All About LevelHead

Below is a series of tweets I wrote about LevelHead, a video game about playing and making platformer levels. It’s excellent, and the creators — Butterscotch Shenanigans — have a strong web presence including a blog and podcast about running a small software business. All great stuff.

I usually use my pinned tweet to show off my latest project, but I really need to talk about just how good #levelhead is, by @BScotchShenani. I’m just going to point out a few things that appeal to me so much as a #gamedev hobbyist.

1. Sharing levels uses a “karma” system, à la #ldjam. You play more of other people’s levels, and yours get played more. You can track stats! Two of my levels already had hundreds of plays, which is great feedback as a level designer.

2. The level editor offers a HUGE amount of control via its switch system. Camera controls, triggers, events — it can all be programmed. It’s seriously more of a platformer-game maker, not just a level maker.

3. The online features just WORK. The community is generally pushing out high quality (though hard!) levels, and it is easy to filter for the type of levels you want to play.

4. The game itself gets all the little details right. Coyote jumps, sticky friction — it’s all done just right. Presentation is top notch and hilarious. I would watch a television series of commercials for #levelhead.

Check out the trailer on YouTube

5. Want to hear smart people talk about #gamedev? The whole community led by @BScotchShenani is a gem I wish I’d found earlier. Start with their podcast for great discussion on game dev and professional development.

6. That’s it! LevelHead is on almost every platform (PC, Android, iOS, Switch, Xbox) and has cross-save. If you want to get more into level design and learn more about game dev, check these guys out: bscotch.net

Click here to see the original Twitter thread with embedded videos!

Rocco Panella, 2020