Humbling experience as a LBP creator

I always knew what I wanted in life and strived hard to get it. That is my philosophy towards design as well. As I completed my first LBP level ("The Mine") and published it, I thought it was a great level and will be played and loved by many. Actually, it was far from it.

This weekend, I had some friends over for a pre-holiday bash and showed them Little Big Planet and the level(s) I designed. I wanted to use them as beta testers to see if the level design was intuitive enough for an average gamer to enjoy. Quickly, that excitement started to fade as my friends started to get frustrated as they played on. They were polite not to mention it, but I can see it in their eyes... the look of frustration as they kept on restarting the level because they die, or get stuck, or just confusing where to go.

I thought the level was simple and easy to figure out, it turn out to be puzzling and dificult to understand. One positive that came out of the expriment is the list below:

1. Never treat your players as expert-experienced players. Always treat them as first time gamer trying something new.

2. Never take things for granted. If you created a path for them, do not expect them to use it. Always leave simple direction markings (verbal or visual) to lead the player to where you want them to go, guide them with a character, or better yet point them to where they have to go. There are exceptions, but at least for the main path of travel, help your players out.

3. Never assume that a player will NOT go the OTHER way. It is always interesting to "pop" out the the level to the "never-never-land" and see the back-of-house stuff.

4. Never design a level that is too hard to complete. Turns players off before they can finish... if they even decide to finish.

5. Never get too serious if your level. The most successful ones are the light hearted one where a bit of comedy brings a care-free approach to the level.

Hopefully, this list is helpful for you in create an interesting level that poeple will like and heart.

Keep Creating!