Puzzles to be explored but not solved: Designing ambiguous navigable worlds

How can we create worlds to be explored but do not fully understood? This talk discusses how to design game levels for experiences of exploration and curiosity by introducing spatial ambiguity. Focusing on the design of A MAZE and Freeplay nominated WORLD4, a multi-view exploration game where players explore a layered abstract world, we will chart out and navigate an alternative approach level design by reframing game levels as something to be scrutinised and understood. By presenting multiple design strategies designers can learn how to heighten player perception and vary navigation, seed uncertainty and encourage investigation, and subvert expectations to create surprise and foster interpretive readings. Through these insights attendees may build an understanding as to how enrich their own designs for exploratory and narrative player experiences.