Level designing tips

[DragonsLover]

Well... Sometimes I think to an idea for a level then I make it. Sometimes I really don't know what kind of level I'll create, so I put random pieces on the map then I try to make it hard.

[namida]

Think to an idea? Don't you mean, think OF an idea? lol

[DragonsLover]

You know that I'm not perfect in English. But thanks to correct me.

[Ice_Eagle91]

Another tip: When making repeat levels, check everything (introductions, hints) before releasing the packs. I saw in Steaver's L+ in Insane 1-3 that they have the same introductions as Funny 11/Funny 16/Strange 5. There are lots more levels that have this, but I'm too lazy to list them!  

[Ice_Eagle91]

Oh, I forgot to say this: I voted for "Make an easy level and do a "harder" version" because it's fun, and I like the idea of repeat levels.

[Anatol]

I don't really like repeat levels. Especially We All Fall Down! Those levels are SO annoying!

[Ice_Eagle91]

Well, all repeat levels I like except the ones I hate

[Anatol]

So you either love or hate...No wishy-washiness with you!

[namida]

I like most of the repeat levels. Some exceptions are "King Of The Castle" and "Stepping Stones(Sega Master System)". (The SMS level called Stepping Stones is actually a harder version of Tricky 12. The SMS Mayhem 21 is identical to the PC Taxing 21. The SMS Taxing 21 is an original level)

[piainp2]

Repeats, I love 'em, even the 'We all fall down' repeats. This explains why a few of my levels are repeated not once, but twice

[Shvegait]

Hey, first time poster. I wish I could say long time lurker but I just recently discovered this forum &#A0;

My friend recently got me back into Lemmings with the discovery of a DOS emulator. I played through all the levels even though I had thought it was impossible when I was 8 years old

Even then I drew ideas for Lemmings levels, but it was just a childhood dream. It's hard to believe that it is now a reality 10 years later. Too bad I don't have those old papers anymore &#A0;:-( &#A0;Haha, yeah right, I bet they were all either impossible or too easy...

So far I've been using LemEdit and CustLemm, haven't tried Cheapo yet but I imagine I will soon since LemEdit isn't working on this computer (it won't recognize my laptop's mouse or touchpad, even under the DOS emulator). But I went home from college over Thanksgiving break and worked for hours on levels, since we've got an old 166 MHz comp with Windows 98 on it. I won't be able to sit down and make the levels for about 3 weeks, but I'll be drafting for sure.

Sorry for the long introduction. In my so far short level making career (only 8 completed levels, but over 5 days that's not too bad), it seems like I've already tried the different ways of making levels. I'd say half the levels I had ideas for before I sat down to make them, and the others happened on the spot. They're all short, but I would like to get a full and better pack out over winter break. I find that having an idea before sitting down turns out a lot better than the other way, which sometimes seems almost too forced and unnatural, but still can have quite good and challenging results of course. The best things happen by accident. I guess what I should say is that when you have an idea beforehand, maybe the level isn't necessarily better, but the work is much less indeed. Of course half the challenge/fun is trying to beat your own levels, when you don't even know the solution yourself!

So, I don't know if people still use LemEdit and CustLemm anymore, but if they do, I've got an 8-level pack ready (with 2 dud maps at the end, for now). A couple of the levels are interesting imo... a couple are not so interesting... but if you're looking for more short levels...

Edit: Alright, I just saw the Level Pak topic, posted it there.

[DragonsLover]

Hey! Welcome here Shvegait!

You know? Me too I drew levels of Lemmings, I still remember that I went with my friend in his home and have fun making levels on paper! I don't know if I have them again, maybe not... But anyway, you're not the only one that drew levels and dreamed about a level editor.

Anyway... welcome again! Enjoy the forum!

[Proxima]

He certainly isn't the only one....... I did so many it's unbelievable. Not just for Lemmings, for games like Prince of Persia and many invented games, but Lemmings was the one that really got me started on this strange art form.

Shvegait, I certainly recommend that you try out Cheapo! I've not been working with it long, less than a month, but I've nearly finished my first set of 30 Cheapo levels, which you can try out, but only if you have Cheapo yourself! It's a really great way to make your invented Lemmings levels a reality.

[chaos_defrost]

I have a notebook half full of levels for Lemmings. I had two previously completeed notebooks, but lost those. My notebook is divided into 4 sets of 30 levels. I called the sets "Difficult, Menacing, Chaotic, Hopeless" (In order of difficulty. Although, to be frank, the Difficult levels aren't too bad, and neither are some of the early Hopeless levels) -- I am planning to Cheapo re-make this set (A few of the levels will be redundant from past sets, others re-makes of LE levels... but there will be original levels also.

[DragonsLover]

So, you see Shvegait? You're not the only one!