Fortnite Triathlon

Level Designer | Solo project | Unreal Engine for Fortnite PUBLISHED

I learned Unreal Engine for Fortnite (UEFN)

I created three sections for Fortnite mechanics

Gameplay: Collecting XP Award Accolades

I used Flow Charts to plan out skill challenges for each mechanic and how they flow together

Each shape represents a type of engagement
- Skill Challenge
- Combat
- Exploration
- Cutscene
I note intended difficulty and relative duration of each skill challenge
I plan the Golden Path and where gameplay elements flow along it

Flow Chart for the first section

Mood boards for each section

Mood boards collect references for theming that I use during Set Decoration

I think about how decorations could fit into the space while blocking things out
I think about how skill challenges would make sense within a specific theme

I start by creating very basic elements of a level, playtesting them, and iterating on each element

Playtesting shows how long it takes to move through each gameplay element
- I compare this to my planning documents
This is when I think about health pickups, checkpoints, damage done to the player, and pacing of each section of the level

Revision history of the first skill challenge

Platforming: the final version of the first Damage Zone

Build & Drive: A driving challenge to collect building materials

Each section had different issues to think about

For platforming, I had to consider the timing between traps and how quickly players can get through Damage Zones
- I averaged playtested times from experienced and new players
For building and driving, I had to account for mistakes when building and control difficulty
- I added extra building materials
- Motorbikes were hard to control, so I removed them in favor of Karts
For shooting, I tested the affordances of different weapons and thought of how to challenge players on those affordances
- Pistol sections challenge quick-draw
- Shotgun sections challenge shot spread
- Sniper sections challenge bullet drop

Shooting: a target designed to test quick-draw skills

Tutorializing Mantling for players that don't know how to

My first pass involves guiding players along the golden path, especially in problematic areas

My flow charts give me a starting point: guide players between each "shape" of gameplay
Playtesting teaches me where players need more guidance than I initially expected

In my second pass, I reward exploration and implement optional difficulty spikes

Playtesting shows where players often go
- I put collectibles where players expect to find hidden collectibles and in cold spots
I use collectibles to increase the difficulty of skill challenges, for players who want it
- "Easy" mode is straightforward to navigate
- "Hard" mode is difficult to find all collectibles without dying in skill challenge
In UEFN, I used Accolade Functions to reward XP when collecting coins, reaching checkpoints, and completing a level section

Gold guides players to the next building material

Gameplay: Collecting XP Award Accolades

Section 1 shows pirates looting abandoned ruins

Shot: Player goes through jaws of a mysterious skeleton

Once I'm confident in the level's design I do a final pass for environmental storytelling.

Each mood board supports an implicit narrative
- Section 1: pirates looting abandoned ruins
- Section 2: A race in the mountains
- Section 3: A shooting gallery
I enjoy using composed shots to transition between skill challenges
- especially those that increase in difficulty
In UEFN, I used two styles of Props and Prefabs that pair well together
- Section 1 uses Wilds and Sunny Steps

Final shot reveals a throne surrounded by massive bones