02 — Design philosophy
Five rules
I build by.
Not slogans. Working constraints that shape every level, system, and quiet moment. Scroll to load them one at a time.
01Empathy
The player is always right.
If they're confused, the level failed. Not them. Redesign, iterate, test again.
02Pacing
Silence is a mechanic.
Quiet moments aren't empty, they're loaded. Use them to build tension, signal danger, or let a space breathe.
03Environment
Every room tells a story.
Before a single line of dialogue, the environment should already be speaking. Geometry, lighting, and decay are all narrative tools.
04Systems
Constraints breed creativity.
The best designs come from working within limits, not around them. Restrictions force elegance.
05Iteration
Playtest early. Playtest often.
Assumptions are the enemy. Real players will always surprise you, and that's where the real design begins.