GDC 2025 Session Viewer
Level Design Summit: 'Silent Hill 2': The Mystery of the Remake
Anna Oporska-Szybisz (Senior Level Designer, Bloober Team)
Pass Type: All Access Pass, Summits Pass - Get your pass now!
Track: Design
Format: Lecture
Vault Recording: TBD
Audience Level: All
When to say stop when creating a video game based on a well-known and beloved original? How can you tell the difference between what needs to be changed and what shouldn't be touched? Drawing on my experience working on "Silent Hill 2 Remake", participants will dive deep into the world of level creation for one of the most anticipated games of the year. Take a step-by-step look at how we approached level creation, what we looked for during development, and which elements we found most challenging. Get closer to the decision-making and environmental storytelling elements that can elevate your game with this behind-the-scenes presentation.
Takeaway
Participants can learn how to distinguish elements that are essential for a remake and should be as close to the original as possible from those that could benefit from some improvements. They will gain knowledge about the power of fan theory, the importance of symbolism, and discover the importance of understanding and incorporating appropriate environmental storytelling at their level design.
Intended Audience
Whether you're a game developer yourself, want to become one, or just work with these people in your day job, this talk will introduce you to the level design approach to working on a remake and provide key information about the important elements of it. A basic understanding of level design can help you see and understand how the approach presented in this talk can be easily transferred to creating a new IP.
