In this episode, Greg sits down with Jack Burrows, a level designer at NetEase, to explore the art, science, and philosophy behind video game level design. They discuss how developers balance player experience with creative ambition, the importance of time management and willpower, and how great design tells a story without words. Jack shares personal insights on motivation, creative process, and the emotional impact of level design, drawing on examples from Bioshock, Skyrim, and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Packed with practical advice and industry reflections, this episode is a masterclass for aspiring game designers and anyone curious about how the "sausage is made" in the world of video game development.

1. The Developer's Dilemma: Playing Games as a Player vs. Developer (00:00:00 - 00:01:24)

• Insight: Developers struggle to enjoy games like regular players because they see the flaws in design.
• Jack's View: While it's hard to "turn off" the developer brain, it's a crucial skill to cultivate empathy for players and understand their experience.
• Memorable Line: "If we're going to make games for players, we have to play games as a player so that you know the expectations that you would have if you were sitting there with a brand new game."

2. Time Management and Discipline (00:01:44 - 00:03:02)

• Challenge: Balancing personal ambition with responsibilities and fatigue.
• Example: Jack praises Thaddeus and Cliff Schult, two developers who inspire him with their time management skills, balancing family, work, and passion projects.
• Takeaway: Willpower is finite, and daily responsibilities drain it. Small wins, like logging accomplishments or tracking time, can help stay motivated.
• Memorable Line: "Willpower is a resource that you have to spend day to day."

3. The Role of Ambition in Level Design (00:12:26 - 00:17:07)

• Definition: Ambition in design means taking familiar ideas and pushing them further.
• Example: Metroid Prime 2: Echoes built on Metroid Prime by adding a dark, toxic alternate dimension, challenging players with a new, more dangerous world.
• Takeaway: Ambition is about taking something known and making it feel fresh. Jack explains how ambition fuels his desire to present original games on a big stage one day.
• Memorable Line: "How do I make it greater? How do I spin this on its head?"

4. How Great Level Design Tells a Story (00:47:57 - 00:51:04)

• Insight: Level design can tell a story through environment, atmosphere, and visuals alone — no dialogue needed.
• Example: Bioshock tells its story visually with decaying luxury, Art Deco styles, and objects like broken picket signs and syringes on the ground.
• Takeaway: Great level design marries "the human and the understood" with "the unbelievable" to create memorable, immersive experiences.
• Memorable Line: "What was once glorious and posh and clean is now desolate and decaying... purely through the emotion, through the lighting, through the tone."