Pong

1. Setting Up the Game

Creating the Backdrop

Let's set up our game's playing field by creating a simple backdrop.

1 Click on the "Stage" pane in the bottom-right corner.

2 Click the "Backdrops" tab at the top of the middle pane.

3 Choose "Paint" to create a new backdrop.

4 Use the fill tool to color the entire backdrop with a dark color.

Tip: A dark backdrop helps the ball and paddle stand out, making the game easier to play.

2. Creating the Paddle

Interactive Paddle Demo

Move your mouse up and down over this area to see how the paddle would move:

Step 1: Drawing the Paddle

Now, let's create the player's paddle. In Pong, the paddle is usually a simple rectangle.

1 Click the "Choose a Sprite" button at the bottom of the Sprite list.

2 Select "Paint" to create a new sprite.

3 Use the Rectangle tool to draw a tall, thin rectangle.

4 Color it white or any color that contrasts with your backdrop.

5 Name your sprite "Paddle" in the sprite info pane.

Step 2: Positioning the Paddle

Let's position our paddle on the left side of the screen.

1 In the Sprite info pane, set the x position to a negative number (like -200) to move it to the left.

2 Set the y position to 0 to center it vertically.

Step 3: Moving the Paddle

Now, let's make the paddle follow the mouse's vertical movement.

1 Go to the "Code" tab for your Paddle sprite.

2 Drag out a "when green flag clicked" block.

3 Attach a "forever" block underneath it.

4 Inside the forever block, add a "go to x: [] y: []" block.

5 Set the x value to your paddle's x position (like -200).

6 For the y value, use the "mouse y" block.

Explanation: This script continuously updates the paddle's position to match the mouse's y-coordinate, creating smooth vertical movement.

Quick check

Which Scratch block would you use to make the paddle follow the mouse continuously?

3. Adding the Ball

Interactive Ball Movement Demo

Click "Start" to see how the ball would move and bounce:

Step 1: Creating the Ball

Let's create the ball that will bounce around our game.

1 Click the "Choose a Sprite" button and select "Paint".

2 Use the Circle tool to draw a small circle.

3 Color it white or any color that contrasts with the backdrop.

4 Name your sprite "Ball" in the sprite info pane.

Step 2: Making the Ball Move

Now, let's make our ball move around the screen.

1 Go to the "Code" tab for your Ball sprite.

2 Add a "when green flag clicked" block.

3 Attach a "forever" block.

4 Inside the forever block, add a "move 10 steps" block.

5 Add an "if on edge, bounce" block after the move block.

Explanation: This script makes the ball move continuously and bounce off the edges of the screen.

Step 3: Ball and Paddle Interaction

Let's make the ball bounce off the paddle.

1 Inside your forever loop, after the "if on edge, bounce" block, add an "if then" block.

2 In the condition of the if block, add a "touching (Paddle)?" block.

3 Inside the if block, add a "point in direction (pick random (-90) to (90))" block.

Explanation: This makes the ball change to a random direction between straight up and straight down whenever it touches the paddle, creating a bounce effect.

Quick check

What Scratch block would you use to make the ball bounce off the edges of the screen?

4. Scoring and Game Over

Interactive Scoring Demo

Click the ball to simulate scoring points:

Score: 0

Step 1: Creating a Score Variable

Let's add a scoring system to our game.

1 Go to the "Variables" section and click "Make a Variable".

2 Name it "Score" and click OK.

3 In the Ball sprite's script, add a "set Score to 0" block at the beginning of your script (after the green flag block).

Step 2: Increasing the Score

We'll increase the score each time the ball hits the paddle.

1 In the Ball sprite's script, find your "if touching (Paddle)" block.

2 Inside this block, after the "point in direction" block, add a "change Score by 1" block.

Explanation: This increases the score by 1 every time the ball bounces off the paddle.

Step 3: Implementing Game Over

Let's end the game when the ball passes the paddle.

1 In the Ball sprite's script, add an "if then" block after your "if touching (Paddle)" block.

2 In the condition, use a "< [] >" block and fill it with "x position" and "-240".

3 Inside this if block, add a "broadcast (message1)" block and create a new message called "Game Over".

4 Add a "stop all" block after the broadcast block.

Step 4: Creating a Game Over Screen

Let's create a game over message.

1 Create a new sprite and use the text tool to write "Game Over".

2 In this new sprite's script tab, add a "when I receive (Game Over)" block.

3 Attach a "show" block to make the message appear.

4 At the start of your game (in a "when green flag clicked" script), add a "hide" block to ensure the message is hidden initially.

Quick check

When should the "Game Over" message be displayed?

5. Mini-Project: Extend Your Pong Game

Challenge: Enhance Your Pong Game

Now that you've created a basic Pong game, let's make it even better! Here are some ideas to extend your game:

Add sound effects for when the ball hits the paddle or when the player scores.
Create a win condition by setting a score limit (e.g., first to 10 points wins).
Add a second paddle for a 2-player version of the game.
Increase the ball's speed as the game progresses to make it more challenging.
Add power-ups that occasionally appear and give special abilities when collected.

Step-by-Step Guide: Adding Sound Effects

Let's walk through adding a sound effect when the ball hits the paddle:

1 Click on the "Sounds" tab in the Ball sprite.

2 Click "Choose a Sound" and select a suitable sound effect (e.g., "Pop" or "Boing").

3 Go back to the "Code" tab.

4 In your "if touching (Paddle)" block, add a "play sound (your chosen sound)" block.

Tip: You can create your own sounds or import sounds from external sources for a unique game experience!

Ideas for Further Enhancements

Create a start screen with instructions and a "Start Game" button.
Add different levels with increasing difficulty.
Implement a high score system that persists between games.
Create obstacles that appear randomly on the screen.
Add visual effects, like particle systems when the ball hits the paddle.

Share Your Creation!

Once you've enhanced your Pong game, don't forget to share it with others! You can:

Upload it to the Scratch community and share the link with your friends.
Record a video of your game in action and post it on social media.
Present your game and its features to your class or coding club.

Remember, the key to becoming a great programmer is practice and creativity. Keep experimenting and building new things!

Scratch 2 - Lesson 1: Pong Game (1 Player)

Check out the final project below!

What You'll Learn

Game Overview:

Quick check

1. Setting Up the Game

Creating the Backdrop

2. Creating the Paddle

Interactive Paddle Demo

Step 1: Drawing the Paddle

Step 2: Positioning the Paddle

Step 3: Moving the Paddle

Quick check

3. Adding the Ball

Interactive Ball Movement Demo

Step 1: Creating the Ball

Step 2: Making the Ball Move

Step 3: Ball and Paddle Interaction

Quick check

4. Scoring and Game Over

Interactive Scoring Demo

Step 1: Creating a Score Variable

Step 2: Increasing the Score

Step 3: Implementing Game Over

Step 4: Creating a Game Over Screen

Quick check

5. Mini-Project: Extend Your Pong Game

Challenge: Enhance Your Pong Game

Step-by-Step Guide: Adding Sound Effects

Ideas for Further Enhancements

Share Your Creation!