Joystiq

BattleBlock Theater to spotlight community-created levels

Mike Suszek — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST

The Behemoth recently detailed its plans to feature community-created levels in its upcoming platformer, BattleBlock Theater. The game will include a "Furbottom's Features" section, which will spotlight hand-picked user-created levels in the solo, co-op and arena playlists. Players will have added incentive to play these levels, since strawberries in featured levels will be replaced with gems that can be spent in the BattleBlock Theater Gift Shop.

We've embedded a trailer that shows off some of the levels created by BattleBlock Theater's beta testers above. These levels may not be included in the full game, which is set to launch this Spring.

BattleBlock Theater to spotlight community-created levels originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Learn more about Battleblock Theater's level editor

Mike Schramm — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:00:00 EST

The Behemoth teased us with a PAX reveal of Battleblock Theater's level editor, and the Castle Crashers developer didn't disappoint. There's a full-featured level editor included with the game, and it's the same one the designers have been using to make their own levels, controller and all.

Every type of block in the game is available to be placed by you within the editor, and you can color them however you like. Each level obviously needs an entrance and an exit, but what happens in between is up to you. You can choose any of the game's modes (and can even combine some of them), lay out resources to collect, and even build little Rube Goldberg devices with the various available components. One example shown to us used boulders and timed pneumatic devices pushing them onto switches, which created a sort of timed trap for characters to navigate. Extra creative users will come up with even more complex and varied setups, we suspect.

Even if you're not looking to create levels, The Behemoth has you covered. To start with, users will be able to share and send levels to each other. There's a "Level Lobby" in the game's main menu, where you can download playlists of created levels, see feeds for highest played and Behemoth favorites, and play and rate all of the levels you can find. Levels do need to be downloaded locally to be played, but they're tiny, so bandwidth and storage shouldn't be a problem.

We'll have to see how the level sharing system actually works post-launch to see how prominent it becomes (Castle Crashers, of course, suffered from connectivity problems during its release, which made playing multiplayer tougher than it should have been). But The Behemoth has created a powerful editor here, and it'll be fascinating, as with most user-generated content systems, to see what players can do with it.

Learn more about Battleblock Theater's level editor originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battleblock Theater level editor lets you set up the blocks for battle

JC Fletcher — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST

It's PAX once again, so it's time for more news on Battleblock Theater, the Behemoth game that, for the time being, only exists at the expo. The latest on the party combat game is the level editor, which allows users to design, upload, and download new levels using the same "super easy" tools The Behemoth uses to make the story and arena levels.

Battleblock is on display at the show, so we look forward to hearing about the one guy who holds up the line to finish his intricate dungeon design.

Battleblock Theater level editor lets you set up the blocks for battle originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You must watch Jon Mak build this super hot Sound Shapes jam

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EST

Could you refer to Jon Mak's on-the-fly Sound Shapes level as a "club banger?" Why yes, yes you could. We'd even go so far as to say you should refer to it that way, but you may just call it "that really impressive thing that convinced me to buy Sound Shapes."

You must watch Jon Mak build this super hot Sound Shapes jam originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is how you'll edit Portal 2 levels

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:45:00 EST

Portal 2's level-editing DLC, the Perpetual Testing Initiative, will push the boundaries of physics and patience on May 8 for PC and Mac, and the above video shows us exactly how. It appears prolific level creator TopHATTwaffle originally uploaded the video but took it down at Valve's request, and it has since been uploaded by another, less remorseful Internet denizen.

The walkthrough shows a blank map as it switches between edit and playthrough modes, and the ease of creating unique, new Portal 2 levels. The only thing we think it's missing is the vocal stylings of J.K. Simmons, but we'll just content ourselves with drinking whisky and yelling at the screen every now and then.

This is how you'll edit Portal 2 levels originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trials Evolution track ranking bug resolved

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST

An error in Trials Evolution's user-generated track ranking algorithm has been fixed, according to Eurogamer. The error, which resulted in newly created high-ranking tracks being promoted at the expense of older, equally awesome tracks has been corrected by making lifetime user ratings part of the calculation. This means that, old or new, the best user-created content should float to the top.

We tried our hand at creating a Trials Evolution course, once. The idea was that the player would ride a motorcycle down an infinite ramp, gaining speed as they did so until they went so fast that they traveled back in time to the very creation of the universe, where they would instantly asphyxiate in the unforgiving void of space. Sadly, no one on staff had the time, patience or motivation to actually make any of that stuff happen, so what we ended up with was the Trials Evolution equivalent of a macaroni doodle.

Trials Evolution track ranking bug resolved originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii U getting Toki Tori 2 digitally, says Two Tribes

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST

You may not have played Toki Tori on the Nintendo Wii when it helped launch the WiiWare digital distribution service back in 2008, but Two Tribes is hoping you'll give its sequel a shot when it arrives on Wii U. The studio announced intentions to bring the sequel to Nintendo's next console in a blog post this morning, citing the recent information dump on the Wii U's internet connectivity as its reason for signing on -- Two Tribes is dedicated to releasing Toki Tori 2 digitally, it would seem!

"The 3DS eShop has been a big step in the right direction compared to the Wii and DSi online shops, and it would be strange if they did not at least match it's functionality on Wii U. Since Toki Tori 2 is designed to be a downloadable title, these things are vital to making the correct choice of which platforms to develop for," the post reads. And though Two Tribes has ideas for how best to use the WiiPad beyond its bevy of buttons and triggers, the concept sounds very early in the production stages (if even there).

The company does promise to offer a WiiPad-only option for playing the game, should you be simply unable to stop playing during sojourns to the water closet. It also outlined hopes for a level editor. All of this is of course highly nebulous considering that the Wii U has yet to receive even a release date, so don't go getting your hopes too high just yet.

Wii U getting Toki Tori 2 digitally, says Two Tribes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Meat Boy level editor video tutorial will teach you a thing or two

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:00:00 EST

Though you might expect the Super Meat Boy level editor to be a complete breeze -- put some blocks there, fifty saws there, and done! -- it's actually a pretty intricate authoring tool. Check out the six videos after the jump for an hour-long tutorial on how to make your very own deathtraps.

Continue reading Super Meat Boy level editor video tutorial will teach you a thing or two

Super Meat Boy level editor video tutorial will teach you a thing or two originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Meat Boy level editor released, 'FINALLY'

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:40:00 EST

"We always wanted to release a basic level editor" for Super Meat Boy, Team Meat's Edmund McMillen writes in an emailed announcement, "but the idea started to balloon when we decided to buy servers and program a fully automated level portal (Super Meat World) to support these levels as a bonus chapter for the PC version." Needless to say, it's taken a while for the two-man team to complete the free add-on. But ...

The level editor is "FINALLY out on Steam!" McMillen rejoiced.

Technically, the editor is in beta release -- "and probably will be for a very long time," McMillen notes in a blog post -- so users may encounter "minor issues." Still, with the exception of boss battles and warp zones, the editor can be used to create "anything you see in game," and even package such torturous levels into a complete chapter of pain.

"So think of this as a thank you to all the awesome fans who sent us cool shit, nice emails and created amazing levels with devmode," the ever-irreverent McMillen concludes in his post, "if you bitched us out because the free level editor was delayed, you should probably not update your game and burn in hell."

McMillen added in his email that Super Meat World would be updated next week to add a few "missing" features and fix some bugs with the editor. "After that we will be closing the book on the PC version, porting SMB to Mac and swiftly moving on to game #2."

Super Meat Boy level editor released, 'FINALLY' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 May 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New 'Humble Frozenbyte Bundle' bonuses unlocked

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

Through the power of your awesome taste in games, Frozenbyte's "Humble Bundle" has raised more than $700,000 (the average pay-want-you-want purchase price is currently a few cents under $5). As a result of this feat, the studio has released an early, playable demo of its forthcoming game, Splot. The full game will be arriving in "the next 2-3 months" and is already included as a "pre-order bonus" for purchasers of the bundle.

Moreover, Frozenbyte has added the Trine level editor to the set, as well as the source codes for Shadowgrounds and Shadowgrounds: Survivor. If you've yet to get in on the bundle, you've still got another four-ish days left to grab it. We hear it's just the right size for an Easter basket.

New 'Humble Frozenbyte Bundle' bonuses unlocked originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Super Meat Boy hub world, level editor and portal coming next month

David Hinkle — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:20:00 EST

While we already knew a level editor was on the way for the PC version of Super Meat Boy, news that it will also add an online portal for the custom levels is, um, news! Additionally, both the PC and Xbox Live Arcade versions will soon be updated with a new hub-world chapter, which will be home to new levels uploaded by Team Meat. All the new content is expected to be released mid-January, according to the developer.

The PC-only online portal will catalog all user-created maps (created with the level editor, of course) and allow players to rate them and sort them based on a variety of criteria, says Team Meat. As for the new hub-world chapter, dubbed "Super Meat World," it will unlock as a destination prior to the first chapter (The Forest) on the chapter select screen once the player has collected 20 bandages.

"Super Meat World" will behave a bit differently on each platform. On both XBLA and PC, this world will become the default destination for all new levels uploaded to the game by Team Meat (but not "Teh Internets" world, which will continue to reside in its own spot and even get some additional level love via this impending update) and will gain levels designed specifically for some of the hidden characters in the game. Also, Team Meat says that while a level editor won't be gracing XBLA, it will upload "all compatible user made level packs that we deem 'awesome'" to the XBLA's "Teh Internets" world.

On the PC, "Super Meat World" gets an additional exclusive feature: an "Enter the Unknown" area which will feature a dynamic playlist of random, highly-ranked, custom maps made by the community each time you play. Players will need only to choose a level of difficulty at the outset on PC, then they'll be thrust into multiple levels that meet both the rating prerequisite and toughness level chosen.

New Super Meat Boy hub world, level editor and portal coming next month originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joe Danger level editor caught on video

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:00:00 EST

Hello Games' Joe Danger is nearing its PSN release. Just in case you had forgotten about the charming platform-racer, a few videos have sprung up on YouTube, showing the game's extensive level editor in action. For PS3 owners, the interface will draw up instant comparisons to LittleBigPlanet, with objects selected from a Toolbox and placed on one of the game's three layers.

In this video (placed after the break), we see a devious creator placing some rather dastardly death traps for poor ol' Joe. You will see him get killed by running into spikes, exploded by some bombs, bounced into spikes, and backflipping off a conveyor belt of doom. Thankfully for Joe, though, there's a happy ending to this trial of misery.

[Via IndieGames.com]

Gallery: Joe Danger

Continue reading Joe Danger level editor caught on video

Joe Danger level editor caught on video originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 May 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planet Minigolf lets you play, create, share

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST

ZEN Studios' upcoming PSN exclusive minigolf game is joining the play, create, share bandwagon. This trailer showcases the course creation and sharing system that lets you create your own courses in minutes. With this feature, Planet Minigolf will become the latest in a growing lineup of PSN games that allow user-generated content, including Joe Danger, Cuboid, and Gravity Crash.

Media Molecule must be so proud.

Planet Minigolf lets you play, create, share originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ModNation Racers trailer introduces devastating props

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EST

While what we've seen of the track editor in ModNation Racers has been impressive so far. But it's always lacked a certain amount of ... carnage. It looks like that's about to change, as this new trailer from the PlayStation.Blog introduces some truly wacky props. Creators will be able to place devices like the Wall of Flame, the Turntable of Destruction, and the Devastator. Oh, and did we mention there are giant camels?

With launchers, ramps and other lethal traps, ModNation Racers just got a lot more interesting. With these new tools on hand, we hope to see someone create a devious track that finally bests Rainbow Road from the original Super Mario Kart. Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading ModNation Racers trailer introduces devastating props

ModNation Racers trailer introduces devastating props originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hackers create dueling New Super Mario Bros. Wii level editors

JC Fletcher — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST

Well, that didn't take long. On the very day that New Super Mario Bros. Wii was released in North America, hackers Virus and Vash released Tanooki, a program that allows users to design their own levels in place of the game's existing locales. Coder Treeki also announced Reggie!, yet another level editor for New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Whichever wins, everybody wins.

Of course, these programs, while awesome, are pretty impractical for most of us, given that they run on a computer and thus work only with emulation. But, we must reiterate, these are awesome, and we appreciate the efforts of hobbyists everywhere who immediately make games better with their work. Check out example videos of both (with some NSFW language in annotations) after the break.

[Via Gemaga]

Continue reading Hackers create dueling New Super Mario Bros. Wii level editors

Hackers create dueling New Super Mario Bros. Wii level editors originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSN-exclusive Under Siege built entirely with in-game editor

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST

We haven't heard much from Under Siege in quite some time. The real time strategy game may be a download-only game, but that's not stopping the development team from implementing a LBP-esque level editor. To ensure the in-game editor works as well as it should, the team has created the entire game using the tool. "Having built all our levels using a PS3 controller led to constant improvements in both the interface and the control scheme so that our level artists wouldn't feel constrained by the input device," the development blog notes.

With the release of the game's first trailer (above), it's clear Under Siege is getting closer to release. Expect much more on it in the coming months.

[Thanks, Marcus N.!]

PSN-exclusive Under Siege built entirely with in-game editor originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA: Boom Blox always meant for Wii, Bash Party built with game's level creator

David Hinkle — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:00:00 EST

Some things in this world were just meant for one another. Peanut butter and jelly, America and gladiators, and the Wiimote and Nunchuk are just a few of these things, but now EA producer Amir Rahimi would like to toss Boom Blox and the Wii into this prestigious club.

In speaking with Ars Technica, Rahimi says that "Boom Blox is a Wii game through and through." He says EA always had the Wii in mind and that the team never considered the possibility of bringing it to another console. If it were to make its way onto another platform, Rahimi says EA would have to "significantly reconfigure and redesign the core mechanics, but currently we have no plans to do that."

As for sequel Boom Blox Bash Party, Rahimi noted something interesting. Speaking about the improved level creation, he said that the team built the level editor first this time, and used it to create every level in the game, whereas in the first title, the team built the game and level editor simultaneously. This means that the exact tools available to gamers when the title ships will be those the team used to create Boom Blox Bash Party. How cool is that?

Oh, and if you're worried about all of your Wii's memory (or SD card) being taken up by huge files when downloading custom maps, don't. Rahimi says that each file size will only be in the kilobytes, allowing folks to download plenty of maps quickly and without pain. You'll even be able to sample them in the game before committing them to your memory, so you can try before you don't buy. You know, because it's all free.

[Via Go Nintendo]

EA: Boom Blox always meant for Wii, Bash Party built with game's level creator originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Left 4 Dead Authoring Tools released to undead masses

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:30:00 EST

"Sure, the rooftop portion of No Mercy is intense," you often explained to your Left 4 Dead-playing cohorts, "but you know what it needs? More Tanks. Eight or nine more, at least." Your friends attempt to dissuade your mad-eyed vision, but ultimately find it futile -- after all, it's not like you have the ability to summon these hulking meatwalls from the ether, right? ... right?

Tremble in fear, zombocalypse Survivors -- Valve just released the Left 4 Dead Authoring Tools it used to create the core campaigns to the general public. Using these grim mechanisms, players are able to "create your own campaign maps, character skins, 3D models, sound effects, and music and load them into the game." Best of all, Valve will be updating the matchmaking system to include player-made levels in the coming weeks. If your interest in L4D is waning, brace yourself -- the game's getting a huge booster shot.

[Thanks, Dan!]

Left 4 Dead Authoring Tools released to undead masses originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 May 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Braid PC has hidden bonus: a level editor

Xav de Matos — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST

Jonathan Blow has revealed that message board rumblings of a hidden level editor within the PC version of his award-winning independent title, Braid, are true. Replying to chatter on the Steam forum [Via Destructoid], Blow revealed documentation for the editor would be released following an update to the game (which went live late yesterday) and "when more people have played/finished the game."

In the meantime, initial editor information has been posted by Blow on the official Braid blog to help gamers get started.The Braid PC level editor will allow gamers to extend the life of the puzzle title, with the potential to add "up to [another] full game," Blow wrote. The developer/survivalist also revealed future plans to add image importing from Photoshop into the game, allowing aspiring Braid designers to put their own graphics into their creations.

Gallery: Braid

[Via ShackNews]

Braid PC has hidden bonus: a level editor originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eternity's Child will include level editor

Candace Savino — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, WiiWare

According to Luc Bernard, creator of the upcoming WiiWare title Eternity's Child, we can expect some sort of level editor to be included in the game. While he doesn't get too specific on the details, Bernard does mention that players will be able to decide where enemies spawn, where the platforms go, and they can "even write curse words" with the tools given. Beyond that, Bernard plans to make a website where people can upload their levels and vote for their favorites.

We know that a lot of you enjoy building your own stages, and things like that do tend to add extra playing hours onto a game. Does this addition make you more interested in Eternity's Child, then?

Gallery: Eternity's Child

[Via GoNintendo]

Eternity's Child will include level editor originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Echochrome includes a level editor

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: echochrome

We'll be getting our hands on echochrome tomorrow. However, early previews suggest that the Escher-inspired puzzle game includes a level editor, so that players can craft their own diabolical designs. The interface, we assume, is similar to the original PC program that this upcoming game is based on. (Check it out here.)

While the game will hit both PSP and PS3 in Japan, MTV has learned that the game is only confirmed as a PSN (for PS3) download in the US. Hopefully, the kind folks at Sony will realize that a downloadable PSP game through the PC Store will be ideal for handheld owners. Stay tuned for more.

Echochrome includes a level editor originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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