LEVEL 7 [OMEGA PROTOCOL] is the latest game set within the world of LEVEL 7. As a standalone game with a different core rules set and play style than LEVEL 7 [ESCAPE] and LEVEL 7 [ESCAPE]: Lockdown, it was up to me to produce a new video tutorial specific to [OMEGA PROTOCOL].

With any tutorial video, planning and scripting are instrumental in getting the right footage to illustrate how the game works. We knew we wanted to show off the miniatures, cards, markers, and map tiles included in the game. There are always challenges with shooting 28mm figures and other small-scale objects, so it was necessary to take test shots to see what angles and setups would work best with our planned digital effects and that effectively support our game examples.

Because [OMEGA PROTOCOL] is filled with intense tactical firefights and a multitude of actions the commandos and aliens can perform, we combined footage with effects and overlays to illustrate how certain rules such as field of vision, weapon ranges, and line of sight will function. This kind of effects work really benefits from the use of storyboards and detailed shot lists, which help us keep it all together while we’re shooting the game components in action.

Once the main edit and graphics were complete, we added a variety of ambient music, TV static, gunfire, and creature sound effects to convey the creepy and unsettling atmosphere of the LEVEL 7 game line. One of my favorite stages of the process is the first viewing of a video after its thematic music and sound effects have been edited. It’s amazing how much a little creative sound can help accentuate a video’s overall mood.

This was a fun project to work on, and I enjoyed tackling the creative challenges of this video. Plus, I love any project that lets me animate gunfire.

Happy gaming!