Defuse World Editor, a Tile-Based 2D Level Editor
Defuse World Editor is a 2D tile-based level editor for Defuse, a 2D puzzle/platformer I’m finishing up as of this writing.
The Editor supports a number of common features like layers, multiple block shapes (squares, rectangles, triangles, etc.), moving platforms (like elevators), parallax scrolling and object properties (setting the speed of a moving platform for example). Files are saved in a compressed XML format that allows for me to take advantage of the flexibility and ubiquity of XML while avoiding the bloat.
In addition to standard tile editing features the Editor manages level content. In Defuse one or more levels are grouped into “level packs”. A level pack is a zip archive of levels that allows me to group levels together in a logical manner. For example, I have a “tutorials” level pack to explain that the game and then move into “easy”, “less easy”, etc. level packs. Setting up level delivery in this way will also allow me to easy add new content to the game once it is finished.
Once a level pack has been created the Editor has another feature that allows users to upload the pack directly to the game’s server so the levels can be played immediately. This feature allows levels to be rapidly prototyped, tested and delivered as finished content in the game — all without the need for any additional tools.
The Defuse World Editor allows for the creation and editing of tile-based levels, the management of levels as level packs and the uploading of levels to the game server for testing and delivery to players. What started as a simple tool has developed quite a robust feature set in the span of a few months. The only major downside to the Editor right now is that it’s tied rather closely to the game it was created for, Defuse. Once Defuse is finished I plan to remedy this and distribute a renamed and general purpose Defuse World Editor.
Demo Vids
A quick and dirty demo showing off how quickly a simple level can be created an added to the game. Please note that the game lacks anything even remotely representing finished artwork in this video.
Defuse World Editor Demo from Sean Monahan on Vimeo.