Guide:Creating a level

From Fantastic Wiki

[edit] Tips

In order to create a level, you must have the full version of the game. Once you have purchased the game, you may create a new level via the "New Level" button in the main menu.

[edit] Style

• Center your levels so that they are in the middle.
• Avoid having your level jut underneath the top toolbar.
• Try to avoid the use of unneeded static rectangles, and resize them so that they are not larger than they need to be (i.e. past the arena boundary.)
• Make sure that dynamic rectangles and dynamic circles don't partially overlap static rectangles when they are not intended to be.
• Make a system as simple as possible to minimize the user waiting while it is in progress.(i.e. goal balls that ever so slowly roll into range.)
• Try to make your level beatable without the use of glitches and/or cheats, for newbie players might not know the cheats needed to beat the level.

[edit] Glitches

Where to put goal pieces.

• Goal objects should be entirely inside or entirely outside the build area, otherwise players will be able to move the goal object anywhere on the map due to a glitch.
  • On that note, goal objects should also not be close to build areas; if the round joint circles on a goal object are near a build area, the player may be able to grab it.
• Build areas and goal areas should not extend past the arena boundary, as this triggers a very annoying over-zoom bug.
• Using an excessive number of level objects will reduce the number of parts that players will be able to use to construct a solution, although attractive levels, that have a nice design/picture are popular too.

[edit] Solutions

• Be aware that a catapult may solve your level when you intended a different solution.
• Bundling many sticks together to create a very heavy object can solve a level in an unintended manner.
• Thin static rectangles and dynamic rectangles allow objects to be pushed through it given enough force — this can result in very unwanted solutions.
• Don't try to make a level that is beatable in only one way that is really complicated because many people might not come up with that complicated solution.

[edit] Guidelines

• Avoid stacking objects over each other (i.e. many dynamic rectangles over each other) — this is frowned upon.
• Don't forget to put goal objects.
• Make sure that the goal objects actually fit into the goal area provided.
• Remember to test your levels (if your level is too challenging for yourself, at least attempt to move the goal objects temporarily to test the level.)

[edit] Forum Links

Thread discussing what makes a good level