Welcome back to the video game project you started earlier! This time, we’re going to make your game even cooler by adding animation. We’ll do this by writing functions that animate the target and danger sprites in your game. Functions are super important in computer programming, especially for creating animations.
Think of a function as a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do. For example, a function can draw a picture of your danger sprite and place it somewhere on the screen. By changing the input to this function, like the position of the sprite, the sprite can appear to move. This is similar to how flipbook animations work. In a flipbook, each page has a slightly different picture, and when you flip through the pages quickly, it looks like the picture is moving.
To make the target and danger sprites move across the screen, you’ll need to change the updateTarget and updateDanger functions. These functions will take the current x-coordinate of each sprite and return a new x-coordinate. If you want the sprite to move from left to right, the new x-coordinate should be greater than the previous one. If you want it to move from right to left, the new x-coordinate should be less than the previous one.
By the end of this stage, your target and danger sprites should move across the screen. However, they won’t come back once they leave the screen. That’s a challenge we’ll tackle another time!
Now that you know how to animate sprites, you can make your game more dynamic and exciting. Keep experimenting with different movements and see what cool animations you can create!
updateTarget and updateDanger functions to animate sprites?Imagine your game as a flipbook animation. Draw a series of simple images on paper that show a sprite moving across the page. Flip through the pages quickly to see your sprite in action! This will help you understand how small changes in position create the illusion of movement.
Use a coding platform like Scratch or Code.org to create a simple animation. Write a function that moves a sprite from one side of the screen to the other. Experiment with different speeds and directions to see how they affect the animation.
Challenge yourself to modify the updateTarget and updateDanger functions in your game. Try making the sprites move in different patterns, such as zig-zags or circles. Share your results with classmates and discuss how you achieved the effects.
Create a storyboard for a short animation sequence in your game. Plan out each frame by drawing the position of the sprites and writing down the function changes needed. This will help you organize your thoughts and make the coding process smoother.
Work in small groups to design a mini-game that includes animated sprites. Assign roles such as coder, designer, and tester. Collaborate to write functions that animate the sprites and make the game interactive. Present your game to the class and explain how you used functions to create animations.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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Let’s get back into the video game that you started working on earlier. This time, we’re going to add animation to your game by writing functions to animate the target and danger sprites. Functions are a key part of animation in computer programs. A function that draws a static picture of your danger, for example, can place the sprite at a different location based on the input. When that input changes slightly based on time or user interaction, the sprite will appear to move. This is similar to the way that flipbook animations work, where each page draws a static image that has changed by a small amount. When the pages are displayed quickly, the images appear to change smoothly.
To make the target and danger sprites move across the screen, you will modify the update target and update danger functions. These functions will take in the current x-coordinate of each sprite and return a new x-coordinate that is either greater than the previous x-coordinate if it wants to move from left to right, or less than the previous x-coordinate if it wants to move from right to left. At the end of this stage, your target and danger should move across the screen but never return. That’s a problem for another day.
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This version maintains the original meaning while improving clarity and readability.
Animation – A sequence of images or frames that create the illusion of movement when shown in order. – The animation in the video game made the characters look like they were really running and jumping.
Function – A block of code designed to perform a specific task in a program. – In our coding class, we learned how to write a function to calculate the total score in a game.
Sprites – 2D images or animations integrated into a larger scene, often used in video games. – The game developer used sprites to create the characters and obstacles in the game.
Computer – An electronic device that processes data and performs tasks according to a set of instructions. – We used the computer to write and test our code for the class project.
Programming – The process of writing instructions for a computer to perform specific tasks. – Programming can be fun because you get to create your own games and applications.
Instructions – Commands given to a computer to perform specific operations. – The robot followed the instructions in the code to move forward and turn left.
Picture – A visual representation of something, often used in designing user interfaces or graphics. – We added a picture of a spaceship to the game to make it more exciting.
Coordinate – A set of values that show an exact position on a grid or map, often used in graphics and game design. – The character’s position on the screen is determined by its x and y coordinate.
Move – To change the position of an object or character in a program or game. – In the game, you can move the character using the arrow keys on the keyboard.
Game – An interactive program designed for entertainment, often involving challenges or puzzles. – We created a simple game where players have to catch falling stars to score points.
