Context – Diorama & Level Design

1.1 Diorama Definition

Diorama – A scene demonstrating an environmental scene, focusing on assets in the image. This can be done through using models with a painted background, through a 2D piece focusing on the environment, reenactments for a museum piece, etc.

1.1 Diorama Mind Map

Above is a mind map for diorama, showing different types of dioramas. The brief for diorama is an environment piece and showing off specific assets in that environment. Dioramas can be used for different reasons as well, such as projects for school, museum pieces, or for personal leisure. Dioramas can also be used in gaming, to demonstrate level design layout for a game before adding any playable characters and additional content.

1.1 Diorama Moodboards

Dioramas can be used during the development of games. These can be used for the developers to get an idea of the space they have, where they can place certain assets, and if there is a determined path for the playable character to traverse. I do like the idea of using 3D modeling to create these dioramas, however, I don’t think I’d be able to produce one myself because of my lack of understanding and skill in modeling. However, they could give me an idea on how to make a diorama in 2D art form.

Some museums use models to replicate historic items, or to reenact events that have happened in history. Some of these were life-sized dioramas, whilst others are miniature models. The backgrounds would be painted, and the models would be added to the set to create the atmosphere that would’ve been around during this time. I personally like all the detail that goes into some of the diorama assets, and how well some of them show off the feeling that would’ve been in the environment during the time.

I decided to do a mood board centered around model railways, since they are technically dioramas as well, and it is more to my taste and interest. What I find most fascinating about model railways are the amount of detail that goes into everything. This goes for the buildings, to the more iconic assets, like the locomotives. They appear almost lifelike, and when blended together properly, with a lovely background to match it, to make the scenery appear as if it is a normal day, it stirs up the feel for what it could’ve been like back in the older days. Since we have the Western theme, I added some Western themed scenarios to the mood board, in hopes it could help me when it comes to creating my own diorama.

1.1 Diorama in Games Development

Dioramas can be used in game development to show off content or to test features and newer features that can be added in the future.

. Artistic Direction

Some games use dioramas so the developers can get a better understanding of the artistic direction the game is heading towards, such as the location and theme of the environment. In the above screenshot, is an image of the original Crash Bandicoot game prototype. Some of the diorama is already textured to get an idea on what the theme for the level would be. The level in the screenshot above is indicated to be a water themed level, so eventually, the rest of the diorama could be designed and textured to link in with the overall level.

. Testing

Dioramas can be used in the progress of testing features in games. This could be from testing the simple movement mechanics to the use of additional assets that are necessary in the game. The above screenshot is from Overwatch when it was during development. It wasn’t completely built up yet, and consisted mostly of white blocks and a standard enemy model, to test the features it has been given so far. As the game testing progresses, the dioramas could develop into actual level designs.

. Use as Level

Sometimes the use of dioramas could be intentional, as some game developers may use the concept to create levels. As seen above from the Captain Toad game, the levels are dioramas. It is a form of design that can be used deliberately to make a good game.