Editing Belloq

{{IB-Level
 |image      = Belloq.png
 |id         = 55610687
 |creator    = [[Pennutoh]] (host); Sminx (publisher)
;Contributors
Onnikonna, Lipz, Skidel, Salamander, YakobNugget, Altin, Juhou, Voltex, Nico99, Epsilonic, EnZore, SlimJim, JaoDay, and Unigeny
 |verifier   = [[BrianTheBurger]]
 |created    = [[Update 2.1]]
 |updated    = [[Update 2.2]]
 |difficulty = {{ExtremeDemon}}
 |stars      = 10
 |length     = 2m 21s (XL)
 |objects    = 212,626
 |copytype   = No password
 |downloads  = 348K
 |likes      = 15.4K
 |rating     = Featured
 |artist     = [https://boomkitty.newgrounds.com/ Boom Kitty]
 |music      = [https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/771703 Holy War]
 |musicid    = 771703
}}
'''Belloq''' is a [[Update 2.1|2.1]] Extreme Demon mega-collaboration level hosted by [[Pennutoh]], verified by [[BrianTheBurger]], and published by Sminx on 19 May 2019.<ref name="Verification">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7e3lRUBme8</ref> It is a desert-themed level with a yellow and blue colour scheme. The gameplay emphasises click-sync, with decoration themed around Egyptian culture.

An unnamed official sequel known as Totti (formerly Aurelius) was planned and originally cancelled by Pennutoh. Zeptoz and Juhou revived the level, though it is currently an unofficial sequel.<ref>https://x.com/YoonsrDynamix/status/1537905716668665856</ref>

==History==
Belloq was first introduced on 2 April 2018, when Pennutoh released a video titled '[GD] Spicy Layout #10 (very confusing edition)' showcasing the entire layout of Belloq.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vEHtfxixaQ</ref> The next time people saw this level was in a video by Salamander showing most of his part being decorated, uploaded on 16 June 2018.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly0Q9mu3frw</ref> Epsilonic then uploaded a video showcasing his part in Belloq on 22 June 2018.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH06-ygjo-Y</ref> JaoDay also uploaded a video on that same day showcasing his part in Belloq.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atdq7sve_M8</ref> Then, on 30 June 2018, Pennutoh uploaded a video titled '[GD] Literally unveiling all my projects'. In this video, he showcases Nico99's, Epsilonic's, and his part. He describes Belloq as 'Actually the best level ever made. I like this thing so much, you have no idea', and explains that 'the idea was to make a sand-ish level with blue added in.'<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGyFLzIKT70?t=115</ref>

After Pennutoh's video, creators began to showcase their parts on YouTube. Lipz showcased his video on 9 July 2018,<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XXtAq5Mj4E</ref> then Voltex on 19 July 19,<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHOAosotroM</ref> Lolwut and iNubble on 3 August (which replaced Jaoday),<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gUFkESlnCY</ref> Juhou on 8 August,<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItJeOlEbO5A</ref> Sminx on 27 August,<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjNhx0qUA94</ref> YakobNugget on 15 September,<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKYX6ypUcRo</ref> Skidel on 15 September,<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbQj10LIfiA</ref> and finally, Unigeny on 9 December.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG4MhO_IF5c</ref> At one point, iNubble and Lolwut's part was again replaced with Jaoday's old part.

After months without updates, Belloq fell into obscurity until, in April 2019, it was finished and ready for verification by BrianTheBurger. He verified the level on 19 May 2019.<ref name="Verification" />

==Description== 
*'''0-4% (Onnikonna):''' Belloq begins with a triple-speed ship sequence and then turns into a normal-speed cube sequence with difficult timings and orb jumps. Overall, it is one of the more synced parts of the level.
*'''4-8% (Lipz):''' This part is a mini-ball sequence at normal speed. It features difficult timings and orbs that teleport the player sporadically.
*'''8-13% (Skidel):''' Skidel's part features synced UFO gameplay with only a few portals and orbs.
*'''13-19% (Salamander):''' The music increases in intensity. Salamander's part primarily consists of straight-flying and uses square orbs to activate pads, with a short wave dual at the end. The primary focus of the decoration is the block design, which uses black-and-white details on top of the brown base.
*'''19-22% (YakobNugget):''' The song drops in intensity, beginning the build-up to the drop. YakobNugget's part mainly consists of a ship sequence with many orbs. There are also many changes in gravity. The decoration is not too striking, though there are neon effects.
*'''22-27% (Altin):''' The song's speed increases and becomes more intense. Preparations are underway for the drop - a mixed dual of the robot and ball, and later, the ball and robot. Of course, there are some tricky timings. The decoration is not very detailed, and the focus is again on the blocks. Among the effects is the movement and rotation of a blue neon beam.
*'''27-33% (Juhou):''' The player enters the first drop at triple speed. It consists of several dual sections with many timings, narrow spaces, and numerous changes in gravity. The player often has to click very quickly.
*'''33-39% (Voltex):''' Voltex's part starts with a triple-speed ball segment that eventually transitions into several fast-paced gameplay switches with a ridiculous number of gravity portals. His part ends with a half-speed section featuring a couple of UFO- and mini-wave timings.
*'''39-45% (Nico99):''' Nico99's part features intense asymmetrical duals, including asymmetrical wave parts. An Egyptian symbol floats near the player, possibly signifying that an Egyptian god is watching over them as they try to beat the level. The symbol is called an ankh, which signifies life.
*'''45-51% (Epsilonic):''' This part features primarily cube gameplay, with short ship- and wave sections scattered throughout.
*'''51-59% (Pennutoh):''' Possibly the most synced part of the level. Pennutoh's part begins with a half-speed auto section that brings the cube from the top of the screen to the ground, where it becomes mini. Keeping the speed, the player must hit many orbs in time with the music. At 55%, there is a brief transition showing a vase falling and breaking, with Pennutoh's name floating out of it. Vases are well-known symbols of ancient Egyptian life. After the transition, there is a synced spider part. After the spider part, the player becomes a cube again, and a platform carries them to the next part.
*'''59-63% (EnZore):''' The level now goes at normal speed. There are tricky orb timings with a tight UFO following suit. Following this is a short transition featuring unknown symbols flashing.
*'''63-69% (Sminx):''' Sminx's part begins with a mini-cube/mini-robot dual featuring a very Egyptian-looking background. At 66%, the mini-cube becomes a mini-spider, and at that point, the player will have to hit a ton of orbs (mostly green orbs) while trying to keep the spider safe. After the dual, the player becomes a mini-cube in a short auto section with Sminx's name in the background. A pink pad appears, launching the player into a black orb that takes them to the next part.
*'''69-77% (Sminx):''' Sminx's second part contains synced orb timings of a dual-ship at quadruple-speed. Lightning rages in the background, with a pyramid still visible. It also contrasts with the earlier (and possibly the same) pyramid in Sminx's first part. Some orb spamming is required, as a cube takes the player to SlimJim's part.
*'''77-84% (SlimJim):''' SlimJim's part starts with some UFO timings involving portals, followed by a mini-wave, after which there are more portal-based UFO timings, this time in dual mode. A cube and a ship follow before the part ends with a dual-wave.
*'''84-91% (JaoDay):''' JaoDay's part has tight ship, wave, and UFO timings. The part also includes orbs that launch the player high into the air. His part ends with a dash orb while being a cube.
*'''91-100% (Unigeny):''' Unigeny's part is similar to JaoDay's but utilises orbs and the cube game mode more, specifically dash orbs at portal transitions. After a brief dual and some orbs, there is a short transition to the end-screen featuring the creators' names, accompanied by two golden hands. The end-screen has two rotating three-dimensional pyramids in the desert as its background, along with the level's name, Sminx's and Pennutoh's names, and 'verified by BrianTheBurger' written in the foreground.

==Gameplay==
{{VC|9KtvEtRqn8M}}

==Trivia==
*Belloq was placed at #52 on the [[Demonlist (Pointercrate)|Demonlist]] on 18 July 2019, above Audio Expulsion and below Hatred.
**This addition pushed [[Blade of Justice]] into the Extended List and Superstrike into the Legacy List.
*Gizbro was the first victor of Belloq, completed on 21 May 2019.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRiT7I299hs</ref>
*The level's name may be a reference to [[Wikipedia:List of Indiana Jones characters#René Belloq|René Belloq]], the main antagonist of the film ''Raiders of the Lost Ark''.
**In his video announcing the level's verification, Pennutoh includes a short film clip at the beginning.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRuHReu7JLM</ref>
*After the ankh, during Nico99's part, a scarab beetle appears, a symbol of immortality, transformation, resurrection, and protection. Sometimes, a scarab-beetle-shaped object was placed on a mummy's heart to prepare them for the afterlife, in contrast to the ankh, which symbolises life.
*The ending might symbolise the player successfully passing into the afterlife for eternity.
*Belloq received mixed reviews, besides being criticised for its unconventional gameplay. Some players, especially [[Technical]], found this to have the best gameplay.
**However, this is [[Brandon Larkin|Brandon Larkin's]] least favourite Extreme Demon.
*The placement of Esfera on 1 July 2022 pushed Belloq into the Legacy List of the Demonlist.

==Videos==
{{VC|-7e3lRUBme8
 |cpt1 = Verification
}}

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Demon List levels]]