Let’s dive into making your game more interactive by using something called conditionals. These are like special rules that help your game decide what to do based on what happens. For example, we can use conditionals to make your game character, or sprite, move when you press certain keys on your keyboard.
Every key on your keyboard has a special number called a key code. When you press a key, your computer reads this number to know which key you pressed. For instance, if you press the up arrow, it sends the key code 38, and if you press the down arrow, it sends the key code 40.
To make your player sprite move up or down, we need to create a function called update-player. This function will check which key code was sent when you pressed a key. It will also look at the player’s current position on the screen, which we call the y-coordinate. Based on the key code, the function will change the y-coordinate to move the player up or down.
Here’s how the update-player function works:
If you want to use different keys to control your player, you can look up their key codes in a key code reference sheet. This sheet is like a map that shows you the special number for each key.
Now that you know how key codes and conditionals work, you can try adding them to your game. Experiment with different keys and see how they change the way your player moves. Have fun making your game unique and exciting!
Explore your keyboard by pressing different keys and discovering their key codes. Use an online key code reference tool to verify your findings. Create a list of key codes for at least five different keys and share it with the class.
Write a short story where the main character makes decisions based on certain conditions. For example, if the character finds a key, they can open a door. Share your story with a partner and discuss how conditionals made your story more interactive.
Using a simple coding platform, create a sprite that moves up and down based on key presses. Experiment with different keys and key codes to see how they affect the sprite’s movement. Share your code with a classmate and try each other’s creations.
Design a new level for your game where the player must navigate through obstacles using key presses. Use conditionals to create rules for how the player can move. Present your level to the class and explain the conditionals you used.
Create a short demo of your game showing how conditionals and key codes are used to control the player. Record a video or perform a live demonstration for the class, highlighting the key features and any challenges you faced while coding.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Now that you’re more comfortable using conditionals, let’s try using them in your game. To get the player sprite to respond to the keyboard, we’ll need to use a conditional to check which key was pressed and then move either up or down. Each key on your keyboard sends a unique number called a key code to your computer.
The update-player function will take in that key code as well as the player’s current y-coordinate and return a new y-coordinate that is either greater or less than the previous one, depending on the key pressed. If you want to use the arrow keys to move your player, you’ll need to check for key code 38 for the up arrow and key code 40 for the down arrow. If you want to use different keys for your game, refer to the key code reference sheet from your student workbook.
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This version maintains the original meaning while ensuring clarity and professionalism.
Conditionals – Statements in programming that only run when certain conditions are true. – Example sentence: In our game, we use conditionals to make the character jump only if the space bar is pressed.
Key Codes – Numbers that represent specific keys on the keyboard. – Example sentence: We used key codes to detect when the arrow keys are pressed to move the character.
Sprite – A two-dimensional image or animation that is part of a larger scene in a game or program. – Example sentence: The sprite of our main character changes when it collects a coin.
Player – The character or object controlled by the user in a game or program. – Example sentence: The player can earn points by collecting stars in the game.
Function – A block of code designed to perform a specific task. – Example sentence: We created a function to make the character jump when the up arrow is pressed.
Move – To change the position of an object or character in a program or game. – Example sentence: We programmed the character to move right when the right arrow key is pressed.
Keyboard – An input device used to type and interact with a computer. – Example sentence: We use the keyboard to control the character’s movements in the game.
Y-Coordinate – The vertical position of a point in a two-dimensional space, often used in programming to determine where something is on the screen. – Example sentence: We changed the y-coordinate of the sprite to make it jump higher.
Up – A direction used to move an object or character higher on the screen. – Example sentence: Pressing the up arrow key makes the character move up the ladder.
Down – A direction used to move an object or character lower on the screen. – Example sentence: The character moves down the hill when the down arrow key is pressed.
