Here are projects I contributed to that were never completed/released to the public:

Project ‘Nightshade’

Overview:

  • Genre: Action RPG
  • Platform(s): PC, Playstation 4 and XBOX One
  • Role: Level Designer

At GoodGame Studios, I worked on an asymmetrical PvEvP Action-RPG using Unreal Engine 4. I built levels and co-designed the primary gameplay mode.

  • Procedural Dungeons & Verticality: The game’s initial concept was a PvEvP online game about players controlling demon hunters whose goal was to clear dungeons from corrupted creatures (AI mobs). The dungeons  could be invaded by hostile players controlling powerful demons. These dungeons were going to be modular and pieced together by an algorithm. A unique feature in comparison to similar isometric games was that the layouts were not only going to be connected horizontally but also stacked on top of each other and be connected via stairs or drop-downs and ladders. In combination with the procedural nature of the level layouts, this required special consideration in the design of the architecture of the modules.
  • Pivot to PvP: The initial scope of the project required a massive amount of content. On the aggressive schedule and at the quality level we were aiming for it put too big of a burden on the relatively small team. The game’s direction therefore shifted into a replayable, more condensed PvP experience that put the asymmetrical gameplay of 5 hunters versus 2 demons front and center. I played an active role in the design of the new game mode that shared similarites with Battlefield’s popular ‘Conquest’ mode. AI enemies that were part of the Demon faction still populated the maps but played a lesser role.
  • From procedural to fixed layouts: To make the game attractive to competitive players and make matches more comparable we put the procedural elements on the backburner and focused on fixed layouts. I whiteboxed and tested many map layouts. Here are a few screenshots that I salvaged:

When the company decided to re-align its projects to casual titles in the mobile & browser game space the project’s development was unfortunately cancelled before the public could put their hands on it.

Pirates of New Horizons

Overview:

  • Genre: 3D Platformer
  • Platform(s): PC, Playstation 3 and XBOX 360

I founded the indie games studio “Exit Strategy Entertainment” with 3 partners to create a 3D Platformer in Unity for PC, XBLA & PSN. Despite a well-received prototype that we had released online and a promising start on the development the game never made it to full release. You can still check out an overview video in which I showcase some of the gameplay:

My primary responsibilities were not design-related (in specific: business management, marketing & PR etc.), but I assisted the development by creating level prototypes, testing features and providing feedback. You can check out some key art and screenshots below.