Born Digital Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kazuya Shin; URL: https://www.borndigital.co.jp) will release "Getting Started with Level Design: 10 Principles of Game Design That Captivate Players" (author: Michael Salmond) in mid-August 2026.

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Whether you're just starting out or have struggled before, understanding the secrets behind AAA titles will transform how you see games—starting today. This book reveals the mechanics behind great game design and helps you level up your skills.

A theoretical, not intuitive, approach to crafting game experiences!

"I can build a game, but for some reason it ends up boring when actually played..."

"I place enemies and doors almost randomly, without clear purpose..."

"Players don't move as intended and just get lost..."

Behind every engaging game lies the invisible hand of "level design."

Level design is more than just "map creation." It's a technique that blends architecture, psychology, and user experience to guide and control player emotions.

This book serves as the perfect first step, presenting these often-complex theories in an accessible guide organized around "10 Principles of Level Design"—the clearest introduction available.

It clearly articulates the fundamental elements of what makes games fun—going even further back than existing books to answer the question: "What exactly is level design?"

Start today by moving beyond guesswork and learn to design levels that truly captivate players!

◼️ Recommended for:

・Indie game developers

・New level designers (designers, planners, background artists)

・Students aiming to enter the game industry

[About the Author]

Michael Salmond

Digital interaction designer, artist, and digital theorist. His works have been exhibited and published at events and online platforms both in Japan and internationally. With over 20 years of experience in digital media, he currently teaches interaction design and digital design at Florida Gulf Coast University in Florida.

Related URLs: https://stresspuppy.net https://www.fgcu.edu/directory/msalmond

Other Born Digital publications:

Born Digital website: https://www.borndigital.co.jp/

Born Digital Publishing Division on X: https://x.com/bd_publishing

Book Overview

Title

Getting Started with Level Design: 10 Principles of Game Design That Captivate Players

Price

4,950 JPY (4,500 JPY base price + 10% tax)

Publisher and Distributor

Born Digital Inc.

ISBN

978-4-86246-670-9

Total Pages

256 pages (tentative)

Size

B5 standard, full color

Release Date

Mid-August 2026

Author

Michael Salmond

Supervision

Hirofumi Motoyama

Pre-order on Amazon

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 書籍発売