What's that phrase for how Valve maps show you where to go next?

[TrevorMag]

What's that phrase Valve designers use for the way a map or level subtly guides you to where you need to go next? Using lighting and features to draw your eye automatically. Something like "hidden hand" or "unseen guide"??? I read about it somewhere, but <search_engine> can't seem to find it for me.

 

[Krynn72]

Game Design.

 

[Maestro]

What's that phrase Valve designers use for the way a map or level subtly guides you to where you need to go next? Using lighting and features to draw your eye automatically. Something like "hidden hand" or "unseen guide"??? I read about it somewhere, but <search_engine> can't seem to find it for me.

Well it's linear level design, but perhaps you could play through Episode 2 with dev commentary enabled, I remember them talking about that stuff a fair amount in it.

 

[Dr. House]

if you remember one word of the commentary where they said that then open the subtitle files of the commentaries with notepad and search for that word.

 

[Bad^Hat]

What a fantastic diagnosis!