Features Page
How Does Level One Work?
The Type 1 Diabetes onboarding experience can be stressful and overwhelming – so we fixed it… with a video game. With over 40 levels (each one takes just 2-3 minutes to play), you’ll quickly get the hang of managing T1D.
Dose for Incoming Carbs (tap to give insulin)
Correct for Highs (tap more if blood sugar creeps up)
Manage Lows (sip juice whenever needed)
Founded by veteran game developers, Level Ex has spent years creating medical games to train doctors (and astronauts) to manage complex patient scenarios. Now, for the first time, they’re bringing that same level of gaming expertise… to patients.
Core Mechanics & Visual Appeal
Foods make their way along a conveyor belt toward the digestive system. Some foods take time to break down. Others, like juice, slip quickly through the ‘gears’ and into the bloodstream.
Early levels tell you exactly how much insulin to dose. Later on, you’ll figure it out from the carb count and carb ratio. Eventually you might eyeball an apple or a bowl of cereal and figure it out on your own.
Dose insulin about 10–15 minutes before the “meal” arrives. If you dose too early, you might go low. Too late, and your blood sugar will spike.
Insulin and glucose molecules swarm across the screen—visualizing what’s happening in your body.
Press and hold the insulin button to control the dose on your insulin pen. It enters the bloodstream over minutes and stays active for hours.
Once insulin hits a cell, the cell can start inhaling glucose.
Blood sugar spiked? Tap the insulin button again to correct. But be careful not to “stack” too much insulin at once.
When glucose dips below a safe threshold, simply tap the juice button. A small sip is often enough—too much sugar, and you’ll rebound high.
Level One keeps things calm – with a relaxing soundtrack and a supportive diabetes educator to guide you along the way - so you can learn without stress.
Chapters, Levels & Progression
Each chapter focuses on a key concept—carb counting, exercise, ketones, sick days, and more.
A friendly diabetes educator guides you through each new concept in a short tutorial.
After learning the basics, you'll tackle levels with random events (unplanned meals, changing insulin ratios) to hone your skills.
Earn 1–3 stars based on how well you manage blood sugar. But remember: perfection isn't the goal—just like in real life, you can earn top marks without being "in range" 100% of the time.
All the Important Concepts
Learn the right dose at the right time
Understand how different foods (liquids vs. solids) affect blood sugar
Move from easy counting to a more intuitive approach
Recognize when and how to correct highs without stacking insulin
Practice spotting lows and using small sips of juice
See how activity speeds up glucose absorption and insulin action
Avoid DKA by balancing insulin and carbs in tricky scenarios
See how these change during the day and from person to person
Why This Approach Works
- Relaxing & Soothing: Gentle visuals and low-pressure gameplay help you learn without panic.
- Simple Two-Button Interface: Playable entirely with your thumb—because diabetes is complicated enough already.
- Repetition & Visual Feedback: Every time you dose or sip juice, the game’s swarming particles show you the impact on blood sugar.
- Real-Life Relevance: Random events mirror those real-world surprises—like when someone accidentally sneaks a cookie without dosing.
