How to Code a Video Game (Intro to Game Design): Projects 5 & 6 [Ages 11-16]

Every two lessons the class focuses on a new project, and by the end students will have 2 video game projects of their very own. 

Lessons 1 & 2: Students learn to how to program a game called "Watch Out" by making backgrounds move to simulate to motion of a spaceship, and use particles that have their own sprite instead of a generic shape. We will learn how to make particles appear any place we need them, and how to change the properties of a background during the game. We will also see how to layer backgrounds to simulate depth and give our games more complexity. Students will have a chance to experiment with creating custom particles and are challenged to add new features to the game. 

Lessons 3 &4: Students will learn to make a ninja jumper game, which simulates various jumping games where players must continuously jump from platform to platform to keep the player above the bottom of the screen. The player gains points by touching a coin that jumps to various places on-screen, making the player have to use strategy and take risks in order to get a higher score. Students can choose from two different ninja designs for their character. *** The ninja jumper game mechanics are used again and developed further in the 8th project, Coding a Ninja Platformer Game.***

You will follow along with me live, watching my screen and doing what I do. As we code, I'll explain what how the code we are using works. We'll get as far as we can in two hours, which should be plenty to finish the game. You will have access to a video recording of each lesson that you can use as a reference. 

No previous coding experience is required to understand these lessons! Work through projects in a logical, strategic series of steps that introduces students to a powerful video game engine using real code. The visual blocks of code, similar to the visual style of the Scratch platform by MIT, can be converted into the actual text code at any time. 

***Students will receive access temporarily to GameMaker Studio 2 for the duration of the class, along with 2 blank project files, and 2 completed project files. This class covers 2 projects instead of 1, students get 4 hours of total instruction, and the course was designed by an experienced computer science teacher.***

Students will need a desktop or laptop computer for this course. A Chromebook, tablet, smart phone are not sufficient. 

REQUIRED: You must have downloaded and installed GameMaker Studio 2 before the first day of class. If you have trouble with this, you can send me a message on Outschool and I'll help.