What Is This Book?

Learning to code can be boring and no fun. However, Python Game Development on PixelPAD aims to challenge kids to express themselves, create, think critically, solve problems, and most importantly have fun!

The Balloon Fight is a more advanced platforming game with some kinematic physics involved. This course challenges students to implement gravity, velocity, acceleration, and vector based code. Students will be able to add features, change their sprites and re-skin their game to make it uniquely their own. In addition, students will be able to adjust physics, and how the objects interact with it, and add controls for multiple players.

Each book in this series includes:

• Step-by-Step Learning
• Course Goals
• Learning Outcomes
• Extra Activities
• Glossary
• Challenge questions

Why Should Kids Learn Python?

Python is an expressive and beginner friendly programming language that brings amazing ideas to life! Compared to the majority of languages, Python's syntax is concise and is similar to writing in English. It is also one of the most popular coding languages to learn and is considered to be the language of choice for data science, machine learning, and AI (Artificial Intelligence).

Course Goals & Learning Outcomes

Students have the ability to make a physics based game, using the same rules of physics as in the real world. Students finish with a unique physics based game with custom worlds and features. This book is specially designed to give a basic understanding of computer coding to beginners and aims to teach:

Computational Thinking & Algorithms

• Students understand vectors, and vector addition through x and y velocities
• Students can simulate physics using the physics concepts of velocity, speed, and acceleration
• Students understand how physics in the game are the same as physics in the real world

Creativity

• Students are able to create physics based games, creating action and agility based challenges for the player
• Students can create different features for enemies to make the game more challenging for the player

Prototyping, Testing and Debugging

• Students can for the most part, reliably fix, test, and debug their own program independent from an instructor

Construction

• Students will have the ability to make a full project in PixelPAD, with little support of an instructor

Communication & Collaboration

• Students will be able to read and understand other students code, even if different from theirs
• Students be able to have reflect on other students work, and suggest changes or features

Other Books Part of the PixelPAD Python Game Development Guides for Middle School

1. PixelPAD Python Game Development Guide: Space Shooter (Middle School Edition)
2. PixelPAD Python Game Development Guide: Platformer (Middle School Edition)
3. PixelPAD Python Game Development Guide: Role Playing Game (Middle School Edition)
4. PixelPAD Python Game Development Guide: Balloon Fight (Middle School Edition)
5. PixelPAD Python Game Development Guide: Fruit Slasher (Middle School Edition)
6. PixelPAD Python Game Development Guide: Top Down Strategy (Middle School Edition)