What it means to be truly linear

TheKingOfBoos · Postby **TheKingOfBoos** » Mon Sep 14, 2015 3:26 pm

I see the term linear get thrown around a lot and I'd like to define what linear actually means. Correct me if I'm wrong please. IMO, A 100% linear level involves EITHER A. No vertical movement beyond the default boundaries, and B. No backtracking and/or C. No split paths. Pick any 2 or 3, and you have a linear level.

Erik · Postby **Erik** » Mon Sep 14, 2015 3:28 pm

I think it means a level with no split paths, explorable stuff, backtracking, and other things like that.

TheKingOfBoos · Postby **TheKingOfBoos** » Mon Sep 14, 2015 3:30 pm

Ludwig von Koopa wrote:I think it means a level with no split paths, explorable stuff, backtracking, and other things like that.

I forgot about that. Thanks!

Taker · Postby **Taker** » Mon Sep 14, 2015 5:25 pm

Good definition, I'll try to make my levels more explorable in my episode.

MECHDRAGON777 · Postby **MECHDRAGON777** » Tue Sep 15, 2015 2:16 am

My idea if non-linear: look at my CC11 level! A level can be easily speed ran if it is linear!

h2643 · Postby **h2643** » Tue Sep 15, 2015 7:45 am

MECHDRAGON777 wrote:My idea if non-linear: look at my CC11 level! A level can be easily speed ran if it is linear!

There's a big difference between a linear level and a tedious maze. Heck, you couldn't even beat your own level by speed running it for 8 minutes!

Darkonius Mavakar · Postby **Darkonius Mavakar** » Tue Sep 15, 2015 8:14 am

Linear levels are basically all i do

Erik · Postby **Erik** » Tue Sep 15, 2015 8:33 am

Darkonius Mavakar wrote:Linear levels are basically all i do

yeah, Windy Woodtop by example

(he probably means the average level of M&L's Delightful Adventure)

Valtteri · Postby **Valtteri** » Tue Sep 15, 2015 8:55 am

The vast majority of all the levels in every official Mario platformer is linear. The Yoshi's Island series however has quite a lot of nonlinear levels.

HealthyMario · Postby **HealthyMario** » Tue Sep 15, 2015 9:36 am

Linear to me means that the level itself doesn't have any like alternative paths (as well as some sort of secret passages)along the way to the finish line.

HeroLinik · Postby **HeroLinik** » Tue Sep 15, 2015 12:31 pm

Simply put, a linear level has no real secrets, thus there is little to no backtracking, and it's just a straight run all the way to the end. Usually there is no vertical scrolling.

Mable · Postby **Mable** » Tue Sep 15, 2015 1:27 pm

Secrets don't really have to do anything with linear levels as shown by nintendo.

RudeGuy · Postby **RudeGuy** » Tue Sep 15, 2015 1:41 pm

Linik wrote:a linear level has no real secrets,

A linear level can have secrets. Just make them like those in SMB1, where there is a pipe that leads you forward in the level from where the entrance of the secret is. Also, linear levels just don't have exploration, so vertical scrolling can be there.

HeroLinik · Postby **HeroLinik** » Tue Sep 15, 2015 2:36 pm

RudeGuy07 wrote:
Linik wrote:a linear level has no real secrets,
A linear level can have secrets. Just make them like those in SMB1, where there is a pipe that leads you forward in the level from where the entrance of the secret is. Also, linear levels just don't have exploration, so vertical scrolling can be there.

What I meant was that there can still be secrets, but only at the level of things like hidden coin rooms, rather than a long route that requires you to hit a switch to unlock something secret and then backtrack back to where you were.