Designing level blockouts for mixed reality experiences
#Blocktober is a month-long celebration of level design in video games. Designers share early blockouts of their work and deliver a peek into how games evolve from concept to final product.
I’ve always enjoyed this time of year and would like to share my own experiences. However, I’d like to approach this topic from a slightly different perspective. Or depending on how you look at it, multiple perspectives…through the lens of a mixed reality (MR) experience!
So, how does the blockout process differ in MR?
In mixed reality, the process of creating level design blockouts takes on a whole new dimension. While traditional game design often relies on basic geometric representations to map out levels, mixed reality blockouts introduce an exciting blend of digital and physical layers.
These blockouts aren't just about crafting virtual landscapes; they're about integrating digital elements into real-world spaces. How can we harness the unique qualities of mixed reality to bring people together within those spaces? How can we adapt our physical space to foster connections, and create memorable, shared experiences?
This blockout process allows us to transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary, social hubs. So let’s talk about that! What are some of the considerations we can take before blocking out our mixed reality experiences?
1. Consider the diverse experiences of your audience.
When designing a mixed reality world, it's crucial to understand that no two individuals experience that world in the same way. People may be standing, sitting, or even moving within your mixed reality environment. As a designer, you must consider your target audience and how they will most likely engage within your space.
For example, if users are seated, you may want to incorporate features like virtual chairs or seating arrangements to encourage users to sit together, fostering a more relaxed and social environment. On the other hand, if users are standing and moving around, you might want to provide opportunities for collaborative tasks or activities that allow for more dynamic interactions.
It's challenging to design for everyone and everything, but making informed choices based on your audience's expected behaviours can greatly enhance the overall success of your space / blockout.
2. Consider the limitations and opportunities presented by the real world.
Embracing the limitations and constraints of the real world is a fundamental principle when crafting any mixed reality experience.
Oftentimes, the physical space within a design brief cannot be altered, and we must operate within the parameters we are given. In these scenarios, it’s our role to perceive these real-world constraints not as hindrances but as opportunities!
Everyday objects like doors, archways, or windows can be transformed into magical portals that transport users to different parts of the experience. These types of physical elements can serve as gateways to new digital realms, extending the footprint of your physical space. Alternatively, they could add a layer of wonder and excitement to the user journey.
Magnopus - Virtual office tour.
At Magnopus, we built an MR experience directly inside our LA office!
In this example, what appears to be an ordinary door in the physical world is transformed into a magical portal to some of our recent works.
Personally, some of my favourite types of physical spaces to transform are balconies, gangways or staircase landings. I like to consider these types of structures as vantage points within the mixed reality narrative. Users can virtually gaze upon awe-inspiring landscapes like the Grand Canyon or a bustling cityscape, creating breathtaking and immersive moments that merge the real and virtual worlds.
Magnopus - Virtual office tour. Utilising the gangway space to create a digital vantage point.
3. Use "Social Anchors" to foster interaction.
"Social anchors" are elements within your MR space that encourage and facilitate social interactions. These can be anything from a simple table where avatars can gather, to cosy furnished areas where users can virtually sit and chat. The key is to create spaces where users are actively looking at each other and experiencing things together.
For example, let’s imagine a mixed-reality space with a virtual campfire, where avatars can gather around, share stories, and interact. This type of social anchor fosters a sense of togetherness and shared experience in both worlds.
By strategically placing social anchors throughout your blockout, you can create natural meeting points and encourage users to connect and engage with each other.
Magnopus - Virtual office tour. Adding an interactive globe element to serve as our “Social Anchor”
4. Take inspiration from the real world.
The physical world has always been a rich source of inspiration for me when designing compelling digital spaces. Real-world architectural elements, from the layout of a bustling city square to the cosy corners of a coffee shop, offer invaluable insight into the fundamental aspects of building a social, mixed-reality space.
By studying the way structures and spaces have historically fostered human connection, we can adapt and translate some of these principles into the digital realm.
I often find that users will bring their preconceived notions and experiences of social spaces from the physical world into the mixed reality realm. As designers, our role is to augment and elevate these experiences rather than impose the rules of the physical world. This means creating spaces that feel familiar and intuitive, but also allow users to naturally extend their real-world social behaviours into the digital domain.
This approach allows us to create mixed reality environments that not only resonate with users on a deep, instinctual level but also offer a sense of continuity and familiarity, bridging the gap between the two layers.
5. Elevate the real world!
While it’s useful to take inspiration from the real world, it’s even more important to recognize that mixed reality is not constrained by the laws of physics or real-world limitations. So we should embrace this unique aspect of MR to elevate our blockouts even further.
For example, in a mixed reality world, our digital users can experience unusual perspectives, whether it’s by floating in the air or experiencing space as a giant looming over those in the physical world.
When blocking out our levels, we can take advantage of this fact to create novel and engaging social experiences.
6. Encourage co-presence.
To foster social interaction, our blockouts need to ensure that users can see and engage with one another effortlessly. This involves strategically positioning virtual elements in a way that encourages eye contact, facial expressions, and non-verbal communication.
Managing your lines of sight will greatly influence the placement of virtual objects, interactive elements, and user avatars within your space.
When users share a clear line of sight, they can engage in natural and intuitive interactions, just as they would in a physical social setting. It enhances the feeling of co-presence and helps users feel truly connected, despite the digital layer that separates them.
7. Don’t test in isolation!
The number of users involved in a playtest can have a profound impact on how we perceive a space or level blockout. As you begin to introduce more users to your playtests, the dynamics of a space can begin to change.
Your space will feel inherently more social when users can interact with one another, collaborating, competing, or simply engaging in spontaneous ways. This social aspect adds a layer of complexity to the design of mixed reality, as you must consider not only the interactions between users and the digital elements but also the interactions between the users themselves.
The dynamics and interactions within the space can become more intricate, opening up possibilities for diverse and engaging experiences. For example, a puzzle that's easily solvable by a single user may become more challenging and stimulating in a multiplayer context, where users must communicate and coordinate effectively across the realms of physical and digital to achieve the same goal.
Testing frequently with multiple users allows us to refine our blockouts and account for these different types of play, ensuring that the space remains enjoyable, regardless of the number of participants.
8. Simulate your real-world testing.
It’s important to playtest our spaces throughout the blockout process. However, physically testing an MR experience can often be a tedious and logistically challenging endeavour. To do it properly, you’ll need to be physically present in the space and require at least one calibrated device.
How can we expect to do this and rapidly iterate our blockouts at the same time? Simply put, it’s not possible. Especially if you’re working remotely! Playtests like this require a lot of planning and don’t happen as often as you’ll need them, so you’ll need to improvise.
Luckily, there are a few techniques we can employ to make testing the physical side of our MR experience more palatable. One technique I like to use is “MR in VR”. This is essentially where you simulate the physical aspects of your experience using virtual reality.
In virtual reality, we’re able to ask the right questions and get a good read on the physical aspects of our space. How does the space feel when our digital layers are added? How does it feel when I hold my AR device against this virtual element, what can I see?
Combine this technique with some multiplayer magic, and now you’re also simulating the social aspects of your space. How does this space or experience feel when multiple people are present? Do we feel connected? Is there enough space for everyone here? Etc.
Magnopus - Virtual office tour. How does this part of the experience look and feel on-site with an AR device?
Let’s simulate it in VR!
In the years to come, we can look forward to witnessing the evolution of mixed reality into a platform that not only entertains but connects us in novel and profound ways.
The path to enhanced social experiences is one paved with innovation and empathy, where designers hold the keys to shaping the world we want to share, one block at a time.
So, let's continue to design, innovate, and explore the frontiers of mixed reality, with an eye toward making our social interactions more meaningful, memorable, and connected. The journey has just begun, and the possibilities are endless.
See you next #Blocktober!
