Arcade advanced skills · Find each block in the MakeCode toolbox (the category is at the end of each line).
Makes a sprite: a picture the game can move and test. Sprites; click the picture to draw your own. The kind says what it is.
let mySprite = sprites.create(img`
. . . . . . . .
. . 5 5 5 5 . .
. 5 5 5 5 5 5 .
. 5 f 5 5 f 5 .
. 5 5 5 5 5 5 .
. 5 f f f f 5 .
. . 5 5 5 5 . .
. . . . . . . .
`, SpriteKind.Player)
Sets one part of the position. y counts down from the top. Sprites; choose x or y in the dropdown.
mySprite.x = 80
Stops a sprite going off the edge. Sprites › set stay in screen.
mySprite.setStayInScreen(true)
The sprite bounces back at the edge of the screen. Sprites › set bounce on wall.
mySprite.setBounceOnWall(true)
Runs when a sprite of the first kind touches a sprite of the second kind. sprite is the first, otherSprite the second. Sprites › Overlaps.
sprites.onOverlap(SpriteKind.Player, SpriteKind.Food, function (sprite, otherSprite) {
blocks
})
A whole number chosen at random, from the first number to the second. Math.
randint(0, 160)
Shows hearts for lives. At zero lives the game ends by itself. Info.
info.setLife(3)
A hit destroys what hit you and costs a life, so one touch counts once. At 0 lives the game ends by itself.
sprites.onOverlap(SpriteKind.Player, SpriteKind.Enemy, function (sprite, otherSprite) {
otherSprite.destroy()
info.changeLifeBy(-1)
})
Fires a sprite of kind Projectile from another sprite, with a speed across and down. It is destroyed when it leaves the screen. Sprites.
let projectile = sprites.createProjectileFromSprite(img`
. 2 .
2 4 2
. 2 .
`, mySprite, 0, -100)
Names a group of blocks. They run only when you call the function. Functions › Make a Function.
function spawnEnemy () {
blocks
}
A parameter is a value the caller hands in, so one function can do the job differently each time. Click + on the function block.
function spawnEnemy (speed: number) {
blocks
}
Fills the screen with one colour. Scene.
scene.setBackgroundColor(9)
Puts a sprite at x (across, 0 to 160) and y (down, 0 to 120). The middle is 80, 60. Sprites.
mySprite.setPosition(80, 60)
The arrow keys (or WASD) move the sprite. Add two numbers for the speed across and down. Controller.
controller.moveSprite(mySprite)
Speed across: positive moves right, negative moves left. vy is speed down. Sprites; choose vx in the dropdown.
mySprite.vx = 50
Runs its blocks every time A is pressed (space or Z on the keyboard). Controller.
controller.A.onEvent(ControllerButtonEvent.Pressed, function () {
blocks
})
Removes a sprite from the game. Sprites.
otherSprite.destroy()
Adds to the score. Use a negative number to take away. Info.
info.changeScoreBy(1)
Adds or takes away lives. Info.
info.changeLifeBy(-1)
A timer: runs its blocks every so many milliseconds (1000 ms is one second). Game.
game.onUpdateInterval(1000, function () {
blocks
})
A list of every sprite of a kind in the game right now. Sprites.
sprites.allOfKind(SpriteKind.Enemy)
Runs its blocks once for each item in the list, with value as that item. Loops.
for (let value of list) {
blocks
}
The jump goes inside an if that asks whether the player is on the floor, so it only works from the ground.
controller.A.onEvent(ControllerButtonEvent.Pressed, function () {
if (player.bottom >= 100) {
player.vy = -150
}
})
Runs its blocks every frame, about 30 times a second. Put an if here to keep checking something. Game.
game.onUpdate(function () {
blocks
})
An if inside on game update is asked every frame, so it acts the moment its question becomes true.
game.onUpdate(function () {
if (car.x > 160) {
car.x = 0
}
})
The y of the bottom edge of a sprite. Sprites; choose bottom in the x dropdown.
mySprite.bottom
Runs the blocks inside only when the condition is true. Logic.
if (condition) {
blocks
}
Acceleration down: the sprite falls faster and faster, like gravity. Sprites; choose ay in the dropdown.
mySprite.ay = 300
A jump is a speed upwards (negative vy); gravity slows it and brings the sprite back down.
mySprite.vy = -150
How far the sprite moves every frame, across and down. It keeps moving until something changes it. Sprites.
mySprite.setVelocity(50, 0)
Many values in order under one name. Places start at 0. Arrays.
let speeds = [40, 60, 90]
The item at a place in the list, counted from 0. Arrays.
speeds[0]
Adds to a variable. Change by -1 counts down. Variables.
level += 1
Goes in the event where the score changes, not in on game update. goal moves up, so the next level is further away.
if (info.score() >= goal) {
level += 1
goal += 5
game.splash("Level " + level)
}
Ends the game: true is a win, false is a loss. Game.
game.gameOver(false)
Exactly one part runs: the first when the condition is true, else the second. Click + on an if block.
if (condition) {
blocks
} else {
blocks
}
Puts a value in a variable, throwing the old value away. Make the variable in Variables first.
let level = 1
Shows a message and waits for A. Game.
game.splash("Level 1")
Removes every sprite of a kind at once. Sprites.
sprites.destroyAllSpritesOfKind(SpriteKind.Enemy)
The engine steers one sprite towards another at a speed. Sprites.
enemy.follow(mySprite, 40)
Check there is some left first, then use one up, so the count never goes below zero.
if (ammo > 0) {
blocks
ammo += -1
}
A variable can hold true or false, to remember what is happening now. Logic.
let shield = false
A timer in seconds at the top of the screen; the game ends when it reaches 0. Info.
info.startCountdown(30)
The sprite is removed once it leaves the screen, so old ones do not pile up. Sprites › set flag.
rock.setFlag(SpriteFlag.AutoDestroy, true)
Another question, asked only if the ones above were false. The first true one wins.
} else if (condition) {