Mind's Abyss

About the Project

Minds Abyss is a cooperative platformer where players take on the roles of Nightmare and Dream as they journey through the depths of the mind. This project was my team's submission for the 7th CITM Game Jam, where I had the pleasure of working as the Lead Level Designer.

Designing levels in a fast-paced environment with a strict 7-day deadline required an efficient workflow. While the core mechanics for each player and map were being developed, I simultaneously worked on designing the tutorial level, which serves as both a narrative and technical introduction to the game. To achieve this, I created a basic blockout to discuss key design decisions with the team. Once reviewed, we moved on to the initial playtesting phase using the core mechanics.

Based on feedback, we iterated on several aspects, including character mobility, platform distances, camera positioning, and the introduction of techniques. After refining these elements, we reached a version we were satisfied with and proceeded to the next level.

This process was repeated for five additional levels, gradually introducing new movement mechanics, environmental puzzles, distinct enemies, and increasing challenges. Our goal was to ensure a steady difficulty curve, keeping players engaged and motivated. Finally, a full playtesting session was conducted across all levels to fine-tune the experience.

Key Design Elements

• Cooperative gameplay: Players must work together as Nightmare and Dream, leveraging their unique abilities to progress.
• Gradual difficulty curve: Levels are designed to progressively introduce new mechanics and challenges.
• Polished tutorial: The first level carefully teaches players the game’s mechanics while integrating narrative elements.
• Iterative design approach: Multiple playtesting sessions ensured tight controls and a refined gameplay experience.