If this is your first time launching Terrorarium, you may be asking - "Well... How do I get into Maker Mode so I can start creating levels?"

Here's what the main menu of Terrorarium looks like. (As of 27/02/2020, Developer Version).



Click on 'Maker Mode'.



Next, choose 'New Level'



Here, you are presented with four options: Lumina Flora, Northern Mists, Torrid Wilds and Sunglow Grove. (As of 27/02/2020, Developer Version). These four options offer different level environments (or biomes) for you to experiment with. Choose your preferred option which suits the level idea you have in mind.



After you've gone through the loading screen, your new level should appear! In this example, I have chosen Sunglow Grove. At this stage, your level will consist of two main elements; The Gardener, and the Fairy Cake Cactus - both of which are necessary in every level.

Before you dive into the creative realm of Maker Mode in Terrorarium, it is essential that you understand the basic gameplay mechanics of the game. As aforementioned, when you create a new level, you are presented with two necessary game objects - The Gardener, and The Fairy Cake Cactus.



The Gardener is the character that your player will control in your creations. She is the master of the Moogu, and will possess the quantity of Moogu that you specify in the Moogu settings when the level begins.

The Gardener's objective is to reach the end of the level, which is generally wherever the Fairy Cake Cactus is placed within your creation. The Gardener must feed the Fairy Cake Cactus a specified amount of Moogu for it to drop its treasure, which The Gardener must collect to win the level.

Tip: Position The Gardener in an appropriate place within your level! This will be the starting position for your player when they play your level.



The Fairy Cake Cactus is essentially the 'ending' of your level, so position it in a place where you plan to end your level, and ensure that you keep this in mind during development.


Tip: Remember to specify the quantity of Moogu needed to feed the Fairy Cake Cactus using the slider located in the window at the bottom-right corner of the screen when selected!

This section will teach you each of the main UI components and how to use them correctly. Fortunately, the UI design in Terrorarium is pretty straightforward - so you can't get lost easily!




Located at the top-left corner of your screen, these three icons represent your general settings, Moogu settings, and a save function.

The General Settings menu (represented as the gear icon), looks like this:



Here, you have a few options located at the top of the menu: Save, Moogu Settings, Controls, Erase, and Exit (From left to right).



If you click on the Save icon, you will be prompted with two options; 'Save As', and 'Save'.



If this is the first time saving your level, choose 'Save As', otherwise, 'Save' is fine as it will overwrite your last saved version.



After selecting 'Save As', you will need to create a name for your level. Remember to give it a sensible name suited to your level!

Tip: Save regularly to ensure that you do not lose any important progress when developing!

The Moogu Settings menu (represented as the happy mushroom) looks like this:



Here, you have three Moogu options (As of 27/02/2020) to experiment within your level creations. Each Moogu has a description so you can gain an understanding of how they can be utilised in your creations.

You can toggle which Moogu you would like to be available in your level creation by simply clicking on the checkbox located next to the names.

You can also set the quantity of Moogu available to the player when they begin the level by using the slider located underneath the Moogu options.

Terrorarium can be played using keyboard & mouse, or a controller. In the controls menu, you can view the key/button bindings for each input respectively.



You can also view the key bindings for available options when an object is selected, or when using the path editor in Maker Mode.

The erase button (represented as the bin icon) allows you to clear all current assets placed in your level, so you can start from the beginning without creating a new level.



You will be prompted after selecting the erase button to ensure that you are aware of your decision.

As implied, when you select the exit button (represented as the door icon), you will exit your creation.



Be sure to save before you exit!

Located at the bottom-centre of your screen is the Asset selection menu. Here is where you will be spending most of your time when developing levels, so get used to it fast!



As you can see, there are various categories in which you can select assets from to use within your level. These include:

• Monsters
  
• Moogu Corpse
  
• Hazards
  
• Friendly Terrain
  
• Deciduous Trees
  
• Extremophiles
  
• Xerophiles
  
• Rock Formations
  
• Crystals
  
• Signs.

However, note that every category may not be available depending on your choice of biome. For example, the 'Torrid Wilds' biome has the 'Xerophiles' category, while the 'Lumina Flora' biome does not.



Pick a category and select an asset. For example, the 'Hypno Bulb' in the 'Monsters' category, and place it anywhere in your level. Select the 'Hypno Bulb' once again, and hit the 'Delete' or 'Backspace' key on your keyboard to delete a selected object. A selected object can be identified by a window at the bottom-right of your screen with a description of the selected object. Or, you may see the x, y and z axis representation of that object.

The monsters in Terrorarium are pretty unique! Fortunately as developers, we have a variation to experiment with. These include:

• Hypno Bulb
  
• Cyclone Spitter
  
• Firestorm Spitter
  
• Nightmare Strider
  
• Mature Tentasmile
  
• Blue Light Eater
  
• Hex Gullet
  
• Green Splatterfly
  
• Venus Tri-Trap
  
• Turret Bulb
  
• Meggacabbage
  
• Smash Grass.

Similarly to the categories of the Asset Selection menu, not all monsters may be available depending on your choice of biome. For example, the 'Firestorm Spitter' is available to use in the 'Torrid Wilds', but not in the 'Northern Mists' biome.

Tip: Experiment with each monster in your creations to understand their functionality. Use your imagination to come up with unique ways to provide challenges to the player!

Some monsters in Terrorarium allow you to create paths for them, allowing them to patrol a specific path created by you, the developer. Compatible monsters include: Nightmare Strider, Blue Light Eater, Hex Gullet, and Green Splatterfly.



To start creating a pathway for an eligible monster, select them in your level and click 'Create Path'.



Now, using the 'W,A,S,D' keys, move the monster where desired, and press 'Space' to create a pin. The monster will then travel to that pin from their starting position. You can create multiple pins, allowing you to create a complex pathway for your monsters.


The 'Moogu Corpse' is an important game object which can be used in your levels to provide The Gardener with extra Moogu to utilise in your creations. When The Gardener is in proximity of the Moogu Corpse with atleast one Moogu beckoned to her, the Moogu will be attracted to the Moogu Corpse and multiply.



You can adjust the amount of Moogu that will spawn from the Moogu Corpse in Maker Mode using the slider located in the window at the bottom-right corner of the screen when selected.

The 'Hazards' category allows you as a developer to bring some interest and complexity to your creations. The current Hazards consist of:

• Lava
  
• Water Pool
  
• Shroomovator
  
• Spikes
  
• Nitroglycerine Turnip

Hazards allow you as the developer to control how your player will behave when they play your level. For example, a large Lava pool will prevent the player from reaching areas that you wish to block to create interesting environments.

Yet again, the Hazards available to you might differ depending on your choice of biome. For example, Lava is available in the 'Torrid Wilds' biome, where it is not in the 'Northern Mists' biome.

Tip: Test each of the Hazards in your creations to gain an understanding of how they work and use them creatively in your levels!

Friendly terrain is, as described, friendly. These assets can be utilised to bring more opportunities to your player throughout your levels. For example, you could use the 'Ramp' to create an elevated platform in your level, allowing more room for adventure for your players.



Also included in the 'Friendly Terrain' category are breakable objects, such as the 'Destructible Brick'. These objects can be destroyed by The Gardener by throwing a specific amount of Moogu at it, which you can specify in Maker Mode using the slider located in the window at the bottom-right of the screen when selected.

Tip: Some 'Friendly Terrain' assets are stackable! Use this to your advantage to create structures, or even buildings in your levels!

These three categories are your best friend when it comes to decoration! Boasting a wide range of foliage and the like, these categories will allow you to create a beautiful environment that your player can enjoy whilst getting eaten by an abomination of plant monsters.



Most assets included in these categories have an interesting quality - they can be burnt! In further detail, this means that if Spicy Moogu in particular are available in your level, The Gardener can throw them at these assets and cause a fire - making the assets disappear. This can be used to your advantage to provide a blockade of sorts using these assets, then giving the player the opportunity to remove it using their knowledge of Moogu.

Tip: Make use of these categories to create forests, mazes, or just as decoration in your creations! The choice is yours!

The 'Rock Formations' category, alike the previous three categories mentioned, is completely defined by your creativity as you develop your creations.



Tip: You can use this category to produce elevated mountains, lava pits, or even as blockades in certain areas of your level! Once again, it is completely your choice how you make use of these.

The 'Crystals' category consists of various coloured crystal-rock formations which you can use to bring some contrast in colour to your creations.



Tip: Use crystals in your level creations in areas which are not occupied by important assets to bring some decoration to your level!

Currently only boasting one asset, the 'Signs' category consists of a sign with an arrow. The orientation of the arrow can be changed in Maker Mode using the slider located in the window at the bottom-right corner of the screen when selected.



Tip: Use Signs to portray information to your player, such as which direction they need to head. Or, if you're feeling particularly evil, why not use them to misguide your player into a deadly trap?

The 'Object Selection Tools' can be found at the bottom-left corner of your screen. They are not highlighted by default, unless you currently have an object in your level selected.




The Object Selection Tools are very useful when developing levels, especially when you require diversity between the objects you place (Such as size or orientation).

From top to bottom, your Object Selection Tools consist of:

• Toggle Path mode
  
• Scale Tool
  
• Rotate Tool
  
• Erase Tool

'Toggle Path mode' allows you to view the paths of your roaming monsters that you have created in your level.



When you enable Toggle Path mode, you can see the pathways of all monsters that you have created in your level. This can be used to ensure your monsters' paths are clear from bad collisions, such as walls, for example.

Whilst you have an object selected in Maker Mode, you can use the Scale Tool to modify the size of the selected object. This can be done using the slider provided in the Scale Tool. Alternatively, whilst an object is selected, hold the 'Left-Shift' key, and scroll using the middle mouse button.



Tip: Use the Scale Tool to create a sense of depth for the player by manipulating the sizes of objects. For example, using foliage of different sizes provides a more dense appearance.

The 'Rotate Tool' can be used when an object is selected to modify its orientation in your level. This can be used to place assets in a variety of ways, allowing free transformation of your objects. Alternatively, whilst an object is selected, scroll using the middle mouse button to rotate an object.



Tip: Use the Rotation Tool in 'asset-rich' areas, such as forests, bushes, etc to provide a more 'natural' appearance, instead of every asset placed using the same orientation.

Lastly, the Erase Tool is self-explanatory. It's the more formal option for those who do not want to press the delete key on their keyboard. If you press the Erase Tool while an object is selected, it will be deleted. Use it with caution.

Once you've placed some assets and would like to try out your new creation, hit the green play button located at the top-right corner of your screen. (Or, alternatively, the Tilde key on your keyboard).



Tip: Remember to always test your level during development to view it from the players perspective. (And to ensure that everything works!)

Finished experimenting with all of Terrorarium's wonderful assets and want to show off your creation to others? No problem.



From the Terrorarium main menu, choose 'Maker Mode', then 'My Saved Levels'.



Navigate to the level that you wish to publish, then select 'Publish'.



Give your level a nice description, then... Boom! You will be taken to the Steam workshop where you can finish editing, and publish your creation to the Terrorarium community. Congratulations, you have just published a level!

Thanks for reading my Terrorarium Maker Mode Guide! I hope this has helped you on your journey to becoming a level creator and sharing some awesome stuff with the community!

If you have any suggestions, or if this guide helped you, let me know below! I will try my best to update this guide as Terrorarium progresses, so update comments will be hugely appreciated.

Please note that the information provided in this guide, including images are subject to change as Terrorarium is developed. If any information is out of date, or incorrect please let me know.

If you want to check out my Terrorarium workshop submissions, go here: https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/id/moholty/myworkshopfiles/


HAPPY DEVELOPING!

Official Website: https://terrorarium.games/

How to Use Maker Mode Video Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BV3lKuT6XE&feature=youtu.be&t=11

Terrorarium Moogu Properties Table:

(Thanks to JamesAllen for creating this!)