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!

Students create the game Fruit Slasher, and learn how to make a game that is designed for mobile. In the game, fruit will fly through the screen and players have to tap it to get a higher score. Students will be able to adjust features, change their sprites and re-skin their game to make it uniquely their own. In addition, they will be able to create custom fruits, power-ups and spawning mechanics.

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 create more advanced types of games in PixelPAD, similar to professional games on the market.
Students finish with a game that can be played on a mobile device. This book is specially designed to give a basic understanding of computer coding to beginners and aims to teach:

Computational Thinking & Algorithms

• Students can understand development differences when developing in mobile environment particularly when it comes to user interface and user design
• Students understand and can apply loops in code
• Students understand and can apply loops in combination with arrays

Creativity

• Students understand and can create games similar to some games they know, and extend those games with features of their own

Prototyping, Testing and Debugging

• Students are able to look at a problem and break it down in a series of sub-problems

Construction

• Students understand and can create games for multiple platforms in PixelPAD, without the support of an instructor

Communication & Collaboration

• Students are able to reflect on other students code, and assist other by helping them debug their code

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)