Create A 3D Game In Scratch: A Beginner's Guide

Hey guys! Ever wondered if you could create a 3D game right in Scratch? Well, guess what? You totally can! Scratch is awesome for learning to code because it uses blocks that snap together, making it super easy to understand. This guide will walk you through how to create your very own 3D game in Scratch, even if you're just starting out. We'll cover everything from setting up your project to creating cool 3D effects and making your game interactive. So, buckle up and let's dive into the exciting world of 3D game development with Scratch!

Setting Up Your Scratch Project

First things first, let’s get our Scratch project ready. Open up Scratch in your browser or the desktop app. If you don’t have an account, it’s free and easy to sign up. Once you’re in, click on “Create” to start a new project. The first thing you'll see is the default Scratch cat sprite. For our 3D game, we might want to replace this with something more relevant, but for now, let’s leave it as is. We’re going to focus on the code first and worry about the visuals later. Now, let’s talk about the basics. In Scratch, you control sprites using blocks of code. These blocks are found in different categories like Motion, Looks, Sound, Events, Control, Sensing, Operators, Variables, and My Blocks. Each category has blocks that do different things, like moving a sprite, changing its appearance, or responding to user input. For our 3D game, we’ll be using blocks from several of these categories. One of the most important things to understand in Scratch is the coordinate system. The stage is like a graph, with the X-axis running horizontally and the Y-axis running vertically. The center of the stage is (0, 0). When we create our 3D effect, we'll be manipulating the X and Y coordinates of our sprites to simulate depth. Now, let’s start with a simple script. Go to the “Events” category and drag out a “when green flag clicked” block. This block will start our game when the green flag is clicked. Next, let’s add a “forever” loop from the “Control” category. This loop will make sure our code runs continuously throughout the game. Inside the “forever” loop, we’ll add the code that creates our 3D effect. This involves changing the size and position of our sprites based on their simulated depth. So, that's the basic setup. We have our Scratch project, our sprite, and a basic script that runs when the green flag is clicked. Now, let’s get into the fun part: creating the 3D effect!

Creating the Illusion of 3D

Alright, this is where the magic happens! Creating a 3D effect in Scratch basically involves tricking the eye. We do this by making objects that are further away appear smaller and objects that are closer appear larger. We also need to adjust their vertical position to simulate depth. To start, let’s create a variable called “depth”. Go to the “Variables” category and click on “Make a Variable”. Name it “depth” and click “OK”. This variable will represent how far away an object is from the viewer. Now, let’s go back to our “forever” loop and add some code to change the size of our sprite based on its depth. We’ll use the “set size to” block from the “Looks” category. Drag this block into the “forever” loop. Next, we need to calculate the size based on the depth. We’ll use some math! Go to the “Operators” category and drag out a “/” (division) block. Place this block inside the “set size to” block. Now, we need to divide a constant value by the depth. The constant value will determine how large the sprite appears at a certain depth. Let’s start with 100. So, the expression inside the “set size to” block should look like “100 / depth”. Now, we need to set the value of the “depth” variable. Let’s start with a simple value, like 1. Go to the “Variables” category and drag out a “set depth to” block. Place this block before the “set size to” block inside the “forever” loop. Set the value to 1. Now, when you run the game, the sprite should appear at a certain size based on the depth. To make it more interesting, let’s change the depth over time. Add a “change depth by” block from the “Variables” category. Place this block inside the “forever” loop after the “set size to” block. Set the value to 0.1. Now, when you run the game, the sprite should gradually get smaller as the depth increases. But wait, there’s more! To complete the illusion, we need to adjust the vertical position of the sprite. Add a “set y to” block from the “Motion” category. Place this block inside the “forever” loop after the “change depth by” block. Now, we need to calculate the Y position based on the depth. We’ll use a similar formula to the size calculation. Go to the “Operators” category and drag out a “*” (multiplication) block. Place this block inside the “set y to” block. Now, we need to multiply the depth by a constant value. This value will determine how high or low the sprite appears at a certain depth. Let’s start with 20. So, the expression inside the “set y to” block should look like “depth * 20”. Now, when you run the game, the sprite should not only change size but also move up and down based on its depth. This creates a much more convincing 3D effect! Experiment with different values for the constants to see how they affect the appearance of the sprite. You can also add more sprites and apply the same effect to them. Remember, the key to creating a good 3D illusion is to make the size and position of the objects change smoothly and consistently based on their depth. Keep tweaking the values until you get the effect you want. You can even try adding some perspective by making objects further away appear fainter. Have fun and get creative!

Adding Movement and Interactivity

Okay, now that we have a basic 3D effect, let’s make our game interactive! We want to be able to move around in our 3D world. To do this, we’ll use the arrow keys to control our movement. First, let’s add some code to detect when the arrow keys are pressed. Go to the “Events” category and drag out four “when key pressed” blocks. Set one to “up arrow”, one to “down arrow”, one to “left arrow”, and one to “right arrow”. Now, we need to change the depth based on the arrow keys. When the up arrow is pressed, we want to decrease the depth (move closer), and when the down arrow is pressed, we want to increase the depth (move further away). Go to the “Variables” category and drag out two “change depth by” blocks. Place one inside the “when up arrow key pressed” block and set the value to -1. Place the other inside the “when down arrow key pressed” block and set the value to 1. Now, when you press the up and down arrow keys, the sprite should move closer and further away. But wait, there’s a problem! The sprite moves continuously as long as the key is pressed. We want it to move in discrete steps. To fix this, we can add a short delay after each movement. Go to the “Control” category and drag out a “wait” block. Place this block inside both the “when up arrow key pressed” and “when down arrow key pressed” blocks, after the “change depth by” block. Set the value to 0.1 seconds. Now, when you press the arrow keys, the sprite should move in steps. Next, let’s add some horizontal movement. We’ll use the left and right arrow keys to move the sprite left and right. To do this, we need to introduce another variable called “horizontal position”. Go to the “Variables” category and click on “Make a Variable”. Name it “horizontal position” and click “OK”. Now, we need to change the horizontal position based on the arrow keys. When the left arrow is pressed, we want to decrease the horizontal position (move left), and when the right arrow is pressed, we want to increase the horizontal position (move right). Go to the “Variables” category and drag out two “change horizontal position by” blocks. Place one inside the “when left arrow key pressed” block and set the value to -1. Place the other inside the “when right arrow key pressed” block and set the value to 1. Now, we need to update the X position of the sprite based on the horizontal position. Add a “set x to” block from the “Motion” category. Place this block inside the “forever” loop. Set the value to the “horizontal position” variable. Now, when you press the left and right arrow keys, the sprite should move left and right. And that’s it! You now have basic movement in your 3D game. You can experiment with different values for the movement speed and the delay to get the feel you want. You can also add more complex movement patterns, like jumping or strafing. The possibilities are endless! Remember, the key to creating a good interactive experience is to make the controls responsive and intuitive. Keep testing and tweaking until you get the feel just right. You can even add some sound effects to make the game more immersive. Have fun and get creative!

Adding More Sprites and Complexity

So, you've got the basics down, but let's take things up a notch! Adding more sprites to your 3D game can make it much more interesting and visually appealing. Plus, it opens up a whole new world of gameplay possibilities. First, let’s add a new sprite. Click on the “Choose a Sprite” button in the bottom right corner of the screen. You can choose a sprite from the Scratch library or upload your own. For this example, let’s choose a simple shape like a square or a circle. Once you’ve added the new sprite, you’ll need to apply the same 3D effect to it that we applied to the first sprite. This means creating a new set of variables for the depth and horizontal position of the new sprite. Go to the “Variables” category and click on “Make a Variable”. Name it “depth2” (or any other name you like) and click “OK”. Repeat this process to create a variable for the horizontal position of the new sprite, like “horizontal position 2”. Now, we need to add the code to control the size and position of the new sprite based on its depth and horizontal position. This is similar to the code we added for the first sprite, but we’ll need to use the new variables we just created. Add a “set size to” block from the “Looks” category and set the value to “100 / depth2”. Add a “set y to” block from the “Motion” category and set the value to “depth2 * 20”. Add a “set x to” block from the “Motion” category and set the value to “horizontal position 2”. Now, you need to add the code to control the movement of the new sprite. This is similar to the code we added for the first sprite, but we’ll need to use the new variables and different key presses. For example, you could use the WASD keys to control the movement of the new sprite. Add four “when key pressed” blocks and set them to “w”, “a”, “s”, and “d”. Inside these blocks, add the code to change the depth and horizontal position of the new sprite. Now, you have two sprites moving around in your 3D world! You can add as many sprites as you want, each with its own set of variables and controls. But be careful, adding too many sprites can make your game laggy. To make your game more complex, you can add collision detection. This means detecting when two sprites are touching each other. To do this, you can use the “touching?” block from the “Sensing” category. This block returns true if the specified sprite is touching another sprite. You can use this block to trigger events, like displaying a message or ending the game. You can also add scoring to your game. This means keeping track of the player’s score and displaying it on the screen. To do this, you can create a variable called “score” and increment it whenever the player does something good. You can then display the score using the “say” block from the “Looks” category. And that’s it! You now have the tools to create a complex and engaging 3D game in Scratch. The possibilities are endless! Remember, the key to creating a good game is to have a clear vision and to iterate often. Start with a simple idea and gradually add complexity as you go. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. And most importantly, have fun!

Tips and Tricks for 3D Game Development in Scratch

Alright, you're on your way to becoming a Scratch 3D game guru! But like any skill, there are always tips and tricks that can help you improve. Here are a few to keep in mind as you continue your 3D game development journey in Scratch:

• Optimize Your Code: Scratch can sometimes be a bit slow, especially when dealing with complex 3D effects. To improve performance, try to optimize your code. This means reducing the number of blocks you use and avoiding unnecessary calculations. For example, if you're using a “forever” loop, make sure the code inside the loop is as efficient as possible. Also, try to avoid using too many “if” statements, as they can slow down your game.
• Use Custom Blocks: Custom blocks are a great way to organize your code and make it more readable. They also allow you to reuse code in multiple places. To create a custom block, go to the “My Blocks” category and click on “Make a Block”. Give your block a name and add any necessary inputs. Then, add the code that you want to be executed when the block is called. You can then use the custom block just like any other block in Scratch.
• Experiment with Different Visual Effects: The 3D effect in Scratch is created by manipulating the size and position of sprites. But you can also experiment with other visual effects to make your game more appealing. For example, you can use the “color effect” block from the “Looks” category to change the color of your sprites. You can also use the “ghost effect” block to make your sprites transparent. And you can use the “pixelate effect” block to give your sprites a retro look. Try combining different visual effects to create unique and interesting visuals.
• Use Sound Effects and Music: Sound effects and music can greatly enhance the immersive experience of your game. Scratch has a built-in sound library that you can use to add sound effects and music to your game. You can also upload your own sounds. To add a sound, go to the “Sound” category and click on “Choose a Sound”. Then, add the “play sound” block to your code. You can also use the “stop all sounds” block to stop all sounds from playing.
• Get Feedback and Iterate: The best way to improve your game is to get feedback from other people. Show your game to your friends and family and ask them what they think. What do they like? What do they not like? What could be improved? Use this feedback to iterate on your game and make it better. Don’t be afraid to make changes and try new things. The more you iterate, the better your game will become.
• Explore Tutorials and Examples: There are many great tutorials and examples online that can help you learn more about 3D game development in Scratch. Search for tutorials on YouTube or Google. You can also find examples of 3D games in the Scratch community. Study these examples and try to understand how they work. Then, use what you’ve learned to create your own games.

By following these tips and tricks, you can take your 3D game development skills in Scratch to the next level. Remember, the key is to keep learning, experimenting, and iterating. The more you practice, the better you’ll become. So, get out there and start creating awesome 3D games in Scratch! You got this!