NEO: The World Ends With You

Level Design Process

• Conducted foundational research: Analyzed prequel game materials, user feedback, and reviewer insights to identify successful elements and inform design decisions, ensuring alignment with established franchise strengths.

• Collaborated on vision alignment: Partnered with Lead Designers and Producers at Square Enix to define the world’s creative and narrative vision, establishing a cohesive design framework.

• Defined metrics with cross-disciplinary teams: Engaged with design and engineering teams to understand player and entity locomotion capabilities, establishing precise metrics to guide engaging level layouts.

• Developed and iterated level designs: Created 2D layouts using Google Earth for GPS and topographical data, greyboxed in Blender, and integrated assets into Unity. Modified terrain to craft biomes per specifications, ensuring seamless collaboration with design, production, art, engineering, and QA teams.

• Refined through feedback loops: Incorporated end-user and internal feedback to iterate and polish level designs, optimizing environments for engagement, performance, and visual fidelity.

• Maintained documentation and communication: Kept detailed records of design iterations and facilitated transparent communication across teams to ensure alignment and quality.