For those of us who love games in the early arcade style (think early Nintendo) Microsoft has provided an easy-to-learn-and-use online programming environment to make these types of games. Once you create games, you can download games onto a variety of inexpensive game boards so you can take your games along with you!
MakeCode Arcade works on computers with modern web browsers. It also works on iPads although you may find it easier on a computer.
Microsoft has also put together a range of demonstration tutorials to help you learn faster. Check them out and give MakeCode Arcade a try!
(Advanced learners can also program using JavaScript or Python.)
What is Microsoft MakeCode Arcade?
Before You Start
Before you get started, watch these instructions to learn how to have the tutorial video open at the same time you are working on your game.
Don't forget to use the pause, and rewind buttons if you need to slow down the tutorial or to review a step.
Beginning
To get started with Makecode Arcade, use the tutorials highlighted below.
The Youtube playlist for all of the Beginning Makecode Arcade tutorials can be found here.
At the end of the tutorials steps are included to publish your project. You do not need to publish your project in order to save it. Please consult your parents before publishing anything to the Internet.
First Game - Chase the Pizza
In this tutorial, you'll learn to create sprites, control sprite movement, keep score, and display timers.
Make sure to follow the Before You Start instructions above to put the tutorial picture-in-picture mode to make it easier to follow along.
Use the starter game Chase the Pizza to follow along and complete the project. The tutorial will show you how to find the project in MakeCode Arcade.
Happy Flower
Open up the tutorial and set it to picture in picture mode so you can watch it as you create. Use the instructions at the top of this page if you need a refresher.
In this tutorial you will use the Happy Flower starter game to learn about how to generate sprites with random velocities, how to set lifespans, and how to draw more sprites.
Lemon Leak
In this tutorial you will use the Lemon Leak starter game to continue to use game update events, and learn how to keep sprites within the game area. You will also learn how to add effects.
Make a Maze Game
Open up the tutorial and set it to picture in picture mode so you can watch it as you create. Use the instructions at the top of this page if you need a refresher.
In this tutorial you will use the Maze starter game to learn about how to create a game with walls to navigate a maze.
Tug of Yard
In this tutorial you will use learn to make a 2 player tug of war game.
Advanced
Once you have mastered the basics, there is much more you can do!
The Youtube playlist for the Advanced Makecode Arcade tutorials can be found here. Each tutorial has a video walk through of creating the game and most include the game starter for you. We have highlighted the first episodes to get you started.
First Livestream - Create a Hero
Open up the tutorial and set it to picture in picture mode so you can watch it as you create. Use the instructions at the top of this page if you need a refresher.
Open Makecode Arcade and follow the tutorial to make the game. Feel free to make changes to customize your game.
When finished you can view this week's sample game at https://aka.ms/makecodearcadegame
How to Create a Road Crossing Game
Follow the tutorial to learn how to make your own game, then when you are finished, you can view the instructor's finished game using the link below.
You will use tilemaps, game update events, and sprite overlaps in this game.
Don't like alligators or cats? Make up your own sprites. Use the dimensions shown in the tutorial. Make sure to save your game so you can use it in Part 2 of the tutorial.
This week's finished game: https://arcade.makecode.com/24446-29814-93321-74457
Road Crossing Game Part 2
Open up the tutorial and set it to picture in picture mode so you can watch it as you create. Use the instructions at the top of this page if you need a refresher.
Open Makecode Arcade and load your Road Crossing game. Feel free to make changes to customize your game.
If you do not have your game from the last lesson, you can load this game instead.
Challenge - Creating Levels and Tilemaps
This tutorial is a challenge because it is not a full step-by-step tutorial, but an introduction of concepts. Can you use these to create your own came with several levels?
Find the code for the finished game here.