Scratch is a really cool platform! It might look like a character from a kids’ show, but it’s actually a great tool for making games. Scratch was created by MIT almost 20 years ago to help both kids and adults learn programming. It uses a visual scripting language that looks like building with Lego blocks. Even though it’s mainly for learning, Scratch has become super popular, and lots of people want to know more about it!
Today, I decided to try out Scratch and see what kind of game I could make in just a few hours. First, I created an account on the Scratch website, but I had a little trouble with my username. Then, I found out there’s a desktop version of Scratch, so I downloaded and installed it.
Once I was ready, I started thinking about what kind of game to make. At first, I thought about making a game like Kirby, where you have to press a button before your opponent. But I realized that making the art look the way I wanted would take too long. So, I came up with a new idea: “Ducky’s Cozy Kitchen.”
In this game, you play as a duck in a kitchen, trying to cook while flies buzz around. Your job is to swat the flies away. I started by creating the artwork, which helped me figure out how the game would work. I made a cute duck in a cozy kitchen with a plant, some toast, and, of course, flies.
Then, I started programming in Scratch. It felt like playing with a simple toy compared to other programming languages! I quickly added the artwork and programmed the duck’s hand to move. I also added the flies, making them fly around randomly.
Next, I made the flies clone themselves, so more flies would appear every few seconds. I added sound effects for swatting the flies and made the duck’s turner move smoothly, like sliding on ice. I also added a catchy soundtrack to make the game feel cozy.
To make the game more exciting, I added some fun mechanics, like a delay before hitting flies and random toaster pops. As you swat more flies, they appear faster, making the kitchen feel chaotic!
Creating the artwork took longer than programming the game, which showed me why Scratch is so popular. It’s really easy to use, even though it has some limits. If you want to start learning programming and game development, Scratch is a fantastic place to begin.
For “Ducky’s Cozy Kitchen,” I wanted to add more features, like finishing the clock and making a better ending. But I decided to keep the game endless, with flies buzzing around forever!
If you want to try the game or see the code, there’s a link in the description. And if you’re interested in learning how to code, check out Brilliant. They have lots of lessons on math, programming, and more. Their interactive lessons are really effective and fun!
That’s all for now! Let me know what programming language you’d like to learn about next, and I’ll see you in the next adventure!
Start by creating your own account on the Scratch website. Explore the platform and familiarize yourself with its features. Try to find the desktop version and install it if you can. This will help you get comfortable with the tools you’ll be using to create your game.
Think about what kind of game you would like to create. Use your imagination and come up with a fun concept. It could be something simple like “Ducky’s Cozy Kitchen” or a completely new idea. Write down your ideas and sketch out how you want your game to look.
Use Scratch’s art tools to create your game characters and background. Make your designs as creative as possible. Remember, this is your game, so let your imagination run wild! You can draw a cute duck, a cozy kitchen, or anything else that fits your game idea.
Start programming your game using Scratch’s visual scripting language. Focus on making your characters move and interact with the environment. For example, program the duck’s hand to move and swat flies. Experiment with different blocks to see what they do.
Enhance your game by adding sound effects and music. You can record your own sounds or use Scratch’s library. Try adding effects like fly buzzing or a catchy soundtrack to make your game more engaging. Play around with different sounds to see what fits best.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Scratch is an interesting platform! While the logo may resemble a character from a popular children’s show, it’s actually a fantastic game engine. Created nearly 20 years ago by MIT, Scratch was designed to teach programming to both kids and adults. It utilizes a high-level, visual scripting language that resembles building with Lego blocks. Although it’s primarily an educational tool, Scratch has gained immense popularity, making it one of the most requested topics for videos on this channel. The Scratch community, affectionately known as “Scratchers,” has spoken!
Today, I decided to explore Scratch and see what I could create in just a couple of hours. My time was limited, so I thought this would be a great challenge to develop a fun game. I started by creating an account on the Scratch website, but I encountered a glitch where it indicated my chosen username was available, yet it wouldn’t let me sign up with it. After some exploration, I discovered there’s a desktop version of Scratch, which I quickly downloaded and installed.
Once everything was set up, it was time to brainstorm a game idea. Initially, I considered creating a game inspired by Kirby, where players would have to press a button before their opponent. However, after experimenting with the art style, I realized that achieving the vector look I wanted would take too long, so I moved on. I had a few other ideas, but ultimately decided to challenge myself with a more engaging concept: “Ducky’s Cozy Kitchen.”
In this game, you play as a duck in the kitchen trying to cook while pesky flies buzz around, and your goal is to swat them away. With a basic idea in mind, I started creating the artwork. I found that for smaller projects, designing the visuals first can help clarify the mechanics needed before diving into programming.
I began piecing together shapes and created a charming little duck in a cozy kitchen, complete with a plant, some toast, and, of course, flies. Then, I jumped back into Scratch to start programming. After working with C++, using Scratch felt like playing with a simple toy! Within minutes, I added most of the artwork and programmed the duck’s hand to move. I also added the flies, giving them random flight patterns and animations.
Next, I implemented a cloning feature for the flies, allowing them to spawn every few seconds, filling the kitchen with them. Unfortunately, I discovered that the Scratch forums were down, which made finding custom assets a bit challenging. However, I found a helpful book that provided some guidance, even if I still felt a bit lost.
I added sound effects for swatting the flies and made the duck’s turner glide to its last position every second, which felt a bit like ice physics. I also incorporated a catchy soundtrack that added to the cozy atmosphere of the game. To enhance the gameplay, I introduced mechanics like a delay before hitting flies and random toaster pops, along with additional sound effects. As players swatted more flies, their spawn rate increased, creating a chaotic kitchen filled with buzzing flies.
In the end, I realized that creating the artwork took significantly longer than programming the game itself. Now I understand why Scratch is so popular; it’s incredibly user-friendly, though it does have some limitations. For anyone looking to get started with programming and game development, Scratch is a fantastic platform to explore.
As for “Ducky’s Cozy Kitchen,” there were a few more features I wanted to implement, like finishing the clock and adding a better ending. However, I wanted to keep the cozy vibe of the game, making it endless with flies forever!
If you’re interested in trying out the game or exploring the code, you can find the link in the description. And if you’re looking to learn how to code, I recommend checking out today’s sponsor, Brilliant. They offer thousands of lessons ranging from foundational math to advanced programming and AI. Their interactive lessons are proven to be more effective than passive learning methods. One course I particularly enjoy is “Computer Science Fundamentals,” which covers essential programming concepts.
Brilliant offers a 30-day free trial, and the first 200 people to sign up will receive a discount on their annual premium subscription. Thank you to Brilliant for supporting the channel and my game development journey!
That’s it for this video! Let me know what programming language you’d like to see next, and I’ll catch you in the next one!
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This version removes any informal language, personal anecdotes, or specific references that may not be suitable for all audiences while maintaining the overall message and structure.
Scratch – A visual programming language that lets you create stories, games, and animations by snapping blocks together. – Example sentence: In Scratch, you can make a cat dance by connecting different blocks of code.
Game – An interactive program designed for entertainment, often involving challenges or puzzles. – Example sentence: We created a simple game in class where you have to catch falling apples using a basket.
Programming – The process of writing instructions for a computer to perform tasks. – Example sentence: Programming can be fun when you see your code come to life on the screen.
Code – A set of instructions written in a programming language that tells a computer what to do. – Example sentence: I wrote some code to make my character jump over obstacles in the game.
Artwork – Visual elements like images or graphics used in a computer program or game. – Example sentence: I drew my own artwork for the background of my video game.
Features – Special characteristics or functions of a computer program or game. – Example sentence: One of the cool features of our game is that you can change the character’s outfit.
Flies – Moves quickly through the air, often used to describe the motion of objects in a game. – Example sentence: In our game, the superhero flies over the city to save people.
Kitchen – A themed setting or background in a game where cooking or food-related activities take place. – Example sentence: We designed a virtual kitchen where players can make their own pizza.
Learn – To gain knowledge or skills, especially in coding or using new software. – Example sentence: I want to learn how to create my own animations using Scratch.
Fun – Enjoyable and entertaining, often describing activities like coding games or creating projects. – Example sentence: Coding with my friends is fun because we get to build cool projects together.
