Yes level_load("") opens an empty level. I dont think that you can read in the manual that you need to load something.

Oldschoolj, |= is wrong. |= is for setting flags and keeping already set flags, and = is for setting flags and resetting all other flags, this is what you need in a definition.

Dennis, I don't know why your panel doesnt work but I see a possible problem with your panel, it has no background image and no size. I think a panel needs either a background image or a size. But Im not sure about this so try it.