SESSIONS

Level Flow: Is it Measurable?

Grand Ballroom 3
2:45 pm - 4:20 pm

Every designer strives to create levels that “flows nice” — spaces that feel intuitive, engaging, and immersive. But can that elusive sense of flow actually be quantified? This roundtable gathers level designers (and more!) and will explore how pacing, spatial composition, and player psychology contribute to flow. We’ll also discuss emerging ways to evaluate it — from heatmaps and telemetry to player testing and design heuristics. Together we’ll strife for a deeper understanding of what “flow” really means in the context of level design, how different people approach assessing it, and where the limits of measurement lie. The goal isn’t to define metrics, but to question whether numbers can truly capture the feel of a great level.’

Every designer strives to create levels that “flows nice” — spaces that feel intuitive, engaging, and immersive. But can that elusive sense of flow actually be quantified? This roundtable gathers level designers (and more!) and will explore how pacing, spatial composition, and player psychology contribute to flow. We’ll also discuss emerging ways to evaluate it — from heatmaps and telemetry to player testing and design heuristics. Together we’ll strife for a deeper understanding of what “flow” really means in the context of level design, how different people approach assessing it, and where the limits of measurement lie. The goal isn’t to define metrics, but to question whether numbers can truly capture the feel of a great level.’