Overview
Xibalba is a first-person horror exploration game set in the Mayan underworld. Players must navigate the mazes of the underworld while they solve puzzles and face enemies to succeed. The design of the game places a great emphasis on making sense of the layout of the map and figuring out the behaviors of the enemies.
As the design lead on the team, it was my role to invent the game loop, design the levels and conceptualize the puzzles. I also created many custom 3D assets, textures and animations for the game.
Level Design
I originally designed the maps with multiple paths to create a sense of freedom, but the underground setting wasn’t suitable for landmarks that would help in navigation. To fix this, I carved out a main route and guided players with strategically placed lights and asymmetrical level design.
To control progression, I implemented a nested path system by placing certain challenges behind locked gates that required solving puzzles or outsmarting enemies. This approach created a more complex and rewarding gameplay. It’s not just about finding keys—it’s about figuring out how everything connects.
Level layout
Greyboxing
Final level overview
Game Design
The innovation of Xibalba’s game design comes from how health is integrated into gameplay. Players acquire a dagger early on, and their health is displayed directly on it. They are expected to sacrifice their own blood to please the gods, and once they gain the light power, it starts draining health if overused. This mechanic forces players to manage their health as a resource, which allowed me to experiment with some interesting gameplay elements.
For example, I designed puzzles that require careful use of light and being strategic about what to spend health on to illuminate. I also utilized it to guide player attention more efficiently through environmental lighting, as they couldn’t simply rely on their light power like a limitless torch.
Based on these ideas, I designed the following core game loop:
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Navigate the darkness
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Manage your light power
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Solve puzzles to progress deeper into the dark
