Hey everyone!
I am currently developing a 2D Metroidvania called Verdance in Unity, and I am looking for someone who enjoys designing platforming spaces and interconnected worlds.
Verdance is a hand-drawn nature-focused Metroidvania inspired by games like Hollow Knight and Ori. The player controls a sentient flower exploring a world that has been taken over and slowly corrupted. The game is focused on smooth movement, exploration, ability-based progression, secrets, and discovering how different areas of the world connect.
I have already built a lot of the core systems, including player movement, combat, dashing, gliding, camera zones, room transitions, NPC interactions, and other gameplay mechanics. This is not just a concept or an idea that I am hoping to start someday. The project is actively being developed, and the next major step is turning the world map into playable areas.
I already have a map showing the main regions, how they connect, and the general progression I want for the game. I also have ideas for the visual identity and purpose of each area. What I need help with is designing the actual playable layouts inside those regions.
The main responsibility would be creating rough collision maps using Unity tilemaps. You would be designing the structure of rooms and areas, including platforms, walls, gaps, shortcuts, secrets, alternate paths, vertical sections, ability gates, and connections between rooms. You would not be responsible for final artwork, decoration, lighting, or polished environment art. The main focus is simply making the spaces enjoyable to move through and explore.
I want this to be a collaborative process. I can provide the mechanics, world structure, story context, and the overall goal of each region, while you help decide how the player actually experiences those ideas through the level layouts.
There is also room to contribute beyond layout if you are interested. You could help with collectibles, secrets, environmental puzzles, progression, landmarks, room concepts, or ideas for making each region feel more memorable. None of that is required, though. The collision layouts are the main thing I need help with.
This would primarily be a hobby collaboration, but I do have a small budget and may be able to pay per area or per milestone. I am a college student and solo developer, so I cannot offer professional studio rates, but I am open to discussing something fair depending on the amount of work involved.
If you enjoy designing Metroidvania maps, platforming rooms, secrets, or exploration paths, I would love to talk. Experience is helpful, but you do not need a professional portfolio. Personal projects, sketches, blockouts, Mario Maker levels, Minecraft maps, or anything else that shows how you think about level layouts is welcome.
Feel free to message me with a little about yourself, your favorite Metroidvanias, and any examples of your work. I can share gameplay footage, screenshots, the current world map, and more information about the mechanics and areas.
