Getting Started with 2D Games Using Arcade (Part 1): What Are We Going to Build?

What Are We Going to Create?

First, let me introduce the game we are going to build in this book.

Coin Collecting Game

In this book, we will create a “Coin Collecting Game” that anyone can quickly and easily build.
It’s a simple (and slightly cute) game where you collect scattered coins.

“This is what it means for a game to actually move with programming!!”
That’s the kind of experience I hope you’ll have through this content.

About the Extra Chapters

In addition to the main chapters, the extra chapters introduce the following sample codes.
After learning the basic mechanics, you’ll also be able to explore these techniques.

1. Switching Animations

2. Camera Movement

3. Using a Physics Engine

What Is Python?

Next, Python itself is briefly introduced here.
Please take a look if you’re interested.

About Python Basics

For Python installation and basic syntax, please refer to

Getting Started with Python.

You can continue reading without knowing about classes,
but having a rough idea will help you understand things faster.
If needed, checking

Getting Started with Python (Part 12): Using Classes

in advance will make things smoother.

About the Development Environment

For the development environment, we will use IDLE, the editor that comes bundled with Python.
For instructions on how to use it, please refer to

Getting Started with Python (Part 2): Running Your First Python Program.

Library Introduction

This time, we will create a 2D game using a library called Python Arcade Library.

What Is the Python Arcade Library?

The Python Arcade Library is a library that makes it easy to handle
game essentials such as characters, movement, and collision detection.
Its main feature is that you can create something that feels like a real game
without having to think about complicated details.

In the API References,
you can check all the available features of this library.
In the Examples,
you can find sample code built using this library.

Installing the Arcade Library

The Python Arcade Library is a third-party library.
You need to install it in advance from the command line using the pip command.
(The $ symbol is not part of the command.)

# install arcade
$ pip install arcade

Coming Up Next...

Thank you for reading so far.
The next chapter is titled “Let’s Create the Game Screen.”
Stay tuned 👍