So You Want To Be A Programmer...

So you want to be a programmer...

Developing a game is hard work! You have to toil over something that might not be exactly what you want simply because it's your team's vision. However, a good developer codes efficiently because they love what they do. Let's hope you're the same!

No one wants a badly-programmed game that results in something like this:

Your job is to create a game using the online (not desktop) version of Scratch that is well-programmed. It need not be a completed game; your job is to give the bigwigs at Microsoft enough information to know what your game is going to look or feel like. I've provided an example (that you can even examine the guts of!) right here.

Having one level or a single scenario (depending on the game) is probably sufficient to convince those people that you're doing something well. (Of course, going above and beyond the mark never hurt anyone...)

In order to make a game, check out the very simple tutorial located here. (The game associated with the tutorial, "Ghost Cheese," can be found here, if you want to check out the inner workings.) Although ANY type of game is technically possible with Scratch, your game will most likely resemble the game built in the tutorial (a game in which you grab things to earn points). That's okay! If you want to go in depth on the internet and figure out how to make a different kind of game (platformer? role-playing game? shooting game?), however, feel free. Just make sure you can make it under the deadline! The key to working within Scratch is using Google efficiently: if you want to be able to do a certain thing, GOOGLE IT! Everything and anything is available out there, so look around. Anything's possible!

Please check the rubric below to find out what is required specifically for the project.

Stray Observations:

• Your artist may not be done by the time you are ready to program. THAT'S OKAY! Simply choose a random sprite as a "placeholder" until your artist sends you the actual picture. Program to your heart's content. Then, when the sprite is sent to you, click on "Costumes," then "Clear" (at the top), then "Import." Import your artist's sprite, and it retains all of your old programming!

• Your salesperson will also be sending you notes and instructions to put into the game. Please place them in the following spot: 

• Be sure to click the button below after everything is done in order to allow us to actually view the game in class. Without clicking this, no one else will be able to see your project but you! If you don't see this button, be sure to confirm your email (it's available on your settings page).

• Look at your keyboard. See the button on the upper-right labeled "Prt Sc?" That "Prt Sc" stands for "Print Screen." That allows you to copy whatever your current screen is to your clipboard! You may then paste the image to Paint.NET or Pixlr in order to save it and send screenshots to your artist or salesman, if you'd like.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Official Scratch Tutorials - Know this, and know it well: I literally cannot make a tutorial for everything you want to know about Scratch, because you can do a nigh infinite number of things with the language. Your best bet is to look for a tutorial somewhere, like this site, that can help you.

Scratch Wiki - This Scratch Wiki is awesooooome! Lots of interesting information. Dig around a while. Try typing in a query like "jumping" or something similar.

Scratch - The official Scratch website. Seriously, just go to any game and you can deconstruct it by clicking the "See Inside!" button in the top right. That will be very helpful as you move forward!