OWL2 (Orbital Watch Launcher 2) is a 1-bit missile-defense arcade game for Playdate focused on tight feedback loops, legible visuals, and satisfying chain reactions.

Responsibilities

• Designed the core loop around scarce ammo and bonus shots
• Implemented gameplay and UI in Lua with a custom level system
• Iterated heavily based on live playtest sessions

Design Notes

• Strong emphasis on clarity on the Playdate’s small screen
• Inverted-color mode for outdoor visibility
• Difficulty ramps through missile speed, count, and pattern variety

Learnings

• How small changes in timing can dramatically affect perceived difficulty
• The importance of testing on real hardware rather than just the simulator