Coding games in Scratch : a step-by-step visual guide to building your own computer games

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Title:

Coding games in Scratch : a step-by-step visual guide to building your own computer games

Author:

Woodcock, Jon author.

ISBN:

9781465439352

Edition:

First American edition.

Physical Description:

224 pages : color illustrations ; 24 cm

General Note:

Subtitle from cover.

Includes index.

Contents:

Computer Games -- Getting Started -- Star Hunter -- Cheese Chase -- Circle Wars -- Jumpy Monkey -- Doom On The Broom -- Dog's Dinner -- Glacier Race -- Tropical Tunes -- What Next? -- Glossary & Index.

Reading Level:

940 L Lexile

Subject Term:

Scratch (Computer program language).

Video games -- Programming

Computer programming.

Summary:

"If you like playing computer games, why not create your own? This book has all you need to build thrilling racing challenges, crazy platform games, and fiendish puzzles,"--page [4] of cover.

Coding computer programs is one of the most valuable skills for anyone to have. Written for children with little to no coding experience,Coding Games with Scratch guides children through building platform games, puzzles, racers, and 3-D action games. Schools have incorporated computer coding into their curriculum, beginning as early as kindergarten to ensure students understand the languages and uses of computer coding. The step-by-step guides are simple and easy to follow with Minecraft-style pixel art. Children will learn essential coding skills while having fun and creating games to play with their friends. The many different styles and types of games are covered, such as classic and arcade games. When people learn to code in Scratch, they learn important strategies for solving problems, designing projects, and communicating ideas. Coding Games with Scratch empowers children to be creative and to have fun while teaching them practical real-life skills.

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Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Lake Elmo Library	J 005.133 WOO	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Oakdale Library	J 005.133 WOO	Searching... Unknown
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury)	J 005.133 WOO	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Stillwater Public Library	J 005.133 WOO	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

Everyone can be a computer whiz with the ultimate beginner's guide to coding.

This visual reference book is the perfect introduction to computer programming, with all you need to create single and multiplayer computer games, platformers, mazes, brainteasers, races, and much more.

The complexities of coding become clear and simple by following the numbered steps to build eight fantastic games using the Scratch programming language. Essential coding and computer science concepts are explained along the way as you build, test, and customize your new games.

This essential guide supports STEM education goals by helping you plan and design projects, test and improve prototypes, communicate ideas and think creatively - all while creating games to enjoy playing with friends and family.

As long as you have a desktop or laptop computer and an internet connection to download Scratch, you're ready to go!

What are you waiting for? Let the games begin...

Author Notes

Dr. Jon Woodcock has a degree in Physics from the University of Oxford and a PhD in Computational Astrophysics from the University of London. He started coding at the age of eight and has programmed all kinds of computers from single-chip microcontrollers to world-class supercomputers. His many projects include giant space simulations, research in high-tech companies, and intelligent robots made from junk. Jon has a passion for science and technology education, giving talks on space and running computer programming clubs in schools. He has worked on numerous science and technology books as a contributor and consultant, including DK's How Cool Stuff Works and Help Your Kids with Computer Coding .

Reviews (2)

Kirkus Review

A comprehensive guide to creating games in Scratch, a beginner-oriented programming language that uses visual blocks instead of raw code. Woodcock begins by contextualizing computer games (explaining their elements, genres, and how computers think) and introducing Scratch (explaining its building blocks and how to acquire it and providing a rundown of what each part of the Scratch control window means). After this introduction, the book quickly has readers programming interactive games with animated characters, enemies, and scoring systems galore. Each of the eight games given (including mazes, jumping games, music patterns, races, and more) starts with a screenshot of the finished game that explains the roles of the characters and players' objectives. Clear text and screenshotsof both code blocks and game visualsthen walk readers through each increasingly complicated programming step. While sometimes pages are information-dense, the steps' numbering is easy to follow. Frequently, readers create their own images instead of using preprogrammed ones. What's especially nice about the instructions is that they aren't framed as "do this, then this"they fully explain why (right down to meanings of number variables) and provide fixes for anticipated bugs. Each game chapter ends with a "Hacks and tweaks" section suggesting further customizations, sometimes building off previous chapters' code. A "What Next?" chapter directs readers toward potential futures as programmers, be it hobbyist or professional. An absolutely wonderful introduction to programming games. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 7 up) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

With so much focus on kids and coding, it was high time for a detailed, interesting, comprehensible instruction guide targeted at middle-grade gamers in the making (and, hey, adults, too no shame). The first two chapters provide a basic introduction to gaming on the whole and the Scratch platform. After that, it's eight chapters of step-by-step coding of different types of games, including treasure hunts, mazes, jumping platforms, and races. Starting with a screenshot of the end result, each chapter is written with clear instructions and plenty of images that make coding just about foolproof, and at no point in time does the reader feel patronized. In fact, the instructions tell you not just the how-tos but also the whys, and every chapter ends with a Hacks and Tweaks section for more advanced work. Readers will walk away with a solid grasp of Scratch and the building blocks to bigger things. A great purchase for patron use, or even for curious library staff wanting to dip their toes into coding.--Linsenmeyer, Erin Copyright 2016 Booklist

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Reviews (2)

Kirkus Review

Booklist Review

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