Design 2D Platformer Levels

Overview

Remember the excitement of classic retro games like Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog? Now, imagine creating your own modern platformer games, with the same charm but with much more efficiency. You can streamline the creation of new 2D platformer level using Scenario. Simply leverage custom-trained AI models and a specific workflow, before integrating the generated elements into the game engine of your choice, like Unity.

By following these guidelines, game developers can efficiently create unique and visually appealing game levels while maintaining consistent structure and style.

Platformer stills

Getting Started

In this article, we will guide you through the following steps to build a platformer game:

1. Generating with a Custom Model

2. Creating Variants with the "Sketch“ Tool

3. Enhance the Final Images

In the step-by-step workflow below, we'll show you how to create a platformer level environment using one of Scenario’s Platform Models. This workflow can be adapted for use with other custom-trained models, though you might need to adjust the prompts accordingly.

Step 1: Generating and Iterating with a Model

Launch the Model

To start, we'll use a pre-created model called Watercolor Platformer Environments. This model is specifically designed to create beautiful platformer environments in a mellow watercolor style. You can find it under Platform Models in our model menu or by clicking this link.

Platformer stills

Once you're on the model info page, click Generate with This Model to access the image creation screen.

Set Up Your Prompt

The model used in this workflow is designed to automatically create platformer level environments. All you need to do is describe the environment in simple terms. You can use prompts such as:

a scifi space station

Time-traveling laboratory with whirring machinery and sparking portals

Fairytale mansion with trellises, pink blue and purple

A time traveling laboratory

Once you've crafted your prompts, set the image dimensions to 1824x1024 and begin generating images.

The more complex your prompt is, the more you may drift away from a platformer structure. If you are using your own alternative model, you may need to add such prompts as

platformer level

or

multiple platforms

Step 2: Creating Variants with the Sketch Tool

It is also possible to create variations of specific images that you wish to refine further. Simply drag and drop the image into the Reference Image tab, located beneath the Negative Prompt Box, or click on "Use as Reference."

When using a reference image the the default Image to Image setting, you will need to consider the image Influence. A higher influence will more closely resemble your reference image, and a lower image influence will resemble the overall color pattern and structure of the image without transferring specific features. For this workflow we recommend using an image influence between 15-30.

Adding a ladder

You can also further guide with your reference image by using the Sketch Tool. This allows you to add additional color blocking details, such as additional specifically placed platforms. A good influence range for the Sketch Tool in this workflow is 25-45.

Step 3: Enhance your image

Once you find an image you particularly like, click it and look for the Enhance button on the right side menu. In our example we have used the Standard Style and the Creative preset. There are different stylized settings and it is possible to add more or less detail to your final output depending on what you choose.

Upscale results

If you are finding that there are some extra character artifacts in your result, click  Advanced Settings. This will take you to the full Enhance tool. In this case, your result can benefit from adding negative prompts such as “characters” or “people”, to avoid additional characters being added during the enhance process.

Click Enhance and once the image is finished processing, download your image. You are now ready to deploy the platformer level in your favorite game development software.

Conclusion

Creating stunning games has become more attainable for studios of all sizes. With this workflow, you're well on your way to developing an exceptional Platformer experience. For more game-creation workflows, explore the links provided below.

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