{"id":1145,"date":"2019-12-01T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-01T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dodgethis.com\/portfolio\/?p=1145"},"modified":"2026-05-17T23:51:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T06:51:39","slug":"bleak-inlet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dodgethis.com\/portfolio\/bleak-inlet\/","title":{"rendered":"Bleak Inlet"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Project:\u2003\u2003The Long Dark \/ Survival Mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Engine: \u2002\u2003\u2002Unity 3D<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Timeline: \u2002\u2002 In Fall 2019 for the Errant Pilgrim<\/a> update<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
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My Role on Bleak Inlet \u2014 Open World Designer<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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I contributed to foundational concept work and paper designs for the entire region.
My implementation responsibilities included bringing Last Resort Cannery from greyblock to release.
This level was completed within 3 months by delegating across a team of 4 other designers and environment artists.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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BREAKDOWN FOR MY CONTRIBUTIONS<\/summary>\n
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1. \u2003Top-down paper plan<\/mark> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Requesting then applying feedback from leads and Creative Director, in collaboration with artist<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

2. \u2003Ownership of level design<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Last Resort Cannery and other locations in region<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

3. \u2003Establishing & tuning initial use cases for novel mechanics<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wildlife pathing, behaviours, and hazards: extreme wind zones, collapsing floors<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

4. \u2003Set-dressing & item placements for survival gameplay<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Critical and follow-up coverage passes for tools, gear, resources, and collectibles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

5. \u2003Post-release<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Level analyses describing categorical building, shelter, and structure attributes<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
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Level Design progression for Last Resort Cannery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The entryway got extra attention later in development, replacing rocks with a custom asset:
a beautiful iron wrought gate that became the map icon for this location.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Google<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"First<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Second<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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My initial mockups were completed in Google Sketchup, and led to more iteration with Lead Designer and Environment Artists. I then spent time iterating on the gameplay of walking between platforms, as the project had not proven it out in any gym or test settings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The middle screen capture from Unity 3d includes the first version with a walkable path. It incorporates many new objects in early modeling stages. Note the image is missing major level features like terrain work to show where the land ends and the frozen ocean begins. Only external features for the new modular warehouse buildings exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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By the time the ice and terrain overpaint textures are added in editor, our modular warehouses would now have basic walkable interiors that are closer to the intention for release. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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I also begin to anticipate the gameplay needs for new structures with falling hazards, for sections of broken rooftops, etc. The two main examples can be seen on the bottom of schematics or the right hand side of the courtyard when facing towards the sea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visual elements, like the brown placeholder boat included in all the early iteration stages, would be removed from this traversal path for release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Moving the boat, named Constitution, into the ocean brought this layout closer to the original vision from key concept art. The final level showcases that unique boat with a dramatic visual story\u2014invoking the forlorn imagery of being stuck in a frozen ocean.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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My Achievements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Honed my level design skillset by collaborating with the Lead Environment Artist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Developed world narrative through text found on collectibles through this region<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Delivered traversal challenge that introduces players to novel gameplay elements<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Walkthrough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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