Kebab it Up!

Chasing kebabs through Bucharest since 2018

A quirky runner where you chase your runaway kebab through Bucharest, featuring a full level editor and Steam Workshop integration.

Overview

A lighthearted runner where you chase your runaway kebab through the streets of Bucharest. Mixing simple controls with punishing difficulty, the game challenges players to strafe, jump, dash, and slide their way past parked Dacias, collapsing glass panes, low concrete walls, blinding crows, and trash-bag minefields. The project stood out not just for its absurd premise, but for its depth: it featured a full level editor, environment and daytime customization, and Steam Workshop integration, allowing players to create, share, and play endless community-made levels.

The Problem

As my first game, I wanted to build something small in scope but technically challenging. Runner games are simple on the surface, but I wanted to push myself by adding content creation tools, community features, and unique mechanics that made the game stand out.

The Solution

The game combined classic runner mechanics with an absurd Romanian setting, while the level editor and Workshop integration ensured replayability and community-driven creativity. This approach made a small game feel bigger than it was, and gave players ownership of the content.

Challenges & Learnings

The main challenge was balancing difficulty: the game became notorious for its punishing design, especially the 5 bonus winter levels. Another challenge was implementing a robust level editor with full Steam Workshop support, which was ambitious for a first published project.

Technical Details

Gameplay

Fast-paced runner mechanics with strafing, jumping, dashing, and sliding. Obstacles included parked Dacias, collapsing glass panes, blinding crows, and trash-bag minefields.

Level Editor

Fully featured in-game editor with environment (summer/winter), daytime (day, evening, night), and obstacle placement. Levels could be exported, shared, and published to Steam Workshop.

Steam Workshop Integration

Native Workshop support allowed players to upload and download levels seamlessly, extending replayability and creating a small but active player community.

Ending Sequence

A humorous finale where the main character steals a car to overtake the kebab, only to crash and fail as the kebab escapes on a plane, with a 'to be continued' tease.

Outcome & Impact

Despite its silly theme, Kebab it Up! became my milestone as a published game. It proved I could ship a full product, build ambitious systems like editors and Workshop support, and still have fun making something absolutely ridiculous.

My Role

Co-developer. I handled programming, main level design, level editor, and Workshop integration.

Play Kebab it Up!

The game is available on Steam, complete with a level editor and Workshop support.