> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://book.leveldesignbook.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://book.leveldesignbook.com/master.md).

# The Level Design Book

The Level Design Book gathers level design knowledge for 3D video games in an approachable, up-to-date, and critical way. It is for designers of all experience levels and game engines.

{% hint style="danger" %}
**This book is heavily under construction.** Structure may change a lot, and some pages may have little / no content yet.
{% endhint %}

## Recent updates

* November 2025: minor cleanup of [Tools](/appendix/tools.md) / [Trenchbroom](/appendix/tools/trenchbroom.md)
* January 2025: added [Recommended talks](/appendix/resources/talks.md)

## Read the book

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>What is level design?</strong></td><td>Start reading here!</td><td></td><td><a href="/introduction.md">What is level design</a></td><td><a href="https://1666186240-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LtVT8pJjInrrHVCovzy%2F-MaE772K0MViEPpgnix1%2F-MaE7KkewAoItNRLzmYC%2FLDB_AndrewYoder_doorproblem_foothold_mapcontrol.png?alt=media&amp;token=760dc20b-ee3d-407b-ae72-6db411790c6f">LDB_AndrewYoder_doorproblem_foothold_mapcontrol.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to make a level</strong></td><td>Overview of the process</td><td></td><td><a href="/process/overview.md">How to make a level</a></td><td><a href="https://1666186240-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LtVT8pJjInrrHVCovzy%2F-LtwoKZ58xOGNTn9g_Qy%2F-Ltwq-JcDDEN7UHH9OLR%2Funcharted4_blockout_em_schatz.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=fe61470c-d734-4540-ab8e-a83eb330da7d">uncharted4_blockout_em_schatz.jpg</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Studies</strong></td><td>Critical essays &#x26; design analysis of levels.</td><td></td><td><a href="/studies/overview.md">Book 3, Studies</a></td><td><a href="https://1666186240-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LtVT8pJjInrrHVCovzy%2Fuploads%2F71IOKqvDrGKYrwOpgaAA%2FLDB_DarkSouls_UndeadBurgDiagram1_path1-2.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=12284585-6d1e-4d0c-9e37-223372bf79f8">LDB_DarkSouls_UndeadBurgDiagram1_path1-2.jpg</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Tools</strong></td><td>List of level editors and moddable games</td><td></td><td><a href="/appendix/tools.md">Tools</a></td><td><a href="https://1666186240-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LtVT8pJjInrrHVCovzy%2F-M2UXP5KgHS8jIc1HmOj%2F-M2UpvIOHBKtFSvq_cGL%2FLDB_ValveHammerEditor35_ValveWiki.png?alt=media&amp;token=ffaee266-e14a-4007-af38-539663a2a5fa">LDB_ValveHammerEditor35_ValveWiki.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Assets &#x26; resources</strong></td><td>Links to free 2D/3D assets, info, other books, etc.</td><td></td><td><a href="/appendix/resources.md">Assets &amp; Resources</a></td><td><a href="https://1666186240-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LtVT8pJjInrrHVCovzy%2F-MbP02oa-qIyy5tjCgbG%2F-MbP6Rdo6HOddzlUrPo1%2FLDB_ModularGraybox_Transparent_JoelBurgess_Skyrim.png?alt=media&amp;token=4a1cd17d-c36a-4edd-bb5f-2c457385153c">LDB_ModularGraybox_Transparent_JoelBurgess_Skyrim.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Notes for educators</strong></td><td>Advice for teaching, how to use this book in class</td><td></td><td><a href="/learning/notes.md">Notes for educators</a></td><td><a href="https://1666186240-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LtVT8pJjInrrHVCovzy%2Fuploads%2FUZYFaPCUFEvOrKvMlMSe%2FLDB_PinupPhoto_SarahLeClerc_PrattArchitecture.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=4d449dba-77c8-41e5-9257-5d87ba76dba9">LDB_PinupPhoto_SarahLeClerc_PrattArchitecture.jpg</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

*This online book is free to read forever, under a* [*Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)*](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) *license. We will never sell or paywall access to this book. If you translate parts of this book, you may not sell copies or access to the translation. For more info, see our* [*license and copyright* ](/appendix/license.md)*page.*