diff --git a/gamebase.py b/gamebase.py
index 5d249d8..b30ef64 100644
--- a/gamebase.py
+++ b/gamebase.py
@@ -555,23 +555,28 @@ Object can be the name of the object, or its coordinates."""
         data = None
         with open(dataFile, 'r') as f:
             data = yaml.load(f)
+        # In this context, 'singleton' means a 'thing' that can be accessed by
+        # any map. This is useful for when you have major characters who will
+        # show up in many scenes, and their inventory must stay the same, for
+        # example.
         if 'singletons' in data:
-            for datum in data['singletons']:
-                thing = data['singletons'][datum]
+            for thing in data['singletons']:
+                #thing = data['singletons'][datum]
                 if not isinstance(thing, _gt.Thing):
+                    print("Non-thing in singletons, ignoring.\n", _sys.stderr)
                     continue
                 thing.thingID = self.nextThing
                 self.nextThing += 1
                 if thing.thingType in 'iun':
-                    nextThing = self.addThingRecursive(thing.customValues, nextThing)
+                    self.nextThing = _gm.GameMap.addThingRecursive(thing.customValues, self.nextThing)
                 if thing.thingType == 'n':
                     for i in thing.tempInventory:
                         if i.thingID == -1:
-                            i.thingID = nextThing
-                        nextThing = self.addThingRecursive(i.customValues, nextThing + 1)
+                            i.thingID = self.nextThing
+                        self.nextThing = _gm.GameMap.addThingRecursive(i.customValues, self.nextThing + 1)
                         thing.addThing(i)
                     del thing.tempInventory
-            self.singletons = dict(data[singletons])
+            self.singletons = list(data['singletons'])
         return data
         
     def gameEventLoop(self):
diff --git a/gamemap.py b/gamemap.py
index fcb2605..cb099cc 100644
--- a/gamemap.py
+++ b/gamemap.py
@@ -220,12 +220,12 @@ list of lists of tuples."""
         # Some things, like containers, have other things as custom values,
         # so they need IDs as well.
         if thing.thingType in 'iun':
-            nextThing = self.addThingRecursive(thing.customValues, nextThing)
+            nextThing = GameMap.addThingRecursive(thing.customValues, nextThing)
         if thing.thingType == 'n':
             for i in thing.tempInventory:
                 if i.thingID == -1:
                     i.thingID = nextThing
-                nextThing = self.addThingRecursive(i.customValues, nextThing + 1)
+                nextThing = GameMap.addThingRecursive(i.customValues, nextThing + 1)
                 thing.addThing(i)
             del thing.tempInventory
         pos = self.coordsToInt(thing.x, thing.y)
@@ -242,21 +242,22 @@ list of lists of tuples."""
             self.persistent.append(thing.thingID)
         return nextThing
         
-    def addThingRecursive(self, container, nextThing = 0):
+    @staticmethod
+    def addThingRecursive(container, nextThing = 0):
         if isinstance(container, _gt.Thing):
             if container.thingID == -1:
                 container.thingID = nextThing
-                nextThing = self.addThingRecursive(container.customValues, nextThing)
+                nextThing = GameMap.addThingRecursive(container.customValues, nextThing)
                 return nextThing + 1
             else:
                 return nextThing
         elif isinstance(container, dict):
             for i in container:
-                nextThing = self.addThingRecursive(container[i], nextThing)
+                nextThing = GameMap.addThingRecursive(container[i], nextThing)
             return nextThing
         elif isinstance(container, list):
             for i in container:
-                nextThing = self.addThingRecursive(i, nextThing)
+                nextThing = GameMap.addThingRecursive(i, nextThing)
             return nextThing
         else:
             return nextThing
diff --git a/gameshell.py b/gameshell.py
index 4a2fd74..6f1e610 100644
--- a/gameshell.py
+++ b/gameshell.py
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@ class GameShell(Shell):
             self.gameTitle = data['title']
         self.startLevel = 'testing/test1.yml' # should be changed for actual games
         if 'startLevel' in data:
-            self.gameTitle = data['startLevel']
+            self.startLevel = data['startLevel']
         self.openingText = '{}\nIn Development'
         if 'openingText' in data:
-            self.gameTitle = data['openingText']
+            self.openingText = data['openingText']
         self.ps2 = '?> '
         self.__inGame = False
         
diff --git a/testing/testdata.yml b/testing/testdata.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b15ade8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testing/testdata.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+%YAML 1.2
+---
+title: Sample Text
+openingText: "{}\nsample text"
+startLevel: testing/test1.yml
+singletons:
+  - !NPC
+    name: follower
+    description: a follower
+    location: [0, 0]
+    behaviors:
+        go: [-1, follow]
+        arrive: [-1, follow]
+    customValues:
+        follow:
+            distance: 2
+            isFollowing: True
+            target: You
+