Level Planning

Before blocking out the level, I started with designing the layout of the bunker to have a clear representation of the level. This is also useful for later use in establishing the level flow (how it feels to move around the level).

For the purpose of this project, I designed two floor plans. The first floor covers the main area of the bunker where the chosen key areas to be developed are located, including Hydroponics, Medical Bay, and the Command Centre. The second floor mainly covers the Living Quarters and is mostly made up of personal spaces (rooms) of survivors (The Pioneers).

The floor plans were designed in Adobe Express where I used various shapes and elements to illustrate the overall layout of the bunker and location of each key area. When I designed the layouts I considered the functionality of the rooms and where they are located. For example, a storage room would naturally be located close to a production room to facilitate moving goods (Hydroponics produce -> Storage Room). The Workshop room also benefits from being close to the Storage room to easily access the items or goods needed. Similarly, the Medical Bay is efficiently located in the proximity of the Laboratory. Command Centre, on the other hand, is best located at the heart of the bunker as it is the place from which all vital systems and operations are monitored and managed. Also, placing the Command room in the middle of the bunker ensures that it is easily accessible from all other areas.

Another aspect that I have considered was the possible expansions of the level. The yellow lines marked on the first floor plan can be used as links (entrance / exit) to different levels or areas such as new underground floors or access tunnels.