Python has become incredibly popular, even more so than some celebrities. Despite being a high-level language that can be relatively slow, its ease of use and productivity make it a favorite among developers. Recently, I decided to create a game without using a game engine. With the holidays approaching and a new baby in the family, it seemed like the perfect time to dive into this project.
To develop a game in Python, you need a framework, which is essentially a library of code that simplifies complex tasks. I chose Pygame because it’s widely used and the only one I was familiar with. After installing Python and Pygame, I spent some time experimenting with text formatting to make it look appealing.
Once I was ready to start, I realized I had no idea what kind of game to create. I turned to my wife for some holiday-themed ideas. After rolling a six-sided die, we settled on a present theme. Although I initially hoped for a hot cocoa or snowman theme, I was excited to get started.
I began experimenting with Pygame, setting my first goal to create a blue background. Once I achieved that, I felt ready to add more elements. I decided to illustrate a present character for the game, which was a bit awkward to record. However, I managed to create a cute character and exported it as a PNG file.
Next, I delved into Pygame’s documentation to learn how to draw a sprite. I created a class for the player character, allowing it to move around the screen. At this point, I still didn’t have a clear idea for the gameplay. I wanted to keep the controls simple, and after some brainstorming, I thought it would be fun if the goal was to avoid hands trying to grab the present. I came up with the title “Don’t Touch My Present.”
I illustrated cartoon hands for the game, and after some revisions, I created a design that I was happy with. I also mocked up a menu and a scorecard to display points. I then imported the new artwork into my code and added the scoring system.
To enhance the gameplay, I created a new class for the hands, giving them movement and implementing a technique to reset their coordinates when they went off-screen, allowing for infinite hands. I then added four-directional movement for the player, making the controls feel more fluid.
I learned how to code a sine wave and applied it throughout the game for various elements. As I approached the finish line, I realized I needed to implement a collision system, which Pygame made easy. Now, when the player collides with the hands, the game resets.
One of the final touches was transforming the present into a hand holding a present, which added a fun element to the game. I found myself enjoying the game more than I expected, playtesting it frequently.
To complete the game, I added sound effects and music. I even enlisted my wife for some voice acting. While I initially planned to compose the music myself, I opted for familiar Christmas MIDI tracks mixed with a DS sound font. Some of the sounds were a bit quirky, but I found that certain sound fonts worked well with the music.
After fixing a few bugs, the game was complete. If you’d like to try it out, feel free to visit my page. Overall, I give Pygame two thumbs up for its ease of use and fun experience. Let me know your high score in the comments, and a big thank you to my Patreon supporters. That’s it for this week; see you next time!
Start by installing Python and Pygame on your computer. Create a simple script that opens a window with a colored background. Experiment with different colors and window sizes to get comfortable with the basics of Pygame.
Use a graphic design tool to create a simple character for your game. Export it as a PNG file and import it into your Pygame project. Write a Python class to represent your character and display it on the screen.
Develop a simple game mechanic where your character can move around the screen using keyboard inputs. Use Pygame’s event handling to detect key presses and update your character’s position accordingly.
Add a scoring system to your game. Display the score on the screen and update it based on certain actions, such as avoiding obstacles or collecting items. Use Pygame’s font module to render text on the screen.
Enhance your game by adding sound effects and background music. Use Pygame’s mixer module to load and play audio files. Experiment with different sounds to find the ones that best fit your game’s theme.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Python is very popular nowadays, even more so than some celebrities. Despite being a high-level language that is relatively slow, its ease of use and productivity make it a favorite among many developers. Recently, I wanted to create a game without using a game engine, and with the holidays and a new baby, I thought it was the perfect time to dive in.
To make a game in Python, you need to use a framework, which is essentially a library of code that handles the complex parts for you. I chose Pygame because it’s widely used and the only one I’m familiar with. After installing Python and Pygame, I spent some time trying to make the text look nice.
Once I was ready to start, I realized I had no idea what kind of game to create. So, I asked my wife for some holiday-themed ideas. After rolling a six-sided die, we settled on a present theme. I was initially hoping for a hot cocoa or snowman theme, but I was just excited to get started.
I jumped into Pygame and began experimenting. My first goal was to create a blue background, and once I achieved that, I felt ready to add more elements. I decided to illustrate a present character for the game, which turned out to be a bit awkward to record. However, I managed to create a cute character and exported it as a PNG.
Next, I looked into Pygame’s documentation to learn how to draw a sprite. I created a class for the player character, allowing it to move around the screen. At this point, I still didn’t have a clear idea for the gameplay. I wanted to keep the controls simple, and after some brainstorming, I thought it would be fun if the goal was to avoid hands trying to grab the present. I came up with the title “Don’t Touch My Present.”
I illustrated cartoon hands for the game, and after some revisions, I created a design that I was happy with. I also mocked up a menu and a scorecard to display points. I then imported the new artwork into my code and added the scoring system.
To enhance the gameplay, I created a new class for the hands, giving them movement and implementing a technique to reset their coordinates when they went off-screen, allowing for infinite hands. I then added four-directional movement for the player, making the controls feel more fluid.
I learned how to code a sine wave and applied it throughout the game for various elements. As I approached the finish line, I realized I needed to implement a collision system, which Pygame made easy. Now, when the player collides with the hands, the game resets.
One of the final touches was transforming the present into a hand holding a present, which added a fun element to the game. I found myself enjoying the game more than I expected, playtesting it frequently.
To complete the game, I added sound effects and music. I even enlisted my wife for some voice acting. While I initially planned to compose the music myself, I opted for familiar Christmas MIDI tracks mixed with a DS sound font. Some of the sounds were a bit quirky, but I found that certain sound fonts worked well with the music.
After fixing a few bugs, the game was complete. If you’d like to try it out, feel free to visit my page. Overall, I give Pygame two thumbs up for its ease of use and fun experience. Let me know your high score in the comments, and a big thank you to my Patreon supporters. That’s it for this week; see you next time!
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This version removes informal language and maintains a professional tone while preserving the essence of the original content.
Python – A high-level programming language known for its readability and versatility, widely used in web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and more. – Python is often the first language taught in computer science courses due to its simplicity and ease of learning.
Pygame – A set of Python modules designed for writing video games, providing functionalities like graphics, sound, and input handling. – Using Pygame, students can create simple 2D games to understand the basics of game development.
Game – An interactive application or software designed for entertainment, often involving a set of rules and objectives. – Developing a game requires a good understanding of both programming and design principles.
Coding – The process of writing instructions for computers using programming languages. – Coding is a fundamental skill for computer science students, enabling them to create software applications.
Sprite – A two-dimensional image or animation that is integrated into a larger scene, often used in video games. – In Pygame, sprites are used to represent characters and objects that interact within the game environment.
Controls – The input mechanisms through which a player interacts with a game, such as keyboard keys or mouse movements. – Implementing intuitive controls is crucial for enhancing the user experience in a game.
Gameplay – The experience of playing a game, encompassing the mechanics, rules, and challenges that define the player’s interaction. – Good gameplay design keeps players engaged and motivated to continue playing.
Collision – A situation in a game where two or more objects come into contact, often triggering a response or event. – Detecting collision between sprites is essential for creating interactive and dynamic game environments.
Sound – Audio elements used in games to enhance the atmosphere, provide feedback, or convey information to the player. – Adding sound effects can significantly improve the immersion and realism of a game.
Library – A collection of pre-written code that developers can use to optimize and simplify the development process. – Pygame is a popular library that provides tools for handling graphics and sound in Python games.
