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About Me
About Me
Position: Level Design Intern - World of Warcraft
School: Wichita State University - Bachelores in Media Arts with Emphasis in Game Design
Dates: May 24 - August 13
Interests: Level Design, Gaming, hiking, traveling, fitness/exercise, music, rock climbing
Artstation: ArtStation - Zachary Sewell
Linkdin: Zachary Sewell - Level Design Intern - Blizzard Entertainment | LinkedIn
Terrain Sculpting
Terrain Sculpting
The first thing I learned as a Level Design Intern was how to properly: Sculpt, shape, and texture terrain that is seen throughout World of Warcraft. I was given three mountain sculpts, all from different biomes and zones. From there I was told to Mimmick the each mountains shape and texture language and match the references I was given to the best of my ability. This was also where I was introduced to using a Wacom tablet for the first time.
The first thing I learned as a Level Design Intern was how to properly: Sculpt, shape, and texture terrain that is seen throughout World of Warcraft. I was given three mountain sculpts, all from different biomes and zones. From there I was told to Mimmick the each mountains shape and texture language and match the references I was given to the best of my ability. This was also where I was introduced to using a Wacom tablet for the first time.
*Below is one of the three sets of mountain sculpts*
*Below is one of the three sets of mountain sculpts*
Environment Extension
Environment Extension
After terrain sculpting, I learned how to create a WoW environment. I chose the Kul Tiras mountains to create my environment extension. The biome reminds me a lot like locations I had seen while traveling the southern coast of Ireland with my family.
After terrain sculpting, I learned how to create a WoW environment. I chose the Kul Tiras mountains to create my environment extension. The biome reminds me a lot like locations I had seen while traveling the southern coast of Ireland with my family.
With that in mind, I wanted to create an environment that sees a plethora of flash floods, and rain. The kit also provided plenty of vegetation doodads to help sell the story being told by the environment. Whilst working on my Environment, I also learned how to setup: Roads, doodad clusters, water plains, and lights.
With that in mind, I wanted to create an environment that sees a plethora of flash floods, and rain. The kit also provided plenty of vegetation doodads to help sell the story being told by the environment. Whilst working on my Environment, I also learned how to setup: Roads, doodad clusters, water plains, and lights.
POI Development
POI Development
My final task as a Level Design Intern was to develop and flesh out a full POI. This included a Quest Hub, where the player can buy and sell items, repair their equipment, and pickup quests. A Combat POI, where the player will travel to complete any quests given to them back in the Quest hub or even just farm mobs for their loot.
My final task as a Level Design Intern was to develop and flesh out a full POI. This included a Quest Hub, where the player can buy and sell items, repair their equipment, and pickup quests. A Combat POI, where the player will travel to complete any quests given to them back in the Quest hub or even just farm mobs for their loot.
"Curse of FarrowFall"
"Curse of FarrowFall"
With so many different kits to choose from, I decided to go with the Kul Tiras and Drustvar kits for my POI. I used to Kul Tiras kit to develop the player HUB. I loved the variety that came with the Drustvar pack. It was the most fitting for the "Blair witch" theme I aimed for during the makings of my Combat POI.
With so many different kits to choose from, I decided to go with the Kul Tiras and Drustvar kits for my POI. I used to Kul Tiras kit to develop the player HUB. I loved the variety that came with the Drustvar pack. It was the most fitting for the "Blair witch" theme I aimed for during the makings of my Combat POI.
The HUB is a small rural town that sits along the mountainside of Kul Tiras. To the East, a dangerous and mysterious curse plagues the lands of what was once known as, "FarrowFall". None from the town dare venture into these lands, as none are never seen to return...
The HUB is a small rural town that sits along the mountainside of Kul Tiras. To the East, a dangerous and mysterious curse plagues the lands of what was once known as, "FarrowFall". None from the town dare venture into these lands, as none are never seen to return...
HUB and Combat POI References
HUB and Combat POI References
*Rough layout using flat vertex colors to identify where the HUB and Combat POI will be located. Along with roads, and natural areas. Layouts like this are not final and get adjusted quite often after numerous feedback sessions and run throughs with a playbuild. *
*Rough layout using flat vertex colors to identify where the HUB and Combat POI will be located. Along with roads, and natural areas. Layouts like this are not final and get adjusted quite often after numerous feedback sessions and run throughs with a playbuild. *
*Ideas that were cut during development*
*Ideas that were cut during development*
HUB Development
HUB Development
Combat POI Development
Combat POI Development
The Final Product
The Final Product
The Player HUB
The Player HUB
Combat POI
Combat POI
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
The amount of knowledge I have gained within this short span of two months has been more than substantial. During my time as an Intern on the WoW level design team, I have learned and gained a better understanding of:
The amount of knowledge I have gained within this short span of two months has been more than substantial. During my time as an Intern on the WoW level design team, I have learned and gained a better understanding of:
Design philosophies and techniques that are unique to World of Warcraft
How proper flow and language are essential elements of a design process
The meaning and implementation of: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd pass phases throughout my POI
How often and effective communication within the team can be in the development of a zone
Prioritization of feedback
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