The Desolation of Mordor is a DLC story expansion for Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
Creating the map for The Desolation of Mordor was an incredibly challenging yet rewarding experience. As the person responsible for this task, I had to consider a variety of factors that would impact the players' experience. The size and number of outposts, as well as the distance between them, play a critical role in the game's design.
Each outpost can be designed to include a variety of features that enhance the gameplay and provide a unique experience for players.
- An oasis can provide a sense of relief in the middle of a harsh desert environment.
- Ancient temples can offer unique challenges.
- Ruins can hold secrets and mysteries waiting to be uncovered.
- Plateaus can provide a strategic location to survey the surrounding environment.
- Gorges can offer cover from enemies.
- Narrow passages can force players into a bottleneck.
- The Dead Sea can be a hazardous area to navigate.
As a lead world designer, my primary responsibility was to create a captivating and immersive world for players. In order to achieve this, I approached the design of the game map with great thoughtfulness, taking into consideration a range of features that could enhance the overall player experience. I made sure that the world was diverse, exciting, and offered an experience that was truly unique.
Visual identity design
In addition to designing the map, I partnered with other designers charged with the strategic placement of missions, quests, and ambient life throughout the game. This required careful consideration and planning to provide players with a sense of progression and continuity throughout the game. Each mission was designed to be different from the last, with its own unique gameplay mechanics and challenges that would keep players engaged and motivated to continue playing.
