Game Patterns
The key idea of this approach to game making is to start with a simple Platform Game Template to Remix and to add Game Patterns from a menu of possibilities. There are many ways of thinking about these patterns but in this guide we are dividing them up into the following:
- Game Mechanics: things to do with the actions of the game
- Game Space: things to do with the layout of the game
- Game Polish: music, backgrounds, graphics and story elements
- Challenge and Systems: how different elements interact to create challenge
How to build your own game from the following Game Mechanics
The process of adding to the Platform Game Template to Remix. Start by playing the game and then clicking Edit Code to get started. Then pick one of the Game Patterns below and follow the instructions to add it to your game. Test it out and when you are happy with it, pick another and keep adding to it. The following tips will help you:
- Some Patterns need to be added before other ones will work so look at the related Game Patterns section to see if there are other patterns you need to add first
- Keep records of the links to your published games as you progress in case you get stuck and need to go back one step
- Have a look at the activities of either the group course or an online individual course to enhance your learning
- Adding these Game Patterns creates learning not only of Coding Concepts but also Wider Computing Patterns and Systems Concepts
Game Mechanics
Add or change what you do in the game
- Add Player Lives
- Add Static Hazard
- Add an Animated Enemy
- Jump on Enemy to Zap them
- Double Jump
- Moving / Patrolling Enemies
- Moving / Following Enemies
Game Polish
Change the look and feel of the game and add to the story
- Add Graphical Effects
- Add Sound Effects
- Add a Sound Track (Music)
- Add a Game Story with Messages
- Animate your Player’s Movements
- Make Player Immune
Game Space
Change the shape or nature of the playing space of the game.
- Change Design of Levels
- Add More Levels
- Change Shape of Levels
- Change the Background Image
- Key and Door
Challenge and Systems
Through challenge and systems, games get harder as you progress to keep your interest.