{"id":2600,"date":"2025-08-23T07:46:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T07:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/?page_id=2600"},"modified":"2025-08-24T05:35:46","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T05:35:46","slug":"think-across","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/think-across\/","title":{"rendered":"Think Across"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-2600\" data-postid=\"2600\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-2600 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-css_id=\"601f7f3\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_601f7f3 tb_first tf_w\" data-tbfullwidthvideo=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/RrFAMUo25Hw?si=xE9g3e27rIirPQfI\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_41c9c27 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_1df147e  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">THINK ACROSS<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"601f7f3\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_601f7f3 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_41c9c27 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6e504d0  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">PROJECT INTRODUCTION<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p>For a Level Design Jam hosted by Steve Lee, Think Across was my first submission and participation to Steve\\&#8217;s Level Design Jams. Think Across was designed in mind for players to think and figure out the puzzle that is across the room from them. Inspired by Valve\\&#8217;s design pillars and philosophies for Portal 2, Think Across uses strong designs from Portal 2 itself to make sure players are familiar with puzzle concepts that help create unique solutions and ways to beat puzzles.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                            <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                            <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6e504d0  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">RESPONSIBILITES<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>An entry to the Level Design Jam 002 created by Steve Lee, I worked solo in creating a fun and unique Portal 2 level using the in-game Puzzle Editor and the Source Hammer Editor.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Designed<\/strong> &amp; <strong>Blocked<\/strong> out in the in-game 2D Puzzle Editor<\/li>\n<li><strong>Communicated<\/strong> with other level designers in the Level Design Discord<\/li>\n<li>Designed multiple <strong>Puzzles<\/strong> and as well as their introduction interactions<\/li>\n<li>Implemented the props and <strong>Art Assets<\/strong> to design the level\u2019s aesthetic<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6e504d0  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">PROJECT DETAILS<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>Source Engine Hammer Editor<\/li>\n<li>Solo Project<\/li>\n<li>Role: Level Designer<\/li>\n<li>Source 1 Engine<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"7835bdb\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_7835bdb tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_3521eaa first\">\n                    <!-- module gallery -->\n<div  class=\"module gallery module-gallery tb_d3707d3 layout-grid  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <div class=\"module-gallery-grid\" style=\"--gald:3;--galt:3;--galm:3\">\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/market5.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/market5-1024x576-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-807\" title=\"market5\" alt=\"market5\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/market4.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/market4-1024x576-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-806\" title=\"market4\" alt=\"market4\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/market3.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/market3-1024x576-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-805\" title=\"market3\" alt=\"market3\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Market2.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Market2-1024x576-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-804\" title=\"Market2\" alt=\"Market2\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/market1-2.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/market1-2-1024x576-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-803\" title=\"market1 2\" alt=\"market1 2\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n            <dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n            <dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n            <a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/mainmarketitchio.png\" data-rel=\"tb_d3707d3\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/mainmarketitchio-600x300.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-794\" title=\"mainmarketitchio\" alt=\"mainmarketitchio\"><\/a>            <\/dt>\n                    <\/dl>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module gallery -->        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_5a97e4e image-top   active-caption-hover auto_fullwidth tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/F1YfEGk.gif\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/F1YfEGk.gif\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" title=\"Think Across\" alt=\"Think Across\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">Puzzle Introduction Philosophy:<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>I wanted to introduce players to each puzzle in a unique way with laser reflection cubes, crushers, and turrets. I wanted to create an event or <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Communicate Visually<\/strong><\/span> to the players that there\u2019s a tool, a way to die, and a direction to look at by implementing prop assets that had a goal to communicate to the players.<\/li>\n<li>This philosophy was introduced and used throughout all of Portal 2 but in ways that made players think and made them <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Question<\/strong><\/span> and <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Think<\/strong><\/span> about how the tool can be used. In the clip to the left, you can see how I had a Laser Reflection cube drop and fall onto the ground and making the laser reflect and spin around, <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Communicating<\/strong><\/span> to the player that this is their first tool and introduction to the current puzzle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">Blockout Inside The Custom Puzzle Editor:<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>I started doing the <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Blockout<\/strong><\/span> inside the puzzle editor inside Portal 2. I designed the puzzles, scripted them to get a general idea of what I was working with and how to create something unique with the small number of tools I had. Once it was done in the puzzle editor, I then exported it into the Source Engine level editor known as Hammer. The puzzle editor made for Portal 2 from Valve is such an amazing introductory tool that I used to setup the puzzles, visually script them, and to learn more about how the engine interacts with certain scripts and events that occur throughout Portal 2.<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_5a97e4e image-top   auto_fullwidth tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/I4XGtba.gif\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/I4XGtba.gif\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" title=\"Think Across\" alt=\"Think Across\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w gutter-narrow col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b713039\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_aeeec0d first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_5a97e4e image-top   auto_fullwidth tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/BQfT4ZU.gif\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/BQfT4ZU.gif\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" title=\"Think Across\" alt=\"Think Across\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_92b4af1 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">Polishing & Scripting In The Hammer Editor:<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li>I implemented props and assets to <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Communicate to The Player<\/strong><\/span> more in a visual way by adding assets such as the broken bridge, or the turret emitting a laser across the platforms.<\/li>\n<li>I did a ton of <span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong>Visual Scripting<\/strong><\/span> inside the hammer editor, as exporting it from the puzzle editor broke a few things and I had to fix them. I even added and edited some of the systems inside the level to make it more relaxed for the engine when it was compiling and building it for submission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n        <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3f3a219  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <h3 class=\"module-title\">Think Across Gameplay Walkthrough<\/h3>    <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_b033246 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RrFAMUo25Hw?pip=1&#038;playsinline=1\" allow=\"accelerometer;encrypted-media;gyroscope;picture-in-picture;fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>THINK ACROSS PROJECT INTRODUCTION For a Level Design Jam hosted by Steve Lee, Think Across was my first submission and participation to Steve&#8217;s Level Design Jams. Think Across was designed in mind for players to think and figure out the puzzle that is across the room from them. Inspired by Valve&#8217;s design pillars and philosophies [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2600","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"<h3>THINK ACROSS<\/h3>\n<h3>PROJECT INTRODUCTION<\/h3> <p>For a Level Design Jam hosted by Steve Lee, Think Across was my first submission and participation to Steve\\'s Level Design Jams. Think Across was designed in mind for players to think and figure out the puzzle that is across the room from them. Inspired by Valve\\'s design pillars and philosophies for Portal 2, Think Across uses strong designs from Portal 2 itself to make sure players are familiar with puzzle concepts that help create unique solutions and ways to beat puzzles.<\/p>\n<h3>RESPONSIBILITES<\/h3> <ul> <li>An entry to the Level Design Jam 002 created by Steve Lee, I worked solo in creating a fun and unique Portal 2 level using the in-game Puzzle Editor and the Source Hammer Editor.<\/li> <li><strong>Designed<\/strong> &amp; <strong>Blocked<\/strong> out in the in-game 2D Puzzle Editor<\/li> <li><strong>Communicated<\/strong> with other level designers in the Level Design Discord<\/li> <li>Designed multiple <strong>Puzzles<\/strong> and as well as their introduction interactions<\/li> <li>Implemented the props and <strong>Art Assets<\/strong> to design the level\u2019s aesthetic<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>PROJECT DETAILS<\/h3> <ul> <li>Source Engine Hammer Editor<\/li> <li>Solo Project<\/li> <li>Role: Level Designer<\/li> <li>Source 1 Engine<\/li> <\/ul>\n[gallery ids=\\\"807,806,805,804,803,794\\\"]\n<a href=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/F1YfEGk.gif\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/F1YfEGk.gif\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" title=\"Think Across\" alt=\"Think Across\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Puzzle Introduction Philosophy:<\/h3> <ul> <li>I wanted to introduce players to each puzzle in a unique way with laser reflection cubes, crushers, and turrets. I wanted to create an event or <strong>Communicate Visually<\/strong> to the players that there\u2019s a tool, a way to die, and a direction to look at by implementing prop assets that had a goal to communicate to the players.<\/li> <li>This philosophy was introduced and used throughout all of Portal 2 but in ways that made players think and made them <strong>Question<\/strong> and <strong>Think<\/strong> about how the tool can be used. In the clip to the left, you can see how I had a Laser Reflection cube drop and fall onto the ground and making the laser reflect and spin around, <strong>Communicating<\/strong> to the player that this is their first tool and introduction to the current puzzle.<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Blockout Inside The Custom Puzzle Editor:<\/h3> <ul> <li>I started doing the <strong>Blockout<\/strong> inside the puzzle editor inside Portal 2. I designed the puzzles, scripted them to get a general idea of what I was working with and how to create something unique with the small number of tools I had. Once it was done in the puzzle editor, I then exported it into the Source Engine level editor known as Hammer. The puzzle editor made for Portal 2 from Valve is such an amazing introductory tool that I used to setup the puzzles, visually script them, and to learn more about how the engine interacts with certain scripts and events that occur throughout Portal 2.<\/li> <\/ul>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/I4XGtba.gif\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/I4XGtba.gif\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" title=\"Think Across\" alt=\"Think Across\"> <\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/BQfT4ZU.gif\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/BQfT4ZU.gif\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" title=\"Think Across\" alt=\"Think Across\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Polishing & Scripting In The Hammer Editor:<\/h3> <ul> <li>I implemented props and assets to <strong>Communicate to The Player<\/strong> more in a visual way by adding assets such as the broken bridge, or the turret emitting a laser across the platforms.<\/li> <li>I did a ton of <strong>Visual Scripting<\/strong> inside the hammer editor, as exporting it from the puzzle editor broke a few things and I had to fix them. I even added and edited some of the systems inside the level to make it more relaxed for the engine when it was compiling and building it for submission.<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Think Across Gameplay Walkthrough<\/h3>\n[embed]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RrFAMUo25Hw[\/embed]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2600","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2600"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2600\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2680,"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2600\/revisions\/2680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjsharkey.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}