{"id":686,"date":"2026-05-20T09:29:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T09:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/?p=686"},"modified":"2026-07-06T16:13:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T16:13:17","slug":"ateliers-key","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/level-design\/ateliers-key\/","title":{"rendered":"Ateliers Key"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Atelier&#8217;s Key is a dark-fantasy FPS set in a root-bound Victorian world\u00a0inhabited by puppets,\u00a0formed around a central deity known only as\u00a0<em>&#8216;The Carver&#8217;<\/em>  released on Steam <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Responsibilities<\/strong>: I was Lead Designer with my main focus on level design and balancing. Along with additional responsibility for pitch deck creation and presentation <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Team Size:<\/strong>&nbsp;12<br><strong>Development time:&nbsp;<\/strong>9 months<br><strong>Tools:&nbsp;<\/strong>Unreal Engine 5, GitHub, Fork, Teams and OneDrive<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/4759400\/Ateliers_Key\/\">Play<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio has-custom-css wp-custom-css-a6bc1be7\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Atelier&amp;apos;s Key | Reveal Trailer\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vyesulhgTcQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS2-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-695\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS2-1-1024x576.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS2-1-300x169.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS2-1-768x432.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS2-1-1536x864.png 1536w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS2-1-2048x1151.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-grey-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-grey-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Level Design and Balancing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><a href=\"#DesignObjectives\">Design Objectives<\/a><br><a href=\"#DesignObjectives\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#DesignObjectives\">Flow<\/a><br><a href=\"#Whiteboxing\">Whiteboxing<\/a><br><a href=\"#aerawfrawfa\">Heatmaps<\/a><br><a href=\"#EnemyBalancing\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#EnemyBalancing\">Enemy and Gun Balancing<\/a><br><a href=\"#WhatIlearned\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#WhatIlearned\">What I learned<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-grey-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-grey-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"DesignObjectives\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong>Design Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Level navigation seeming open but is in actuality linear <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensuring that levels are detailed in aesthetic design but simple to navigate to allow focus on combat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As the player becomes used to combat the levels gain more depth and nuance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty increases as play progresses but never too much to feel unfair<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensuring that there is the right ratio of enemy types to keep combat interesting and fresh<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All weapons feel as though they are a viable option throughout play to accommodate different playstyles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"3052\" height=\"1716\" src=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-692\" style=\"width:449px;height:auto\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS3.png 3052w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS3-300x169.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS3-1024x576.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS3-768x432.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS3-1536x864.png 1536w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Y3-SpindlewoodStudios-AteliersKey-SS3-2048x1151.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3052px) 100vw, 3052px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-grey-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-grey-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"Flow\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong>Flow<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized wp-duotone-unset-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"295\" src=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AteliersKeyLevelFlow-1024x295.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-701\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3.4715012183494016;width:1024px;height:auto\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AteliersKeyLevelFlow-1024x295.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AteliersKeyLevelFlow-300x87.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AteliersKeyLevelFlow-768x221.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AteliersKeyLevelFlow.png 1349w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Level Flow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"249\" src=\"https:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Key.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-702\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Flow Key<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-grey-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-grey-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"Whiteboxing\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong>Whiteboxing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout Atelier&#8217;s Key the main focus of the level design was to keep navigation of levels simple when a new mechanic is introduced to ensure that player focus would be on learning and mastering each mechanic. Then as the game progresses the levels become more advanced and provide the player gradually with more freedom of choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Streets<br>This level is the first within the game that provides the player with a basic navigational choice, left or right pathway. This simple choice was decided so that players could gradually become accustomed to the more open spaces to ensure that they were not overwhelmed by vast navigational choices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Read More<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the <em>&#8216;Streets&#8217;<\/em> level the player is given a new mechanic, the grappling hook. This addition to the players movement creates a new dimension that needs to be considered in the level design. As seen in the <em>&#8220;Streets&#8221;<\/em> image there are now multiple different routes that the player can take\/access by using the grapple. These routes, while seeming more open actually lead the player to the same location to create an illusion of freedom and exploration.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-custom-css is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow wp-custom-css-6a221350\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 cb-carousel-block cb-single-slide\" data-cb-slides-per-view=\"1\" data-cb-slides-per-group=\"1\" data-cb-space-between=\"15\" data-cb-speed=\"300\" data-cb-navigation=\"true\" data-cb-pagination=\"true\" data-cb-autoplay=\"true\" data-cb-autoplay-speed=\"3000\" data-cb-breakpoints=\"{&quot;768&quot;:{&quot;slidesPerView&quot;:1,&quot;slidesPerGroup&quot;:1}}\"><div class=\"swiper\"><div class=\"cb-wrapper swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"382\" src=\"https:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-5-1-1024x382.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-899\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-5-1-1024x382.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-5-1-300x112.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-5-1-768x286.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-5-1.png 1531w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Iteration 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Streets-V2-1024x384.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-897\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Streets-V2-1024x384.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Streets-V2-300x112.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Streets-V2-768x288.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Streets-V2.png 1451w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Iteration 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"437\" src=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-2-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-708\" style=\"aspect-ratio:2.3433489969275256;width:710px;height:auto\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-2-1024x437.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-2-300x128.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-2-768x328.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-2-1536x655.png 1536w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-2.png 1910w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Final Pass<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"cb-pagination swiper-pagination\"><\/div><div class=\"cb-button-prev swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"cb-button-next swiper-button-next\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-custom-css is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow wp-custom-css-64d75782\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 cb-carousel-block cb-single-slide\" data-cb-slides-per-view=\"1\" data-cb-slides-per-group=\"1\" data-cb-space-between=\"15\" data-cb-speed=\"300\" data-cb-navigation=\"true\" data-cb-pagination=\"true\" data-cb-autoplay=\"true\" data-cb-autoplay-speed=\"3000\" data-cb-breakpoints=\"{&quot;768&quot;:{&quot;slidesPerView&quot;:1,&quot;slidesPerGroup&quot;:1}}\"><div class=\"swiper\"><div class=\"cb-wrapper swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Boss-Room-Whitebox-1024x448.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-902\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Boss-Room-Whitebox-1024x448.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Boss-Room-Whitebox-300x131.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Boss-Room-Whitebox-768x336.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Boss-Room-Whitebox.png 1447w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Whiteboxing Showing Boss Room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"459\" src=\"https:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Boss-Room-1024x459.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-905\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Boss-Room-1024x459.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Boss-Room-300x134.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Boss-Room-768x344.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Boss-Room.png 1461w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Final Pass Showing Boss Room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/OverviewRooftops-1024x449.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-903\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/OverviewRooftops-1024x449.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/OverviewRooftops-300x132.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/OverviewRooftops-768x337.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/OverviewRooftops.png 1453w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Overview Whiteboxing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"441\" src=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-1-1-1024x441.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-709\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-1-1-1024x441.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-1-1-300x129.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-1-1-768x331.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-1-1-1536x661.png 1536w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navigation-PT-1-1.png 1918w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Final Pass Multi Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"cb-pagination swiper-pagination\"><\/div><div class=\"cb-button-prev swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"cb-button-next swiper-button-next\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rooftops:<br>The main objective with the rooftops sections was ensuring that the boss room could be seen from almost anywhere within the level to give players a visual distinct location that they can begin to move towards as this is the first level within the game that is more open rather than being very linear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Read more<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the <em>&#8216;Streets&#8217;<\/em> level was restricted due to the introduction of a new mechanic, the <em>&#8216;Rooftop&#8217;<\/em> level removed many of these limitations, resulting in level complexity increasing. This was achieved through introducing multiple different routes each supporting different styles of gameplay and encouraging exploration. This design choice was intended to mirror the players growing game sense; when players have limited game knowledge, they are confined within more linear levels. However, as their game sense increases, the levels become more open allowing for increased experimentation and exploration.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-grey-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-grey-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"Heatmaps\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong>Heatmaps<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"946\" height=\"395\" src=\"https:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Heatmap-3D-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-716\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Heatmap-3D-1.png 946w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Heatmap-3D-1-300x125.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Heatmap-3D-1-768x321.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">3D Heatmap<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Incorporating a heatmap allowed the levels to be iterated on and developed quickly ensuring more time could be spent on weapon and enemy balancing. This 3D heatmap allowed me to see the areas that players were getting stuck or lost allowing for quick level iteration to ensure navigation was simple.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-grey-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-grey-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"EnemyBalancing\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong>Enemy and Gun Balancing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To support my process I compiled a note document that contained the types of enemy and guns along with all the values that could be changed. To ensure that no values got deleted during merge conflicts with Git. This process was slow and gruelling as finding the right values for play, to ensure that the game wasn&#8217;t too easy or impossible to complete, was extremely difficult. My main focus to help with this process was getting as many playtests as I possibly could to accommodate for varied playstyles and levels of skill.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-2-1024x447.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-724\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-2-1024x447.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-2-300x131.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-2-768x335.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-2.png 1396w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Snippet of Enemy Balance doc<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 cb-carousel-block cb-single-slide has-custom-css wp-custom-css-b77666f1\" data-cb-slides-per-view=\"1\" data-cb-slides-per-group=\"1\" data-cb-space-between=\"15\" data-cb-speed=\"300\" data-cb-navigation=\"true\" data-cb-pagination=\"true\" data-cb-autoplay=\"true\" data-cb-autoplay-speed=\"3000\" data-cb-breakpoints=\"{&quot;768&quot;:{&quot;slidesPerView&quot;:1,&quot;slidesPerGroup&quot;:1}}\"><div class=\"swiper\"><div class=\"cb-wrapper swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"373\" src=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor1-1024x373.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-728\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor1-1024x373.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor1-300x109.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor1-768x280.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor1-1536x559.png 1536w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor1.png 1903w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">V1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"393\" src=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor2-1024x393.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-729\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor2-1024x393.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor2-300x115.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor2-768x295.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor2-1536x590.png 1536w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor2.png 1903w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">V2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cb-slide-v2 cb-slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"371\" src=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor3-1024x371.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-730\" srcset=\"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor3-1024x371.png 1024w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor3-300x109.png 300w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor3-768x278.png 768w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor3-1536x556.png 1536w, http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Corridor3.png 1911w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">V3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"cb-pagination swiper-pagination\"><\/div><div class=\"cb-button-prev swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"cb-button-next swiper-button-next\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Balancing each enemy type in isolation I found to be unusually difficult particularly areas that only included snipers. Rather than focussing on individual enemy values I focussed on the surrounding level design to make the enemies feel easier or more difficult to kill. This required more iteration and playtesting but I found this approach to be simpler and quicker for me to implement and understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This approach to enemy balancing and level iteration was used  throughout the game to ensure that areas were fun and rewarding once completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Read More<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <em>&#8220;Corridor V1&#8221;<\/em>  there were two snipers positioned in the roof as there was no obstacle in the corridor. Feedback I got from players was that they felt as though it was unfair as they were unsure of how to approach both snipers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To combat this I placed a root within the wall <em>(Corridor V2)<\/em> to block one of the snipers field of vision this allowed players to navigate through this section and kill the snipers. This solved the issue to some extent but I began to notice that players were getting shot by the visible sniper through the doorway. Resulting in unfair deaths and players struggling with level navigation as they assumed that the intended path was the wrong one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From this feedback I created another iteration <em>&#8220;Corridor V3&#8221;<\/em> . Where I removed the sniper that was visible the entire time along with moving the hidden one slightly so he was visible behind the root, while also ensuring that his line of sight was blocked until the player approaches him. This resulted in players getting less frustrated and confused allowing for a smoother player experience.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-grey-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-grey-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"WhatIlearned\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong>What I learned<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The level of scope and ambition that this project required allowed me to gain a better understanding for both teamworking skills but also personal developmental improvements. I gained vital information about patience within a team but also the importance of keeping a strict schedule with both agile workflow within the team but personal work-life balance. Furthermore, I expected to only work on level design going into the project but due to uncontrollable factors I became the sole designer for the project resulting in me taking on more work than anticipated. While I felt annoyed and overwhelmed during some aspects of development undertaking these areas that I wasn&#8217;t confident in I have become a better designer and team practitioner. Overall, I am proud of what was achieved during this project.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Atelier&#8217;s Key is a dark-fantasy FPS set in a root-bound Victorian world\u00a0inhabited by puppets,\u00a0formed around a central deity known only as\u00a0&#8216;The Carver&#8217; released on Steam Responsibilities: I was Lead Designer with my main focus on level design and balancing. Along with additional responsibility for pitch deck creation and presentation Team Size:&nbsp;12Development time:&nbsp;9 monthsTools:&nbsp;Unreal Engine 5, GitHub, Fork, Teams and OneDrive [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":693,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-level-design"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=686"}],"version-history":[{"count":169,"href":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":945,"href":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/686\/revisions\/945"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/odessadesign.co.uk\/eddlabs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}