Module 4: Introduction to MakeCode Arcade

[Pat Brennan]

Share the link to your game here and write a paragraph (150 words minimum) as a Reply to this post on the curricular inspiration for your game within this. Include location, player, enemy and food in your game.
Also please look at one other participant’s game and provide feedback.

Please Note:  Participants who use Word to write their assignments and then copy and paste these into the forum may find that additional extraneous formatting is brought across. To avoid this, either right click in the post window and choose ‘Paste as Plain Text’ or use the keyboard shortcut cmd+shift+v. Alternatively, you can first paste the content into Notepad (Or similar) and then copy it from here to the topic window.

[Claire Greene]

https://makecode.com/_iih3vPXJ68X4

 

Location – Mole Hunt Grid.

Player – Moving Character.

Enemy – Timer.

Food – Tag the mole and earn points.

 

I chose to use the step-by-step tutorial on Microsoft’s Make Code to design this simple game. I was drawn to the fun, relatable carnival interface and believe the children would enjoy this simple mole-chasing game.

 

The curricular inspiration behind the game was to provide free choice and exploration to the children. In doing so, I believe the children will gain significant exposure to all the elements they need to successfully create their own game using MakeCode Arcade. The game provides many opportunities for the children to edit, change and develop as their computer science concepts progress. Using technology in this engaging and interactive manner across subject areas challenges the children with projects that aim to build creativity, computational thinking, and collaboration skills.

[Sandra Costello]

I really enjoyed being introduced to a different game style. It was good to find out that there are tutorials to help create other games. Thank you for sharing.

[Gillian Diamond]

Good to know and see different style of games. The tutorials are great introductions to these.

[Fiona Woods]

Hi Claire

A really fun game, brings me back to playing a similar unplugged one of this many years ago.  The pupils would love trying this work.  Would really help with grid work in Geography and maths too.

Fiona

[David Greene]

Claire this was super. So fun and great to see a different style of game too. Very impressed and one I’ll definitely show my class when I begin these lessons. I’m gonna go back for another game, very addictive. Go on the Greenes!

[Claire Greene]

<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>https://makecode.com/_iih3vPXJ68X4 </span></p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #262626; min-height: 12px;”></p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”><span style=”font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;”><b>Location</b> – </span>Mole Hunt Grid.</p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”><span style=”font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;”><b>Player – </b>M</span>oving Character.</p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”><b>Enemy</b> – Timer.</p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”><span style=”font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;”><b>Food – </b>T</span>ag the mole and earn points.</p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #262626; min-height: 12px;”></p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”>I chose to use the step-by-step tutorial on Microsoft’s Make Code to design this simple game. I was drawn to the fun, relatable carnival interface and believe the children would enjoy this simple mole-chasing game.</p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000; min-height: 12px;”></p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”>The curricular inspiration behind the game was to provide free choice and exploration to the children. In doing so, I believe the children will gain significant exposure to all the elements they need to successfully create their own game using MakeCode Arcade. The game provides many opportunities for the children to edit, change and develop as their computer science concepts progress. Using technology in this engaging and interactive manner across subject areas challenges the children with projects that aim to build creativity, computational thinking, and collaboration skills.</p>

[Claire Greene]

<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>https://makecode.com/_iih3vPXJ68X4 </span></p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”><span style=”font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;”><b>Location</b> – </span>Mole Hunt Grid.</p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”><span style=”font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;”><b>Player – </b>M</span>oving Character.</p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”><b>Enemy</b> – Timer.</p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”><span style=”font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;”><b>Food – </b>T</span>ag the mole and earn points.</p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”>I chose to use the step-by-step tutorial on Microsoft’s Make Code to design this simple game. I was drawn to the fun, relatable carnival interface and believe the children would enjoy this simple mole-chasing game.</p>
<p style=”margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: ‘Helvetica Neue’; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #000000;”>The curricular inspiration behind the game was to provide free choice and exploration to the children. In doing so, I believe the children will gain significant exposure to all the elements they need to successfully create their own game using MakeCode Arcade. The game provides many opportunities for the children to edit, change and develop as their computer science concepts progress. Using technology in this engaging and interactive manner across subject areas challenges the children with projects that aim to build creativity, computational thinking, and collaboration skills.</p>

[Sandra Costello]

Link to make code arcade – Goldilocks

https://arcade.makecode.com/S92306-97297-22959-19213

Character – Goldilocks

Location – woods

Enemy- Wolf

Food – porridge

My stimulus for this lesson was based on fairytale stories. I felt that this could be used as a stimulus for pupils to choose another fairytale and create a game based on the story. Also, I felt by  using a story as a basis then we could use a novel as a stimulus too and pupils create a game relating to the novel which could encourage discussion on the story.

 

[Fiona Woods]

https://makecode.com/_d8wKWsYgjAKV

Location: New York
Main Character: Dandy
Enemy: Monster
Food: Hot Dog
The idea behind this work would come from prior class work and it would integrate the curricular areas of Geography, History and Literacy, Science and visual artwork. The game has a setting of New York as the class would be learning about the city of New York and America, considering the structure of the city, places, events, culture, food, music and sports. This would involve pair project work, completing an unplugged project together on this Geography work.
Our work would provide opportunities for Story boarding to plan and prepare for literacy and narrative writing. This work would allow for story development and character creation, with our main character, the monster and the hot dog.
Our work would integrate Science and the creation, design and construction of tower blocks, to test the strength of materials used and to provide for visual art opportunities.

[Grainne Trears]

Nice idea to tie the game in with a location – this could be a lovely link with a literacy novel like the London Eye Mystery/Peter Pan/Mary Poppins (London).

I liked the way your game gave enough time for the player to feel successful.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Fiona,

Thank you for your post here and for sharing your MakeCode with us. I love how you have shown a level of creativity in creating a location for your project. Like Gráinne above, I feel like this is a very clever idea. As you have outlined in your post, there is a huge body of work which could be completed around this, which ties in with so many curricular areas. This type of activity develops STEM skills, but also promotes the development of language around the specific topic, which is hugely beneficial.

[Kerri McArdle]

Hi Fiona,

This looks like a great game, it was actually really easy to play and I enjoyed playing it! As a game it was achievable to win so it would appeal to all children!

Thanks,
Kerri

[Grainne Trears]

https://makecode.com/_irxPPFVCrEfp

location: space
player: rocket
enemy: asteroid
food: Earth

Initially in my head I was planning on a game that a pupil would need to catch all the planets before winning the game (and learning the planet names) but that was complicated to do so instead the aim changed to just getting back to Earth. Lesson learned, keep game ideas simple.

Curricular Subject: History, Continuity and Change Over Time. Strand Unit Transport
OR
Geography: Natural Environment, Strand Unit Planet Earth in Space

Last week there was talk about Russia launching a lunar lander in a race to find water on the moon. This game could be a great starter activity to spark interest in the topic of space and all the learning around it.
Important historical dates could be timelines: the first satellite, first photo of earth, first man/woman/animal in space, 1969 moon landing etc.
What caused the dinosaurs to become extinct?

I enjoyed making this simple game and can see how children would be highly motivated

[Dara Daly]

I really like this one Grainne, the graphics and set up were all really clear to see and obviously all play on the theme, and I think it’s one that you could use to work into so many different units or topics for any class level. Works very smoothly too!

[Gillian Diamond]

https://makecode.com/_8ek2tof2uFih

 

Location – Library

Player – Librarian

Enemy – Child

Food – Books

 

Curricular link – Literacy, Alphabetical Order

The children learning bout alphabetical order as the librarian have to put the books in alphabetical order before the child (enemy) pulls out the books and puts them back in the wrong order.

[Gillian Diamond]

https://makecode.com/_8ek2tof2uFih

 

 

 

Location – Library

Player – Librarian

Enemy – Child

Food – Books

[Gillian Diamond]

https://makecode.com/_VPKJLDDwDEox

[Gillian Diamond]

I intend for this game to be used as a reinforcement for children who have learned about alphabetical order . In this game the librarian is the player who has to try to keep the books in alphabetical order while the enemy( child) pulls the books (food) off the shelf. The location is a library.

I like to use games like this as a reinforcement tool especially with a task like alphabetical order as it is not the most exciting content as a written activity for children.

 

[David Greene]

https://arcade.makecode.com/S44945-29619-32294-39023

 

Location – Forest

 

Player – Mr. Greene

 

Enemy – The Litter Bug

 

Food – Litter

 

The game is based around Mr. Greene’s mission to collect litter while avoiding the mischievous litter bug. Drawing from subjects like Environmental Studies and SPHE, the game can emphasise the importance of environmental responsibility and community cooperation. By collecting litter, players earn lives fostering a sense of accomplishment and positive behaviour. Additionally, encounters with the litter bug could lead to learning moments about the consequences of improper waste disposal. This game imparts a valuable lesson on maintaining a clean and sustainable school in an interactive and enjoyable manner.

 

 

[Brona Cushe]

Great little game with such a simple idea of being rewarded for picking up litter. Bring the idea to life and if presented to a class by a child could open the door for lots of discussion on responsible litter disposal/ recycling etc. Well done!

[Brona Cushe]

https://makecode.com/_AF2aUUdav91h

Princess Planet- Protecting the Planet from Pollution

Player: Princess Planet

Location: Earth’s atmosphere

Enemy: Pollution (in the shape of a grey cloud)

Food: Stars

The game can be tied to the topic of The Environment.

The main character Princess Planet is trying to escape from the enemy pollution. She gains points by collecting stars.

It lightly ties in with the topic of the Environment and we would have covered a good bit on what pollution is and how to create a more sustainable world through using renewable resources, recycling and cleaning up our planet. We also integrated this topic this year with our literacy where we studied a beach clean up in India and the effect it had on the ecosystem.

Using the idea of a superhero character in a game would really bring the topic to life. They could come up with lots of ideas such as a beach scene with rubbish as the enemy and fish as the food; a town with smog as the enemy and apples (or some organic food) as the food…etc. etc…

 

[David Greene]

Really enjoyable game Brona and loved the environmental themes and having the pollution as the enemy was genius! This could also be a great ‘story starter’ to tie in with a creative writing lesson. Well done.

[Kerri McArdle]

https://arcade.makecode.com/S86924-86120-59115-29661

My game is set in Pompeii in the year AD79
My main character is man
The enemy I am trying to escape is lava
My food source is water

My MakeCode Arcade game is based off the History topic of Pompeii. The strand is Early People and Ancient Societies and the strand unit is Ancient Romans. This game is a chaser game and involves character having to run away from the lava that is coming from Mount Vesuvius and get to the water in order to get lives. If the lava catches them then they lose a life. In our school we teach Pompeii in 5th class and I think this is a perfect age group to explore making this game with. It is advanced enough that it will be a challenge. We would back this up with an unplugged activity of making a volcano out of papier maché

[Emma Bookey]

Excellent game Kerri – I really enjoyed it (bit difficult for me, I wasn’t quick enough on the controls.)

I can see a 5th class really enjoying this whilst learning about Pompeii in History.

[Dara Daly]

https://arcade.makecode.com/S05758-47969-91635-39853

My game is themed around shopping/money, with the key curricular integration being Maths.

Location: Exterior of shop
Player: A shopper
‘Food’: Coins (10c and 5c)
Enemy: Thief

This is a simple chaser game where the player is trying to gather up coins to go shopping. I decided to use two different ‘foods’, a 10c and 5c, and tally up those collected separately. When caught by the thief loses one coin (2 in 3 chance of it being a 5c coin). The reason I decided to have two different values is that it allows for following on with ‘unplugged’ activities based on pupils’ play- throughs: they can convert their scores (ie 7 5-cent coins, 4 10-cent coins) into totals (ie 75c), convert them between c and €, compare them with others, etc. A more extensive follow-on could be taking their results to a play or digital shop and working out what they could buy. These potential activities are also why I chose to give the game a set time rather than end at a set score or set amount, as it means each play through will give a different result to use.

[Emma Bookey]

https://makecode.com/_057JTdMVTduf

My game is: Jack and the Beanstalk

Location: Clouds

Player: Jack

Enemy: The Giant

Food: Gold coins

The aim is that Jack gathers the gold coins for his poor family before the evil giant catches. I choose this theme for the younger classes as I believe if you were studying this in literacy and looking at the various elements like setting, character, plot, tension etc. get children accustomed to using this vocabulary and they can use the appropriate vocabulary whilst also developing their coding skills.

 

[Caoimhe Lyons]

https://makecode.com/_XDHUPfTumARm

My Game is Little Red Riding Hood

Location: Forest

Player: Red Riding Hood

Enemy: Wolf

Food: Apple

Curriculum Link: Literacy

 

The aim of the game is that Little Red Riding Hood catches as many apples as she can before the wolf catches her.  Little Red Riding Hood is a common book used in Literacy for the younger age classes. I think this game would be beneficial to gauge their interest and enhance their knowledge on Little Red Riding Hood, while also enhancing their IT skills.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Caoimhe Lyons.

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