project miner
project miner
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Project Miner is a 2.5D action roguelike set in an underground mine, where players explore interconnected rooms, fight enemies, and collect upgrades throughout each run.
As the Level Designer and Producer, I focus on creating readable combat spaces, varied room layouts, and a clear exploration flow. The environments combine roguelike level design principles with architecture and visual references inspired by real Polish mines.
research
research
Before designing the levels for Project Miner, I researched games such as Hades, The Binding of Isaac, and Curse of the Dead Gods. I analyzed how they structure combat rooms, maintain gameplay readability, guide player movement, and create varied encounters.
Before designing the levels for Project Miner, I researched games such as Hades, The Binding of Isaac, and Curse of the Dead Gods. I analyzed how they structure combat rooms, maintain gameplay readability, guide player movement, and create varied encounters.
I also researched the Miners’ Route in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Its underground chambers, narrow tunnels, wooden support structures, mining equipment, and changes in elevation became direct references for the layout and visual identity of the game’s locations.
I also researched the Miners’ Route in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Its underground chambers, narrow tunnels, wooden support structures, mining equipment, and changes in elevation became direct references for the layout and visual identity of the game’s locations.
By combining roguelike design principles with the architecture of a real Polish mine, I created rooms that support combat and exploration while remaining believable and consistent with the game’s setting.
By combining roguelike design principles with the architecture of a real Polish mine, I created rooms that support combat and exploration while remaining believable and consistent with the game’s setting.
planning the rooms
planning the rooms
Based on my research, I created detailed level design documentation for the rooms in Project Miner before building them in Unreal Engine.
Based on my research, I created detailed level design documentation for the rooms in Project Miner before building them in Unreal Engine.
For each room, I defined its purpose within the run, overall layout, entrances and exits, combat encounters, environmental obstacles, and reward placement. I also planned how the geometry would influence player movement, positioning, and the use of combat mechanics such as attacks and dashing.
For each room, I defined its purpose within the run, overall layout, entrances and exits, combat encounters, environmental obstacles, and reward placement. I also planned how the geometry would influence player movement, positioning, and the use of combat mechanics such as attacks and dashing.
The documentation gave every room a clear gameplay identity and became a shared reference for the design, programming, and art teams during production.
The documentation gave every room a clear gameplay identity and became a shared reference for the design, programming, and art teams during production.
DESIGNING THE ROOMS IN 2D
DESIGNING THE ROOMS IN 2D
Before building the rooms in Unreal Engine, I created detailed 2D level sketches in draw.io to translate the documentation into clear spatial layouts.
Before building the rooms in Unreal Engine, I created detailed 2D level sketches in draw.io to translate the documentation into clear spatial layouts.
For each room, I planned its shape, entrances and exits, the main player route, enemy encounters, obstacles, and reward placement. This allowed me to quickly compare different ideas and refine the gameplay flow before moving into 3D.
For each room, I planned its shape, entrances and exits, the main player route, enemy encounters, obstacles, and reward placement. This allowed me to quickly compare different ideas and refine the gameplay flow before moving into 3D.
These sketches became the foundation for creating the first playable blockouts.
These sketches became the foundation for creating the first playable blockouts.
FROM 2D SKETCHES TO PLAYABLE BLOCKOUTS
FROM 2D SKETCHES TO PLAYABLE BLOCKOUTS
Using the 2D sketches as a foundation, I recreated each room as a playable blockout in Unreal Engine 5.
Using the 2D sketches as a foundation, I recreated each room as a playable blockout in Unreal Engine 5.
During this stage, I translated the planned layouts into three-dimensional spaces, establishing the correct scale, room proportions, camera framing, and space required for movement and combat. I also positioned entrances, exits, obstacles, and key gameplay elements according to the original designs.
During this stage, I translated the planned layouts into three-dimensional spaces, establishing the correct scale, room proportions, camera framing, and space required for movement and combat. I also positioned entrances, exits, obstacles, and key gameplay elements according to the original designs.
Testing the rooms directly in the engine allowed me to identify issues that were not visible in the 2D sketches and adjust the layouts to improve readability, navigation, and combat flow.
Testing the rooms directly in the engine allowed me to identify issues that were not visible in the 2D sketches and adjust the layouts to improve readability, navigation, and combat flow.
TESTING COMBAT ACROSS DIFFERENT ROOMS
TESTING COMBAT ACROSS DIFFERENT ROOMS
I tested the playable blockouts through combat encounters in rooms with different shapes, proportions, and obstacle layouts.
Each room was designed to create a distinct gameplay situation by changing the available movement space, enemy positioning, and directions of incoming attacks. These tests helped me evaluate whether the layouts supported clear combat, effective use of the dash, and readable gameplay within the fixed camera perspective.
Based on the results, I adjusted room proportions, sightlines, and obstacle placement to improve movement and combat flow.
Project in Development
Project in Development
Project Miner is currently in development. The playable blockouts are being tested and refined, while the combat system and enemy encounters are still being developed.
Project Miner is currently in development. The playable blockouts are being tested and refined, while the combat system and enemy encounters are still being developed.
This case study will be updated with combat testing, level design iterations, and final environments as production progresses.
This case study will be updated with combat testing, level design iterations, and final environments as production progresses.
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