Hi, my name is Trinh Nguyen and my passion is to create fun & exciting levels!
I design levels for the players, for me fun and player experience will always be number #1
I always strive to create one of the coolest levels with them WOW-Moments.
In my eyes a good level designer is one who can take the core gameplay mechanics
and amplify them with their level design to create unique and cool moments.
For this reason I have build up a broad knowledge through the years, to understand what the players want.
With my additional knowledge in environment design, I can increase the overall player experience in the level.
The following projects are some of my most proudest pieces that I have created, during my level design career.
THE SURVIVORS: ARCTIC WESTERN BATTLE ROYALE
2017-Present | Team Project | Technical Level Designer & World Builder
The Survivors is a FPS Battle Royale where 100 players fight for a claim in the gold rush.
Role: Multiplayer Level Designer
Responsibilities:
- Concepting & Finalizing (6):500x500m tiles.
- Maintaining vision over: Level Flow & Layout
- Terrain Creation, handsculpt & WorldMachine
- Set Dressing & Material Shader Creation
- Stand-in Lead Level Designer
Developer: NHTV Breda / Autotelic Design (client)
Platforum: Steam PC
Engine: UE4
Recognition:
- For my technical knowledge about UE4
FPS deathmatch map with the focus on epic level moments and the executing of level dynamics through player skill!
Role: Multiplayer Level Designer
Responsibilities:
- Whiteboxing, Level Layout, Playtest Setup
- Creating guideline documentation for Artists
Platforum: PC
Engine: UE4
Recognition:
- Chosen by a group of Environment Artists for a beautification pass
- Featured by Unreal Tournament Social Media page
- Featured in several UT4 Server hubs
A first person puzzle/adventure game. Revolving around changing the seasons with a press on a button!
Role: Multiplayer Level Designer
Responsibilities:
- Metrics, Level Layout, Whiteboxing, Scripting & Playtesting
- Creating compelling game dynamics through Rational Level Design.
Platforum: PC
Engine: UE4
Recognition:
- Showcased on a (Dutch) national Beta event: Night of the Nerds with 1000+ visitors. (Exhibitor)
- Praised/Exalted as an exceptional game prototype by the entire teaching staff.
- Game prototyped by solely 3 designers
AGR is an anti-grav racing game for 2-4 players on the PS4
Race with/against your friends against the clock and be the fastest drifter.
Ride in the world of surrealism and get exposed to heart beating moments!
Role: Level/Track Designer
Responsibilities:
- Whiteboxing, Level Layout, Playtesting
- Research & Documentation on Track Design in Games
- Assisting the engine team with determining feature priorities.
Platforum: PS4
Engine: VooDoo Engine
A personal project where I explore my world building knowledge in UE4.
Role: Level/Environment Designer
Responsibilities:
- Terrain Creation, handsculpt & WorldMachine
- Set Dressing & Material Shader Creation
Platforum: PC
Engine: UE4
Recognition:
Featured on Unreal Engine's social media page.
WORLD BUILDING - ARTSTATION LEVEL DESIGN CHALLENGE IN UE4
2018| Solo Project | Environment Art & Level Designer
A personal project where I explore my world building knowledge in UE4.
Role: Environment Design & Art
Responsibilities:
- Level Layout & Flow
- Terrain Creation, handsculpt & WorldMachine
- Asset Creation (Organic World Building)
- Lighting, Set Dressing & Material Shader Creation
Platforum: PC
Engine: UE4
My take on the Environment Design of Naughty Dog Games
Featured on Gamasutra|2018| Research Project | Level/Environment Designer
This Article goes in-depth about my take on the designs that Naughty Dog uses to create flow in their games.
Topics:
- What makes Naughty Dog Games, like Naughty Dog?
- What is flow
- How do we define flow
- The Good Examples
- The Mistakes
- Summary
Games Discussed:
- Uncharted 4
- The Last of Us
UE4 Blueprints - Rootmotion Controller for 3rd person controller
Ongoing|2018| Research Project | Scripter
This Article will explain what Rootmotion is and how I implemented/Scripted it in UE4.
Topics:
- What is Rootmotion
- Why Rootmotion
- How to set it up in UE4
- Adding Crouching & Vaulting
- The Results
Engine: UE4
Language: UE4 Visual Scripting (Blueprints)
To document and keep track of my growth, I decided to start a blog on ArtStation.
The content of this blog will consist of things that I found interesting to learn. I believe that knowing a bit about Art, will help me with making more informed decision for world design and level design related work.
- Level and Environment Design
- Modeling and Blockout
- Substance Designer (material authoring)