Whiterun Farmhouse (Skyrim Mod)

Development Info​

Role: Level Designer
Team Size: Solo Project
Time: 1 Week
Tech: Skyrim Creation Kit
​Platform: PC - Steam Workshop
Genre: Open-World RPG (Player Housing Mod)

Responsibilities

  • Designed and build house layout, populated level with assets
  • Implement triggers for bookshelves, weapon cases, and weapon/shield plaques
  • Implement fast travel map location
  • Implement world connection between house interior door and exterior door

Mod Overview

Whiterun Farmhouse is a player home mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim which provides the player with a large farmhouse that includes a weapon room, armor room, cooking room, and bedroom loft with tons of storage. This was the first project I ever attempted as I was beginning to get into the idea of becoming a game developer. Since I was only a beginner at the time, creating a player home seemed to be one of the simplest things I could do with creating a mod. This allowed me to learn my way around a 3D game engine for the first time and gain some basic level design skills.

Design Process

Player-Centered Design
As for the design of the house, I wanted to design something that I myself would enjoy as a Skyrim player, as I knew there had to be other players that appreciate some of the same things as I do. I thought about the things that I like about player homes in Skyrim (e.g. showing off cool weapons and armor), and I made it a point to include those things. Since it was also supposed to be a farmhouse, I added a kitchen with a fire pit to add a warm feeling to the house and give it some authenticity. I also wanted to fit as much as I possibly could in a small space without it feeling too crammed, so I decided to include a loft for the bedroom right above the kitchen. I was able to utilize that space to create two rooms rather than creating an entire second floor. 

I put a lot of thought into not only how the interior of the house was going to be designed, but also the exterior and the placement of the house in relation the rest of the world. There were a few reasons as to why I placed the house where it is:
  1. It is right outside of the city of Whiterun so it is incredibly easy to find and easily accessible,
  2. The view from the front of the house is spectacular. As you walk out of the house you immediately see the entire city of Whiterun right in front of you, along with some huge mountains to the left and to the right of the city.
Picture
Loft w/ sleeping area
Picture
Exterior of Whiterun Farmhouse