TETRIS

Tetris is our take on one of the most addictive games ever. The game consists of over 100 lines of code and it is divided into four lessons. But the outcome is really worth the effort!
The game features various variables used for changing the game speed and leveling, introduces the use of a list as a way of storing data, and practices event control with the use of Scratch message blocks.

The animation shows actual gameplay of the game designed during this exercise.

BRICK-MAN

The “Brick-Man” game was modelled after the legendary Japanese arcade game: “Pac-Man”. The player’s task is to “eat” all cross-shaped dots in the maze without getting caught by enemies. The game includes a sprite controlled by the player and several autonomous enemy sprites. Programming this game creates an opportunity to recall knowledge about color detection, visual effects, using variables and duplicating objects.

The animation shows actual gameplay of the game designed during this exercise.

SNAKE

The Scratch version of the Snake game has every essential feature, that was found in its immensely popular variant for Nokia cell phones. The goal is always the same: to eat as much “snacks” while avoiding running into walls or snake”s own body.
In this exercise, students will get to know a clever way to make the snake appear to grow longer upon eating a snack, and learn how to increase the the difficulty level with each earned point, while avoiding making the game unplayable after certain time.

The animation shows actual gameplay of the game designed during this exercise.

FROGGER

Frogger game is a simple variation on the popular arcade blockbuster. In the gameplay the player tries to guide a Frog character through the water to the other side of the screen.
The game features a keyboard controlled Frog sprite, and contains an interesting mechanism of Log sprite cloning using a number of variables.

SPACE EXPLORER

Space Explorer is a single player game in which a space shuttle is maneuvered through the asteroid field. The player uses arrow keys to control the shuttle and a space key to fire a laser missile in order to destroy asteroids. The aim is to survive as long as possible.
During two lessons with this project, students learn how to build a shooter game using visual programming blocks and learn several programming concepts such as controlling shuttle”s motion using arrow keys, detecting collisions and programming motion of the asteroids and laser.

The animation shows actual gameplay of the game designed during this exercise.

RACE

Race is a simple racing game in which one or two players race against a clock on an oval track. The longer the vehicle stays away from the track edges, the greater speed it gains. 
The game features color detection to keep the vehicles on the track and variables to keep the score and modify the speed of the vehicles. The exercise consists of three lessons, however the third lesson, introducing a multi-player version of the game, is optional. gear configuration, transferring drive to the machine’s tail. The machine is equipped with a tilt sensor, used to detect the position of the helicopter. The construction is a perfect opportunity to discuss how heavier-than-air, self-powered machines fly and what unique abilities do helicopters have.

CLICK-A-BRICK

Click-A-Brick is a skill game, where the player must click on bricks popping up on the board. The objective is to remove as many bricks as possible in a limited amount of time. During two lessons dedicated to creating the game, students will have an opportunity to use their knowledge of coordinates and randomness to build a net of places, where the bricks will appear. Moreover, they will learn how to detect the mouse cursor location, how to check if the mouse button was pressed, or how to create simple animations.

BANANA CHASE

Banana Chase is a simple game, that is an ideal way of taking first steps in game developing using Scratch. The aim of the game is to guide a gorilla (a character from our SafariCAMP WeDo lesson plan) through the maze, so it reaches a banana that is waiting for him. 
The exercise consists of two lessons, during which the students will make the gorilla move accordingly to the pressed keyboard key. They will also learn how to make the game interesting by changing the mazes and animating the main character.

BOUNCING GEAR

Bouncing gear is a LEGO themed take on the one of the oldest arcade games: Pong. Unlike the original, our game is single player, and the objective is to bounce off the gear (that plays a role of the ball) with the paddle. A point is given for each time the player bounces the gear, but at the same time the gear gains some speed, making the game more difficult. 
In the course of this exercise the students will learn how to use mathematical formulas to calculate the angle at which the gear bounces off the paddle. The game also uses variables to store points and speed of the game

FALLING BRICKS

In the Falling Bricks game, the player controls the basket using a computer mouse and tries to catch as many falling LEGO bricks as possible. The bricks appear in random places at the top of the screen and, as the game progresses, fall with an increasing speed. 
During this project, students learn how to code a simple game using visual programming blocks and learn several programming concepts such as using variables and random values, detecting colors and keeping score.