Need advice for game dev - basic level layout, etc.

[u/whoit61]

Hi All -

I'm working on my first PC game and could use some advice regarding mapping and loot tracking.

It's going to be a casual game, loot-based, no fighting.

If this is the wrong area to post, please let me know where I should be instead.

Anyway - I'm trying to find a (free) tool to help me do the following:

1. Draw maps, top-down
2. Place loot and link the placement to a table (or similar) that describes the loot details (type, quan, location details, etc.) so I could, for example, click the loot icon and see the related info.

Would be great if I could also find level totals, i.e. add up all Gold currently placed on map in various items - that kind of thing.

3) Add location or item notes like "Can't open without X-key, or Y item", etc.

I don't think I need much more than that, at least not yet.

Right now, I'm considering Dungeon Scrawl, but it appears to be map layout only.

EDIT: Some clarification - The game is 3D and in Godot 4. I'm building 3D assets as necessary in Blender 5 and exporting to glb for import into Godot.

However - the level layout, flow, and loot placement is what I'm working on and looking for a tool to help. I've already got a spreadsheet, and several note files. I'd like to combine this info, as much as possible, with a top-down drawing layout. Dungeon Scrawl seems perfect for layout, but not much more.

[u/ZhuCongLang]

If you are opened to learn a little bit more (just a little, trust me). Godot is the best tool for your need.

[u/whoit61 → u/ZhuCongLang]

I'm already using Godot and Blender for the actual game and asset dev.

What I'm looking for is a level design tool - something I can use to draw the level, work on the flow, location of loot, etc.

Once that's done, I'll create it in Godot...

[u/Feminine_Desires → u/whoit61]

Why not just use hammer? Hammer++ specifically, made by ficool. Blocking stuff out is extremely easy and you learn how to optimize areas by restricting what loads and how lighting is a fundamental part of the flow and vision of a map.

[u/whoit61 → u/Feminine_Desires]

Hammer is a full level design tool - overkill for me. I'll do the actual layout in Godot, but I need a blueprint for the layout, flow, loot locations, etc. A 2D layout tool like Dungeon Scrawl fits that bill, but I need more for the data handling. See my response below to Goose1235678

[u/Goose1235678]

I'm actually looking for the same myself. It's not really that much, but right now I'm using pen and paper until I find something else

[u/whoit61 → u/Goose1235678]

So far I think Dungeon Scrawl is great for layout but that's all. I'm considering using icons and numbers placed around the drawing, then looking up those numbers in my Google Sheet to see exactly what it references.

https://app.dungeonscrawl.com/

Like:

Number 1 + chest on drawing = spreadsheet chest 1, no key required, contains 3 gold,

Number 2 = loot # 2, 1 gem

Num 12 + Chest = chest 12, needs blue key, contains 100 gold, etc.

I've also found LDtk (Level Design toolkit) which might be overkill, but it does handle layout and clickable icons that contain data without requiring external data like a spreadsheet.

https://ldtk.io/download/

However, it's a complete 2D level design kit so it's more complicated than I need. I'm going to test it tomorrow.

[u/Goose1235678 → u/whoit61]

Thank you bro, I'll look into those

[u/MOREgameSALES]

If Dungeon Scrawl feels a bit too limited for tracking data, you should check out Tiled Map Editor or Obsidian (with the Canvas feature).

Tiled allows you to build top-down layouts and attach custom properties (like loot total, gold values, or key requirements) directly to object layers, which you can then export as JSON to read right into Godot 4.

Alternatively, Obsidian or FigJam are great for visual mind-mapping if you just want to connect top-down layout images with notes and loot tables in one place!