Cevat Yerli, CEO and PresidentSten Hübler, Lead DesignerBernd Diemer, Producer

GDC08

Crysis in the making

2004: The Vision2005: Core X Playable2006: E3 2007: FinalNanosuitSandbox Gameplay Keeping the Vision

Key achievementsGraphicsTechnologySandbox design Human AI

Take it to the next levelKey learning

B movie storyQuicksaveToo difficultNon-human AI

Challenge and improve in next title

Far Cry vs. Crysis

The Vision“Frozen Paradise”Maximum Game ExpressionOutsmart Core GameplayRealistic Sci Fi

Alien Invasion

The Vision Creating a world that sells realistic Sci-FiBelieveable, telling, evolving – almost a character

2005: Core X Video „Best looking game ever“

Core X VideoJungleFrozenAlien

Realism as gate to believeabilityField Trip - Tahiti

Find out how it actually looks like!

Photoreal Graphics & Motion

Photoreal Graphics – The trip ☺

2006: E3 “Looks good, but can I play?”NanosuitBreakable vegetationAIFirst public showing

Nanosuit

Destroyable vegetation

First public showingProject Vision vs. Public expectations

Proof of FunSelling the vision to the public and the team “It really works!”

Realism vs. believabilityChasing perfectionAI believability is conveyed in context

Realism isn’t funEntertain and challenge

Never the same battle twiceFrankenstein’s babies

A.I.

Flow graph - good and evilDynamic worlds and their burden“Human” instead of “Perfect”Break expectations

A.I.

2007: Final Systematic Nanosuit gameplaySandbox levelsKeeping the vision

The NanosuitCustomization is king

Extra dimension of choices

Player-expressed hero

Outsmart GameplayExpressing Play style:Act, not react

Feature IP

NanosuitSo what cool stuff can I do with it?

Bottom-up feature design

NanosuitComplexity and Usability hate each otherProve it in the game: Iteration and playtestingFocus tests: Painful but good

Fullscreen interfaceSo what cool stuff can I do with it?

Act, not react

So what cool stuff can I do with it?Act, not react

Result: Death by Chicken!

Analogue Interface

...results in:

MICROMANAGEMENT!

Leading to Death by Chicken!

MICROMANAGEMENT!

NanosuitBinary modesTangible parameter changes between modesFast and intuitive accessShow the specific action in the interfaceThe player is always rightLet the player do „Cool Stuff“

So how does it get in the game?Implement the tools to use a feature

Not in the original design, levels have to be changed to prompt the use of the feature

NanosuitProvoking feature use

Freedom!It’s the player’s game, not the designer’s game.

Sandbox Level Design

Sandbox Level Design

Scout Ambush

Harbor Bay

Outpost Path

Village Forest

Harbor Bay

AAA

Broken Road

Crane

Cruiser

Warehouse 1

Warehouse 2

Bus Station

First Border

Village

Counter

Attack

Outpost

Gas Station

Forest Path

Beach Path

Bridge

Harbor

Entrance

Strickland

Water

station

Silo

Bradley

PierAttac

k

Waterfall

Road Way

Abstract understanding

Objectives help the player to not get lostGameplay obstacles to entertain and challengeGameplay focus

Combine all ingredients, find the right mixture and balance

Visual Fidelity vs. technical Feasibility Gameplay focusStoryReconstructed level design team - Where is my department?

Sandbox Level Design

Keeping the VisionKeep the strategic view on path

Keep the quality bar up for the whole team

But!Do not innovate for innovations sake

Theater of the “developers” mindTheater of the “players” mindManaging feature creep

Feature Creep award ☺

The Feature Creep Award™

Inventing the camera while shooting a movieTechnology & Gameplay

DX10

Communicating the VisionIts a seed, inspire, engage, but challenge too

Quality bars and schedules: „When its done“ain‘t good enough for the team

Keeping the Vision

Conclusions: Don‘t compromiseStay flexible and humanA vision is developed by a team, its seeded by a visionary.

Keeping the Vision

Focus on efficiencyIterate faster on your “new gameplay”Prototype the animations

Train for innovation during Pre-ProductionFocus on your vision and keep on itSeeded Ideas must create 10 more opportunitiesTheater of players mind – very powerfulAgile development is your “best” friend

Production Key Learnings

Questions?

Thank you for your time!

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