Like I promised, here it is.... the most artistically interactive shape/space I've ever encountered.
"I had created a structure that contained a cycle of internal energy using the positive and negative space of simple 3D layered shapes inside of a golden rectangle."
I recommend playing the level first before reading on. There's nothing like gathering your own observations/opinions before reading the creator's.
Level name: LBP Workshop: Shapes & Space
User name: Berg443
Location: Antarctica
- Notice the clash/harmony of organic and inorganic shapes. The whole space is built out of a rectangle and a square. At the same time, this region is punctured/punctuated by the organic vine/leaf like shapes that appear to be growing up the right wall.
- One of the most interesting areas is where the positive space "vine" turns into a negative space "vine cave." The transition is hidden in part behind the tan vine in the closest layer. This area is alluring for the same reason as this optical illusion. The energy that exists between these two "vines" that take up the same space moves the player up back into the space. After all, moving down and right is a dead end.
- The yellow areas are small gaps that hint at the overall rectangular frame while taking on an organic negative shape from the "vines." All of these gaps can be explored. By jumping into the bottom left most gap, players can run behind the vine unobstructed at the bottom of the square frame. Because in LBP you can only jump down forward toward the foreground, going through the gap is the only way to explore the bottom of the square frame. In this way, what appears simple is actually a small puzzle.
- Though there are a few paths to take, the bottom and right side of the space are filled with jumps and bumps creating organic motion. The top, left, and middle of the stage lend themselves to straight lines of motion or inorganic motion.
- The internal energy flowing counterclockwise throughout the space create a sort of endless playground eventually accenting all of the spaces' qualities and harmonizing with the theme: man vs nature.
If we look to many of the most popular and well designed video games and platforming games to model LBP stages after, we'll only be limiting the rich possibilities available. No 2D game handles space quite like LBP. Recognizing these unique features and capitalizing on them is what this workshop is all about: simple shapes layered together in 3 lanes to make use of their positive and negative spaces for positioning and platforming is the most effective and unique option for LBP level design. It is in this next-gen direction that I will continue to design all of my LBP levels.