How can I use Scratch to create a multiplayer game?
Using Scratch (http://info.scratch.mit.edu/Scratch_1.4_Download), you will be creating a game that
can be played by more than one person at the same time. This is known as a multiplayer game. The
project will take three weeks. In the first week you will watch a series of online videos that will take
you through making a multiplayer game. The second week will see you design and make your own
multiplayer game. In the final week you will test and refine your game.
You will need access to a computer throughout the project. Should you have trouble doing this you
must see Mr Randall or Mr Seruwo immediately. Remember at school we have a Home Learning and
ICT club where computers with Scratch are available.
You may find it fun doing the first week together with an adult who might recognise the Pong game!
Night Tasks Week 1
1
KQ How can you create a background and sprite in Scratch?
Core Task Watch http://www.teach-ict.net/ks3/djp/scratch/pong/vid1backandpaddles.html
Recreate what you see in your own version of Scratch.
Creating a game with guidance (http://www.teachict.com/ks3/djp/scratch/pong/pong.html )
Extension Task
1. Create a second background (Hint: Use the “Copy” button to make an exact
replica of your first background which you can then edit).
2. Change the look of the bat/paddles.
3. Change how much the Y value changes to make it slower or faster to move
the bat/paddle.
4. High level: How could you stop the paddles moving off the edge of the
background?
2
KQ How do you move a sprite in a random direction?
Core Task Watch http://www.teach-ict.net/ks3/djp/scratch/pong/vid2movingtheball.html
Recreate what you see in your own version of Scratch.
Extension Task
1. Create your own ball rather than import an existing one
2. Change the number of steps the ball moves to either slow or speed it up
3. Higher level: Could you change the game so it starts with the ball either
going left OR right?
3
KQ How can you make decisions that change the direction of a sprite in Scratch?
Core Task Watch http://www.teach-ict.net/ks3/djp/scratch/pong/vid3hitpaddle.html
Recreate what you see in your own version of Scratch.
Extension Task
1. Higher level: Sometimes if the ball is moving too horizontally no matter
how many times you hit it with the paddle it does not change the ball’s
path from horizontal. How could you fix this problem? (Hint: Does it always
need to be 360 or could you use a random number?).
4
KQ How can you use a variable to keep a score?
Core Task Watch http://www.teach-ict.net/ks3/djp/scratch/pong/vid4score.html
Recreate what you see in your own version of Scratch.
Extension Task
1. Listen to the extension task he gives you at 13m 25secs. Can you do that?
5
KQ How do you add or make your own sounds in Scratch?
Core Task Although you should have learned how to add sounds at school,
watch this video to remind you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtqXNGuOADU
Now add some sound to your game. For example if the paddle touches the ball or if
the ball touches a score zone.
Extension Task Watch http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/Larry828/908057
Could you add a
to the game that does something
one of
the player’s score gets above 10(
)? For
example, the background could change or the game could stop (To stop the game
use
command the under
)
That’s the game and first week finished. Upload your saved Pong game to the assignment for this
week on edmodo. (www.edmodo.com)
For the next week you will design and make your own game that can be played by more than one
person. If you need help you can always use the “Starting From Scratch” help document on edmodo
or the reference card online at: http://info.scratch.mit.edu/Support/Reference_Guide_1.4
Night Tasks Week 2
1
KQ How can you plan your game accurately?
Core Task Think about what you can do in Scratch. Now think about what sort of
Designing and making your game
games you could make in Scratch that could have two or more players (multiplayer).
Decide on one simple multiplayer game you could make then copy and paste the
following questions to another document and answer them. Save those answers as
you will need to upload them with your finished game at the end of the week.
1. What is the name of your game?
2. What is the aim or point of the game? How many players will play it?
3. What will the background look like? Is there more than one background?
(Looks)
4. What sprites will you need? What will they look like? Any costumes? (Looks)
5. How will you move the sprites about? (Motion)
6. What will happen if sprites or background touch each other? (Sensing)
7. Will there be any score or timer or any other number than can change?
(Variables)
8. Will there be any sounds? When will they play? (Sounds)
9. High Level: Will there be any new levels or events that happen using
broadcasts?
10. High Level: Will there be any random numbers needed?
Extension Task How will your code work? What order will it be in? To help you
answer those questions try drawing a flow chart. What is a flow chart? Look here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/measurecontrol/2systemflowchartrev1.shtml
2
KQ What will your background and sprites look like?
Core Task Use today to create all the sprites and backgrounds you will need.
Extension Task Create your own or add different costumes for your sprites and
more than one background.
3
KQ How will the sprites be controlled?
Core Task Add scripts and commands to allow the sprites to be controlled and
move around the background.
Extension Task Combine movement with changing costumes or playing sounds
4
KQ What decisions will your game need to make?
Core Task Create the code that will make decisions for your game. This could be if
a sprite touches another sprite or a colour. You will most likely use one or more
commands with some sort of
command.
Extension Task Will you need any random numbers to allow the game to play
differently each time? Add some if you can.
5
KQ What numbers need to change in your game?
Core Task Add some sort of score or timer to your game. Also add at least one
sound.
Extension Task Create a broadcast that causes something to happen in your
game. Examples could be if a certain score is reached or time runs out.
That’s your own game and second week finished. Upload your saved game and planning from night
one to the assignment for this week on edmodo. (www.edmodo.com)
For the final week you will now test, evaluate and improve your game.
Night Tasks Week 3
1
KQ Can you use Self-assessment to improve your game?
Refine and evaluate
Core Task Play through your game. Does it all work? Are there any bugs you can
find? Does it work as well as you planned? Write down what you think went well
and what could’ve gone better. Save this as you will need to upload this to edmodo
at the end of the week.
Extension Task Aim to have at least four things you think went well and four
that could have gone better. Record these somewhere.
2
KQ Can you use Self-assessment to improve your game?
Core Task Save your current game (File..SaveAs) with a different name like “Pong
version 2” or “Space Attack second draft” as you will now improve this game and
will not want to overwrite the first draft of your game.
Consider what you think could have gone better and change your game so that you
can remove one of those. Save the now changed game as you will need to upload
this to edmodo at the end of the week.
Extension Task Make as many changes as you can so that very few or no “what
could have gone betters” remain.
3
KQ Can you use Peer-assessment to improve your game?
Core Task Ask someone at home to play your game. What do they think went
well? What do they think could have gone better? Record what they say.
Extension Task Ask someone else (of a different age group if possible) what
they think went well and what could have gone better. Record what they say.
4
KQ Can you use Peer-assessment to improve your game?
Core Task Now consider what the person who gave you feedback yesterday said
about what could have gone better and change your game so that you can remove
one of those. Save the new game as a different name (File..SaveAs) like “Pong
version 3” or “Space Attack third draft” as you will not want to overwrite the
second draft of your game. This version of the game should also be uploaded to
edmodo at the end of the week.
Extension Task Based on what feedback you have received, make as many
changes as you can so that very few or no “what could have gone betters” remain.
Save a copy of this.
5
KQ Do you know what grade you are going to get for your homework?
Core Task Use the assessment grid below and fill in what you think you have
completed. Before you can fill in a box you must make sure you have proof of that
task, for example you wrote down what feedback you got or what planning you
made.
Extension Task Look at what level you have got. Could you improve that level
by doing one more tasks on the assessment grid? If so, action them and record
what you changed.
Assessment Grid
Level 4
Do you have
proof of this?
You have used basic planning
You have refined your work based on feedback
You have uploaded all your games to edmodo
Most of your game works and you have proved this
You have sprites that move
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Level 5
You try some Scratch skills on your own
You have used appropriate backgrounds and sprites
You have planned your game in detail (identified an aim,
talked about sprites, backgrounds, any variables, eg score,
timer)
You evaluated your work (EBI/WWW)
Your game uses costumes, sensing and sprites you can
control
Your game also uses sound
You have justified any decisions you made
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Higher Levels
All of your scratch game works and you have shown the
testing
You have spoken about what scripts and commands you
used
You can justify and explain the use of advanced features
(Variables, Broadcasts, Operators and Random numbers)
Level you think you will get _______
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Parent’s Assessment (please add a comment about your son/ daughters work)
What went well:
What could have gone better: