Podcast
Level Design Lobby
Hosted by Max Pears · EN
The Level Design Lobby, breaks down game and level design techniques, showing how they are used within games, as well as how we can improve upon them. It also shares reading material to its audience, while providing interviews with industry professionals.
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/Maxpears
Website: http://www.maxpears.com/
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Global Play: The Craft of Game Translation
2w ago00:21:54Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to make your favourite game feel "just right" in another language? In this episode, Yana, a game localisation specialist, takes us behind the scenes of the gaming industry. We chat about her career path, the surprising challenges of translating games, and why localisation is about so much more than just words. If you've ever wondered how games travel across cultures, this one's for you. Join the Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ------------------ Contact Alconost Inc ----------------- Website: https://alconost.com/en ------------------ Level Design Kit ----------------- Buy Here: https://bit.ly/4gYaJ9d -------------- Level Design Books -------------- Let's Design Books --------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------- Contact Me ----------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com
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Bricks, Spells & Storytelling: Crafting Game Worlds with Raphael Kidd
Apr 800:46:18Tap to summarizeJoining me for this episode is Senior Level Designer Raphael Kidd, who has worked on an incredible range of titles including LEGO Horizon, Hogwarts Legacy, and LEGO DC Villains. Raph shares insights into his journey, along with his unique design approach across such a diverse set of projects. We'll also take a deep dive into his work on Hogwarts Legacy, exploring his creative influences and the perspective he brings to game design. ------- Contact Raph ------- Website: https://www.raphael-kidd.com/ LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/raphael-kidd-9b6b6630 ------------------ Level Design Kit ----------------- Buy Here: https://bit.ly/4gYaJ9d ------------- Let's Design Books --------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ---------------------- Contact Me ----------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com
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Building the Raid: Designing the World of Arc Raiders
Jan 2700:53:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I'm joined by Tim Spaninks, level designer on Arc Raiders, for a deep dive into his journey through the game industry and the craft of designing immersive worlds. We talk about how Tim broke into game development, the lessons he's learned along the way, and how creating content on his YouTube channel has shaped his approach to both learning and teaching game design. The heart of the conversation focuses on level design in Arc Raiders how levels are planned, iterated on, and balanced to support exploration, combat, and player choice. Tim shares his design mindset, practical workflows, and what it really takes to build spaces that feel fun, readable, and alive in a large-scale multiplayer experience. Whether you're an aspiring game developer, a level design nerd, or just excited about Arc Raiders, this episode offers a thoughtful behind-the-scenes look at how great game worlds come together. Sign Up to News Letter: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X -------- Contact Tim -------- Website: https://www.timspaninks.com/ X: https://x.com/TimLevelDesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timdoesleveldesign/ ------------------ Level Design Kit ----------------- Buy Here: https://bit.ly/4gYaJ9d ------------- Let's Design Books --------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS - ---------------------- Contact Me ----------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com
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Entering the Fog: Al Yang Talks Story, Fear, and the Making of Silent Hill F
Dec 901:09:58Tap to summarizeIn this exclusive interview, Creative Director Al Yang takes us deep into the unsettling world of Silent Hill F, offering a rare look into the creative vision behind the next chapter of the iconic horror franchise. Al discusses the narrative themes, artistic inspirations, and emotional core shaping the game's haunting atmosphere. He reveals how the team approached psychological horror in a fresh, culturally rich way, and what fans can expect from its setting, characters, and disturbing new creatures. From story philosophy to visual design and the challenges of reimagining Silent Hill for a new generation, this episode is a must-watch for horror fans, game developers, and anyone curious about the craft of building fear from the ground up. Sign Up to News Letter: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ----------------------- Contact Al Yang ---------------------- Twitter: https://x.com/QQBert BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/qqbert.bsky.social ------------------ Level Design Kit ----------------- Buy Here: https://bit.ly/4gYaJ9d -------------- Let's Design Books --------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------- Contact Me ----------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com Twitter: https://x.com/MaxPears Bluesky: https://bit.ly/42HX9Tt
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Designing for a new Frontier - Prashant Patil
Nov 1100:40:56Tap to summarizeFirst ep of Nov and we are kicking off with a great interview with Co-Founder/Art Director Prshant of 'Look North World'. Formed of incredible industry Vets who are taking their skills and designing for a new space for Fortnite's User Generated Content. join the Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ------------------ Contact Prashant Patil ----------------- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/prashant-patil-6028401b Website - https://looknorth.world/ ------------------ Level Design Kit ----------------- Buy Here: https://bit.ly/4gYaJ9d -------------- Level Design Books -------------- Let's Design Books --------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------- Contact Me ----------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com Twitter: https://x.com/MaxPears Bluesky: https://bit.ly/42HX9Tt
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Blocktober Starter Pack
Oct 1300:45:41Tap to summarizeHey All, Thank you for all reaching out and supporting the Level Design Kit. I have heard the cry for a better understanding of how to use these tools. I wanted to give a bit more of a deatiled break down so please enjoy. ------------------ Level Design Kit ----------------- Buy Here: https://bit.ly/4gYaJ9d Low Poly Shooter: https://fab.com/s/578036b16d6c Advanced Locomotion: https://fab.com/s/0eb8afffb774
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Level Design Lobby - Blocktober Plans
Oct 400:07:06Tap to summarizeHey All, We are blasting through Sept way quicker than I want haha, but I wanted to announce the plan of what I will be doing come October for Blocktober and hopefully I can hear what you are all thinking! join the Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ---------------------------- Let's Design Books ----------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------- Level Design Kit ----------------------- Purchase now: https://bit.ly/4gYaJ9d ----------------------- Contact Me ----------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com Twitter: https://x.com/MaxPears Bluesky: https://bit.ly/42HX9Tt
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Scripting in Games ft Vladimir Gaidenko
Sep 900:25:04Tap to summarizeA banger of an episode today as I am joined by the Associate Lead Scripter Vladimir Gaidenko. We break down his career and what his time is like balancing that of his leadership abilities while scripting the games he works on (We are talking level Scripting) join the Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ---------------------- Contact Vladimir ---------------------- Twitter: https://x.com/De_Von_Ver LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devonver/ ------------------------- Let's Design Books ----------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------- Level Design Kit ----------------------- Purchase now: https://bit.ly/4gYaJ9d ----------------------- Contact Me ----------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com Twitter: https://x.com/MaxPears Bluesky: https://bit.ly/42HX9Tt
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Level Design Lobby - Reading Materials #72
Sep 200:14:26Tap to summarizeWelcokme in the autumn, by welcoming in more great resources, as we talk about more tools & the wrap up from Gamescom. Take a look what you might enjoy and grow from. join the Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X ---------- Resources ---------- Silent Hill F: http://bit.ly/45IKGjr Mike Bithell Podcast: http://bit.ly/4g7w2pw BlackEye Camera: http://bit.ly/3JFpVwx Door Problem: https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/revisiting-the-door-problem-with-liz-england-game-developer-podcast-ep-53 Blood of the Dawn Walker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrqS0dN5Jis&ab_channel=IGN Lego Horizons: https://interactive.libsyn.com/how-two-studios-brought-lego-horizon-adventures-to-life ---------------------- Let's Design Books ----------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------- Level Design Kit ----------------------- Purchase now: https://bit.ly/4gYaJ9d ----------------------- Contact Me ----------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com Twitter: https://x.com/MaxPears Bluesky: https://bit.ly/42HX9Tt
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Creative Arcades : Re-desgining the Box
Jul 3000:31:17Tap to summarizeA slightly different episode as we are joined by Brian Horowitz the founder of Creative Arcade. We talk about how arcades have changes over the years and what innovations they have designed when creating thier projects. join the Mailing List: https://bit.ly/4eNPm8X --------------------------------- Creative Arcade -------------------------------- Website: http://bit.ly/45bQi46 ---------------------- Let's Design Books ----------------------- Ebook - https://bit.ly/39BakJD Physical Books - https://bit.ly/3mfOsbS ----------------------- Level Design Kit ----------------------- Purchase now: https://bit.ly/4gYaJ9d ----------------------- Contact Me ----------------------- Website: https://www.maxpears.com/ Email: leveldesignlobby@gmail.com Twitter: https://x.com/MaxPears Bluesky: https://bit.ly/42HX9Tt
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