61 ways to better design your campaigns in L4D2 or L4D1. Grab a coffee and a notepad to take notes. The following article is long. 2800+ words and over 150 images. It contains 61 ways you can better design your L4D2/L4D1 campaigns. It includes all Valve's released campaign maps from L4D2. Although, same tips apply for L4D1.

http://www.worldofleveldesign.com/categories/left4dead2_mapping/l4d2-visual-gameplay-reference-guide-campaign-design.php

I hope you've had a great summer of 2010 so far. It is not over yet. We can't end this summer without an 11 Day Level Design Challenge.

Many of you will be going back to school, starting school or getting back to work. Lets finish this summer of 2010 with a bang.

It has been 7 months since the first official 11 Day Level Design Challenge. How have you done so far? Have you improved since January? Remember, constantly re-evaluate yourself and your skill. Always aim high, think big. Work hard, play hard. Lets do another sprint and push through your plateau. Participate in 11 Day Level Design Challenge Summer and come out after 11 days with a playable map.

Contest Guidelines/Rules:

Contest Theme:
Rural Summer

Definition of Rural:

•living in or characteristic of farming or country life;
•of or relating to the countryside as opposed to the city;

Time:


•Contest runs from August. 01, 2010 - August. 31, 2010

•Once you start, you have 11-Days to design a playable level

•Deadline is August. 31, 2010. The final day we will accept entries.

•Last day to begin 11 Day Challenge is August 21. (August 21st + 11 days = August 31, Deadline). But it is better to begin as soon as you can. Don't wait till the last day.


What To Do:


•You must sign up at WoLD Forums. It's free!

•You must begin a new thread on WoLD Forums.

•Title your thread "[YourForumName] 11 Day Level Design - Summer"

•Once you start you have 11 days to complete and create a playable level.

•You must update WIP thread daily. Post screenshots or videos. It's up to you which one you choose.

•Day 11 provide the link to your beta map to download.

Create:


•Playable Game Level or Game Environment based on your idea, image, concept art, videogame environment you like or painting.

•Any environment as long as it has the contest theme of 'Rural Summer'.

•Doesn't have to be final. Beta is what we are looking for.

•Any Level Editor of your choice

•You are allowed to have buildings, or other architecture structures as long as they are within a dominating rural landscape.

Judges:
AlexG, Smog, KeithGarry and NexusDog

Prize:

•The winner and 2 runner-ups will be featured on the front page of World of Level Design.

•Satisfaction of completing a playable map in 11 days. Many have started, only few finished.

Join the Challenge: http://www.worldofleveldesign.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=1630

We are happy to announce a winner of the challenge.

Congratulations, Zodd.


Thank you to all who participated in the challenge. It was a huge success. The quality of work that was produced is astounding.

The focus of the challenge was to create a playable level using Hammer Source based game, with a given template and to create something fun to play.

Each submitted entry receives notes to help out the designers improve their work.

The Winner and Runner Up receive more detailed notes. Winner receives the beta key to Starcraft II and our congratulations.

Today is the final day to submit your entries.

Please make sure you provide a download link for the level you are submitting as we’ll be collecting the entries on Saturday to begin judging them.

Thank You to all of you who have taken part in this challenge.

The Closing Date for the Gameplay and Flow Challenge is fast approaching. You have one week to finish your entries otherwise they will not be Judged!

21st May is the Deadline. Don't be late.


To view current entries: http://www.worldofleveldesign.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=38

To view Challenge Guidelines: http://www.worldofleveldesign.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1098