Un été, rue Chappet
The project
"Un été, rue Chappet" is a non-linear narrative game set in the Croix-Rousse area of Lyon, France, during the 1980s. The game follows the story of Eloïse, an 11-year-old girl who embarks on an adventure in her grandparent's unique building during the last days of summer vacation. Along the way, she meets the building's residents, each with their own sorrowful story to tell.
Commons areas / Apartment
The level of “Un été, rue chappet” is designed to look like a classic 80's building in lyon.
The apartments themselves are Canut apartments, a type of architecture found in the slopes of Croix-Rousse, where the game is set.
It was a real challenge to make the level design enjoyable to navigate within the constraints of a Lyon building. The residents' apartments also had to be arranged to conceal secrets while remaining realistic.
The world between walls
There's also "The World Between Walls," which undergoes significant changes. The intentions behind this world are to depict emotions and the psyche through level design.
In our vertical slice, it represents the psyche of the character Vivienne, an author with a mind tortured by her work.
Cameras
A significant part of level design that isn't immediately visible is the camera work. We use fixed, rail-mounted cameras that the player doesn't control. This allows us to play with camera angles for puzzles or to hide objects in the environment.
With this type of camera, adapting to small spaces is a real challenge to ensure smooth movement.
This is a fake level I made in God of war. This level take place in the early part of the game and help players to understand and master different mechanics of the game.
The level insists on exploration, with an emphasis on secondary exploration for curious players.
There's diversity between the combat, puzzle and exploration phases to bring contrast to the level. The aim is to keep the player from getting bored.
Finally, the level is designed to have a slight sense of progression, thanks to an increase in combat difficulty, but also to the level's vertical progression.