Video games - drag and drop programming

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.

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

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

PLEASE PLACE ALL THE ASSIGNMENTS LISTED BELOW INTO ONE FOLDER WHICH YOU WILL HAND IN AT THE END OF THE UNIT! 

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

# 1 - Recreate the very first commercial video game! 

 Create a Basic "Pong" Game. These are merely a basic set of instructions, feel free to change them to add your own creative flair!  They don't just have to be a ball and a paddle but can also have different backgrounds and appearances. 

Before you start, you may wish to try and play a few rounds of Pong yourself to learn more about the very first video game ever made! 

Criteria for Pong Game

change the background / add a scoring system / build in TWO levels of complexity / include ONE unexpected game idea that builds user interest /no bugs / creative design

 # 2 -  "Chasing/Eating" PAC-Man Type Game OR  a maze game 

Criteria PAC-Man Game:

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 disappear 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.

Criteria for Maze game: 

1. a complex maze (search up examples) 

2. More than one level. 

3. Some ways of tracking progress (scoring system or countdown timer / escalating levels of difficulty - starting with easy then progress through a level or some way of game requiring more and more skill 

4. quality graphics - make as dynamic and graphic rich interface as possible. For example, a unique sprite that broadcasts messages as you proceed through the game. Perhaps put the maze game in a forest or in the desert or in a unique setting.

see more detailed step by step instructions here

• Hint: How to reset a scoreboard

• Tips & Tricks to using: Broadcast & Receive

Assignment #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