Fortnite: Advancement of the Ancients

Project Overview

As part of a 20-person team with diverse skill sets and backgrounds, we were tasked with creating a sequel, prequel, or DLC expansion for Fortnite. Our team chose to develop a top-down PvE cooperative base-defense game that incorporated scavenging and crafting mechanics.

As the Level Designer on the team, I was responsible for crafting immersive landscapes and bringing our game world to life. Throughout development I designed and whiteboxed the map, laying the foundation for the gameplay experience. By planning the level layout and player interactions, I aimed to ensure a seamless and engaging environment for our players.

This project provided invaluable hands-on experience in level design, teamwork, and project management. Collaborating with peers — each with their own strengths and perspectives — strengthened my ability to adapt and communicate effectively in a diverse group. I learned to balance creativity with technical constraints, creating an enjoyable experience while considering gameplay mechanics and limitations.

My Role: Level Designer

Map design and whiteboxing

Created immersive landscapes
Designed strategic gameplay spaces
Balanced player interactions
Implemented base-defense mechanics

Level layout planning

Strategic resource placement
Enemy spawn points and paths
Player navigation routes
Base-building locations

Development Process

Initial planning — collaborated with the team, established design goals, defined gameplay mechanics, created level-design documents
Whiteboxing — basic layout implementation, testing player flow, iterating on feedback, optimising gameplay spaces
Integration — working with other team members, implementing mechanics, balancing resource distribution, fine-tuning the player experience