How Do You Make a Platformer Game on Scratch? A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a platformer game on Scratch can be a fun and rewarding experience for both beginners and seasoned coders. Scratch’s visual programming language makes game development more accessible, allowing you to bring your creative ideas to life. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of making a platformer game on Scratch, from setting up your project to adding interactions and obstacles.

Step 1: Set Up Your Project

Before diving into the coding, you need to set up your Scratch project. Here’s how:

1. Create a New Project: Go to the Scratch website and create a new project.
2. Choose a Sprite: Start by selecting a character sprite that will be the main player in your game. You can either use the default Scratch cat or upload a custom sprite.
3. Set the Background: Select a backdrop that fits the theme of your game. You can choose from Scratch’s library or create your own.

Step 2: Make Your Sprites

Now that your project is set up, you’ll need to create additional sprites for platforms and obstacles:

1. Platform Sprites: Create or select several platform sprites that your character can jump on. Make sure these platforms are positioned at different heights and locations on the screen.
2. Obstacle Sprites: Consider adding enemies or hazards that the player must avoid. You can design these as simple shapes or utilize existing sprites.

Step 3: Add Gravity to the Sprite

To make your platformer feel realistic, you need to implement gravity:

1. Introduce a Gravity Variable: Create a variable named “gravity” and set its initial value to a negative number (like -1). This will emulate the effect of gravity pulling your character down.
2. Apply Gravity: In your player sprite’s code, add a script that continuously decreases the sprite’s y-position. This means the sprite will fall when it’s not on a platform.

scratch
when green flag clicked
set [gravity v] to (-1)
forever
change y by (gravity)
if <touching [Platform v]> then
set [gravity v] to (0)
// Reset position to be on top of the platform
else
set [gravity v] to (-1)
end
end

Step 4: Create Movement Controls

With gravity in place, it’s time to enable character movement:

1. Left and Right Movement: Code the character to move left and right using keyboard inputs.

scratch
if <key [right arrow v] pressed?> then
change x by (5)
end
if <key [left arrow v] pressed?> then
change x by (-5)
end

1. Jumping: Allow your sprite to jump. You can achieve this by adding conditions to check if it’s on a platform and then changing the y-position temporarily.

scratch
if <key [space v] pressed?> and <touching [Platform v]> then
set [gravity v] to (10)
end

Step 5: Horizontal and Vertical Collision Detection

Collision detection ensures your player interacts correctly with platforms and obstacles:

1. Horizontal Collision: Make sure your sprite can’t move through the edges of platforms.
2. Vertical Collision: Adjust the sprite’s position when it lands on a platform so it doesn’t fall through.

Step 6: Add Enemies and Hazards

Introduce challenges by adding enemies that the player must avoid:

1. Creating Enemy Sprites: Design enemy sprites that move back and forth.
2. Collision with Player: Code to reset the player’s position if they touch an enemy.

scratch
if <touching [Enemy v]> then
go to x: (startx) y: (starty)
end

Step 7: Collectible Items

Adding collectibles can enhance your game’s engagement:

1. Create Collectible Sprites: These can be coins or power-ups.
2. Scoring System: Implement a scoring system that increases the score when the player collects items.

scratch
if <touching [Collectible v]> then
change [score v] by (1)
hide
end

Step 8: Polish Your Game

Finally, playtest your game and refine it:

1. Adjust Jump Height and Gravity: Fine-tune these settings for a better player experience.
2. Add Sounds: Incorporate sound effects for jumping, collecting items, or game over situations.
3. Enhance the Visuals: Change sprites and backgrounds to improve the aesthetic appeal of your game.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve followed these steps, you have the basics of a platformer game on Scratch! The beauty of Scratch lies in its flexibility, allowing you to customize and expand your game as you see fit. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different mechanics, add more levels, or create complex interactions. Happy coding, and may your platformer be a hit!