of an upper floor window. Whilst short range combat will dominate the towns streets and interiors

As each game features a large number of players, the level must be adaptable to accommodate for different play-styles. Here is a breakdown of how the 'Rural Town' area has been designed to accommodate for this.

FINAL OVERVIEW