Scratch

Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share your creations on the web. As students create and share Scratch projects, they learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.

If you're new to Scratch, there are a variety of resources that can be helpful in getting started, including the Getting Started guide, Scratch cards, Scratch videos, and the Scratch reference guide. The Languages page contains translations of these and other resources in a variety of languages, from Arabic to Ukrainian.

Different people get started with Scratch in different ways. Some like to tinker with various blocks to see what they do. Others like to experiment with the sample projects that come with Scratch, and then make changes to the scripts.

This diagram below shows you the key areas of the Scratch software interface.

But let's actually use an example, made in Scratch to illustrate what the items are above.

Check it out: Scratch Walkthough, Made in Scratch

Don't forget to click the blue "see inside" button to get a look at how the code is laid out.

Now that we have had some time to explore Scratch. Here is your first simple assignment.

1. >>>>>>>>> REMIX PONG

2. Create a Basic "Pong" Game. Get creative with your sprites. They don't just have to be a ball and a paddle.

Introduction to Scratch

Assignment #1: "Chasing/Eating" (Pac Man Type Game)

Requirements:

1. Game must have a main character that the user moves about the screen using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

2. There must be "food" that the character eats. The food will disapear after the character eats it.

3. The game area must have a maze that the main character must "bounce" off when it touches the maze.

Extras:

1. The game keeps score based on the number of food eaten.

2. Ghosts or evil characters chase the main character.

3 System for keeping track of the lives of the main character.

see more detailed step by step instructions here

Bonus: How to make a scoring system in Scratch

How to make your character not go through walls.

Hint: How to reset a scoreboard

Tips & Tricks to using: Broadcast & Receive

Project #2: Red Light/Green Light

Requirements:

1. Must have 2 different dancers that use costume changes to simulate movement and dancing.

2. Must have music that plays while characters are dancing.

3. Must have a system where the user clicks on a green or red light sprites to start or stop the music and dancing.

Extras:

1. Use photographs of yourself to create dancing sprite.

2. Add sprites that simulate colored lights changing on the dance floor.

3. Use different stages to change the setting of the dance floor.

*hint: this is a great chance to incorporate yourself into a game. 2 or 3 digital photos of yourself, edited in photoshop can make your game totally unique.

Project #3:Target Game

This will be a target shooting game. You will have 1 main sprite and multiple (minimum 3) target sprites.

Your main sprite will be shooting some type of weapon. If the weapon hits a target sprite, your target sprite should either:

a) completely dissimilar (basic level)

b) partially disappear (advanced level, 3 hits to make sprite fully vanish)

Make your sprites interesting and creative.

Extend your project by attempting to create actions like changing backgrounds, flashing screens, explosions if a sprite dies, etc.

Project requirements:

1. One main sprite, minimum 3 target sprites.

2. Opening and closing screens.

3. Music during main game sequence.

4. Sound effects for each time the weapon is fired and each time it hits a target sprite.

Here is an example of a simple version of this game (click image to view):

download the Target Game.sb code file to analyze yourself

Basic Canon:

Basic Canon Ball

Canon Variables:

Canon Target:

For much more detailed, step by step instructions, view here.

Play a classic example of a target shooting game, the 1979 Epic Battle known as Galaga!

Scratch Final Project: Side Scrolling Game

For your final project you will create a side scrolling game.

This will be a 1 or 2 person assignment. Work in pairs to share ideas and develop an exciting game.

Your game requires a main character sprite.

Your game requires at least 3 levels. (3 different backgrounds)

Your game requires 1 end boss.

Your game requires an intro screen with text describing how to make the game work, i.e. "push spacebar to start, left & right arrows to move, M key to shoot"

Your game requires an end screen to indicate whether you win or lose.

The following link are all tutorials and examples of how to create this project.

Look at other examples, analyze the code, figure out how to create what you have in your imagination.

Due date: end of class Friday, April 28

The Scrolling Platform Tutorial is a good place to start and

the Platform Game in Scratch handout is a good guide to use as well