In this developer tour of CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077, Dan, an experienced game developer, is guided by Seb McBride, an expert level design coordinator who worked on Cyberpunk 2077, its expansion Phantom Liberty, and is currently involved with Witcher 4. Seb shares insights into the development process, highlighting the creative freedom and complexity involved in designing levels that accommodate various playstyles, such as stealth or guns blazing. They explore specific gigs from the Phantom Liberty expansion, emphasizing the importance of verticality, player choice, and environmental storytelling in crafting immersive gameplay experiences.
Seb explains the role of a level designer at CD Projekt Red, describing how they act as intermediaries between environment and gameplay teams to create locations that support narrative and gameplay mechanics. He details the process of receiving a design brief from quest designers, blocking out locations using design kit pieces, and integrating gameplay elements like cover spots and interactable props. The discussion highlights the balance between artistic design and functional gameplay, where every object serves both narrative and mechanical purposes, such as cover placement and player movement guidance.
The conversation delves into the technical aspects of level design, including the use of metrics to ensure gameplay consistency and AI behavior. Seb discusses the importance of cover height, jump distances, and corridor widths, which are meticulously planned to align with player abilities and animations. They also touch upon the collaborative effort required from environment artists, lighting teams, and engineers to bring the world to life with detailed and contextually meaningful assets, such as fast travel points, loot rooms, and Easter eggs that enrich the player’s experience.
Throughout the tour, Seb and Dan highlight numerous Easter eggs and narrative details embedded in the game world, reflecting the studio’s commitment to depth and player engagement. From subtle references to the company’s founders to hidden loot areas accessible only through stealth, these elements showcase the layered storytelling and creative freedom the developers enjoyed. Seb also shares anecdotes about balancing game difficulty, enemy placement, and maintaining a rewarding progression curve that respects player skill and build choices.
In closing, Seb offers valuable advice for aspiring level designers, emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and a strong understanding of game mechanics and genres. He stresses the importance of a focused and original portfolio that clearly communicates design intentions through blockouts and visual storytelling. The discussion underscores the collaborative nature of game development and encourages learners to appreciate the interplay between design, art, and programming. The tour concludes with mutual appreciation and recognition of the talented teams behind Cyberpunk 2077’s rich, immersive world.
