How to Make a Basic Platformer

A platformer is a simulation of actual physics that take place in real life. Objects fall, move, slide, jump, and bounce, and a platformer associates those properties into a game in which one controls a character and tries to move it toward a goal. This tutorial will explain how to make a basic platformer.

Creating the Platformer Sprite

The platformer sprite is the avatar controlled by the player. Its appearance can affect gameplay slightly, depending on the angles and size of its Costumes. For example, a character shouldn't be saved from a fall because the brim of her hat snagged on the edge of a cliff. Sprites that are animated by lots of costume changes are even more tricky, as a changing costume might get pulled inside the ground and get stuck.

Below is an example of a simple script for a platformer sprite. It uses two variables:

1. "X velocity" stores a value representing the sprite's horizontal speed. It was set as a local variable by checking the option "For this sprite only" in the creation dialog. This means (i) the variable can only be changed by scripts in the same sprite, (ii) the variable name does not needlessly clutter the variable pane of other sprites, and (iii) the same variable name may be used in other sprites without causing conflicts.
2. "Gravity" stores a value reflecting the strength of the sprite's tendency to fall. In this example it is set as a negative number because moving a sprite downwards requires making the value of its Y position smaller. "Gravity" need not be set as a local variable; a realistic game would subject all its characters to the same gravitational force.<ref>wikipedia:Galileo's Leaning Tower of Pisa experiment</ref>

when green flag clicked
set [gravity v] to [-5]
forever
   if <key (left arrow v) pressed?> then // using "else" saves processing later ifs unnecessary
     set [x velocity v] to [-4]
  else
     if <key (right arrow v) pressed?> then
       set [x velocity v] to [4]
    else
       set [x velocity v] to [0] // no arrow keys means no movement
    end
  end
  if <not <touching (ground sprite v)?>> then // sprite falls till touching ground
     change y by (gravity)
  end
  change x by (x velocity)
end

Walking

Here is the code for platformer walking.

when green flag clicked
forever
if <key (a v) pressed?> then
  change [velocity v] by (-1)
  end
if <key (d v) pressed?> then
  change [velocity v] by (1)
  end
speed cap (5)::custom
change x by (velocity)

define speed cap (max speed)
if <(velocity) > (max speed)> then
  set [velocity v] to (max speed)
  end
if <(velocity) < ((max speed) * (-1))> then
  set [velocity v] to ((max speed) * (-1))
  end
set [velocity v] to ((velocity)*(0.9))

Jumping

To jump, use this code:

when green flag clicked
forever
if <key (up arrow v) pressed?> then // the jumping key
repeat [10]
change y by [15]
end
repeat until <touching (ground sprite v)>
change y by [-5]
end
end
end

Making Levels

Colors can be used in a platform for detection of the end of a level or an object which sends one back to the beginning of the level. For this tutorial, assume the following:

• The character sprite performing the physics is named "Player"
• Black is the color of the platform, or ground and walls, in which the character cannot pass through
• Red is the color that sends one back to the beginning of the level they are on
• Yellow is the color which must be reached to move on to the next level
• Backgrounds are used as levels instead of sprites
• Scrolling is not incorporated

The shapes do not need to be geometric, but can be organic, meaning an unordinary, inconsistent structure. There can be curvature to the various colors and platforms, which can be used to create diverse, numerous levels. The following image displays an example of some organic shapes being used:

When the levels are finished, add the following script to the "Player" sprite:

when gf clicked
forever
if <touching color [#FF0000]?> then//if in contact with the color red
go to x:(-180) y:(-47) // relocate to the start
end
if <touching color [#FFFF00]?> then//if at the end of a level
go to x:(-180) y:(-47) // relocate to the start
switch backdrop to (next backdrop v)// next level
end

The scripts within the "forever" loop can be merged with the larger physics script shown farther above. Merging the scripts reduces the amount of conditions being checked at once and can possibly make the project more uniform and orderly, meaning the "Player" makes each movement and then checks for the conditions instead of the conditions possibly being checked during the sprite's movement.

Then add the following script to any sprite:

when gf clicked
switch backdrop to (level 1 v)//begin with the first level

Lastly, add the following script to the "Player" sprite:

when gf clicked
show
wait until <([backdrop # v] of [Stage v]) = (amount of backdrops)>//wait until the last level is reached
stop [all v]

Making the Win Background

Last of all, comes the win background. After finishing all the levels in the platformer, something would come up that says something like "You Win!". Put it as the last costume in the sprite/background. It can be some text in a basic white background saying "You win" or the art can be complex.

See Also

• Advanced Platformer Physics — a tutorial on how to make a more realistic platformer
• Scrolling Platformer Tutorial — a tutorial on how to make a scrolling platformer
• Creating a Final Boss Sprite — a tutorial on how to add a final boss sprite to a platformer