The place where the game happens — also called a "level" or "environment"
Background
The picture at the very back (sky, space, ocean) — the player CANNOT touch it
Foreground
Things at the front of the screen — usually the player and platforms
Layers
Game worlds are built in layers, like a sandwich — back layer to front layer
Platform
Something the player can stand on or walk on
Every game takes place in a world. The world sets the mood and tells the player what kind of game it is.
Here are some types of game worlds: Forest/Jungle — Green trees, vines, animals (e.g. Donkey Kong) Space — Stars, planets, dark sky (e.g. Among Us) City — Buildings, roads, cars (e.g. GTA, Spider-Man) Underground/Cave — Dark, rocks, lava, crystals (e.g. Minecraft caves) Fantasy Castle — Towers, knights, magic (e.g. Zelda, Hollow Knight) Ocean/Underwater — Water, fish, coral (e.g. Subnautica)
Game worlds are built in layers, like a sandwich. Look at this diagram:
Layer 4 (FRONT): Player + Enemies
Layer 3: Platforms + Ground
Layer 2: Decorations (trees, rocks, clouds)
Layer 1 (BACK): Background (sky, space, ocean)
The background is at the very back. The player is at the very front. Decorations go in the middle.
Talk to your partner: What type of world would your game be set in? Forest? Space? City? Why?
I can explain what layers are and name at least 3 types of game worlds.
2 Plan Your Game World
Before we start designing, let's plan your game world:
My Game World Type
Pick one: Forest, Space, City, Underground, Fantasy, Ocean, Other: _____
My game is set in a...
My Background
What is at the very back? e.g. Blue sky with clouds, Dark space with stars, Sunset over mountains
The background is...
My Ground / Platforms
What does the player walk on? e.g. Green grass, Stone blocks, Metal platforms, Sand
The player walks on...
My Decorations
What makes it look interesting? e.g. Trees, rocks, bushes, stars, lamps, crystals
I will add these decorations: 1. ___ 2. ___ 3. ___
I have planned my background, ground, and decorations.
3 Design Your Background in Canva
Open canva.com and log in.
Step 1: Click Create a design → Custom size → Type 1920 x 1080 px → Click Create new design.
A wide rectangle appears. This is the shape of a game screen (widescreen, like a TV).
Add your background colour or image:
Step 2: Click the canvas → Click the coloured square (top-left) → Choose a colour that matches your world. For example:
- Sky blue for a daytime outdoor scene
- Dark blue/black for space or night
- Dark green for underground
Your canvas is now the colour of your sky or background.
Alternative: Instead of a plain colour, click Elements on the left sidebar → Search for your world type (e.g. sky, space background, forest) → Click a picture you like → Resize it to fill the whole canvas by dragging the corners.
You now have a picture background instead of a plain colour.
Stuck choosing a background? Show this page to your teacher or SLSO. They can help you search for the right image.
I have a background that covers my whole canvas.
4 Add Ground and Platforms
Now add the ground — the surface the player walks on.
Step 1: Click Elements → Search for rectangle → Add a rectangle to the bottom of your canvas.
A rectangle shape appears on your design.
Step 2:Resize the rectangle so it stretches across the whole bottom of the screen. Make it about 1/5 of the screen height (not too tall, not too short).
You now have a "ground" at the bottom of your game world.
Step 3: Change the colour of the rectangle to match your ground (brown for dirt, green for grass, grey for stone).
Your ground now looks like real ground!
Add 2-3 platforms (floating rectangles the player can jump to):
Step 4: Add more rectangles above the ground. Make them shorter and smaller than the ground. Space them out so a player could jump between them.
Your game world now has platforms at different heights!
Show your screen to your partner. Ask them: "Could a player jump from the ground to these platforms? Are they too far apart or too close together?"
I have a ground at the bottom and at least 2 platforms above it.
5 Add Decorations
Decorations make your world look interesting and alive. The player cannot interact with decorations — they are just for looks.
Step 1: Click Elements → Search for decorations that match your world. Try these searches:
- Forest: tree, bush, mushroom, flower
- Space: star, planet, asteroid, rocket
- City: building, lamp, car, sign
- Cave: crystal, rock, gem, torchClick any element to add it to your canvas. Drag to move it. Pull corners to resize it.
Add at least 5 decorations to your game world. Mix big and small items. Place some on the ground, some in the air, some on platforms.
Think about layers:
- Big things (trees, buildings) go behind the platforms
- Small things (flowers, gems) go on top of the ground
- Clouds or stars go near the top with the background
Tip — Changing layers: Right-click on an element → Choose Send to back or Bring to front to control which things appear in front of others.
This lets you layer your game world properly — background behind everything, ground and decorations in front.
Rename your design: Click the title at the top and type L05 - Game World - [Your Name].
My game world has: a background, ground, 2+ platforms, and 5+ decorations. It looks like a real game level!