Introduction to MakeCode Arcade

Welcome to MakeCode Arcade

MakeCode Arcade is an online game-making platform that uses block coding to help you build and play your own 8-bit games.

By D Smith e2010404 30/4/2025 Year 8 Digital Technologies Ballajura Community College

Multiple Choice

MakeCode Arcade only works with text coding.

• True

• False

You can create simple games, character animations, interactive stories, and more. It’s a great way to learn programming while being creative.

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​What Can You Make?

Multiple Choice

What kind of things can you build with MakeCode Arcade?

• 3D car simulations

• 2D arcade games

• Movie scripts

• Music albums

The screen is divided into three main parts: the Simulator, the Toolbox, and the Coding Workspace

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Meet the Interface

​Simulator

Tool Box

​Coding WorkSpace

Match

Match the area to its purpose:

• Simulator →

• Toolbox →

• Workspace →

Test game

Get blocks

Build code

• Test game

• Get blocks

• Build code

Click New Project, give your game a name, and click Create to begin building.

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Starting a New Project

Open Ended

What would you name your first game?

Blocks in MakeCode snap together like puzzle pieces. You drag from the Toolbox and drop into the Workspace.

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Drag and Drop Coding

Multiple Choice

Blocks must be typed in manually to work.

• True

• False

Sprites are your game characters. You can create and draw them using the Pixel Editor.

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Say Hello with Sprites

Multiple Choice

What is a sprite?

• A fizzy drink

• A background song

• A game character

• A cheat code

You can change your game’s background using the SCENE blocks.

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Set the Scene

Match

Match the code block to its job:

• Set background colour →

• Set background image →

• Change text colour →

One colour

Pixel art background

Text visibility

• One colour

• Pixel art background

• Text visibility

Animations make your sprite come alive. Use multiple frames to show movement.

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Add Motion with Animation

Multiple Choice

Animations in MakeCode Arcade can have more than one frame.

• True

• False

Use Controller blocks to make your game respond to keyboard or controller input.

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Make Things Happen

The Music blocks let you play melodies and sound effects to make your game more fun.

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Add Some Sound

Multiple Choice

Which tool adds music to your game?

• Sprites

• Controller

• Music

• Scene

Variables let your game remember things, like scores or how many times a robot danced.

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​Using Variables

Fill in the Blanks

A

stores and changes information during a game.

Use the Simulator to test your game. Try pressing buttons and watch what happens.

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Test and Debug

Multiple Choice

If your robot doesn’t dance when you press a button, something is wrong.

• True

• False

Before finishing, make sure:

• Your sprite moves

• Buttons work

• Sound or score added

• Project is saved

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Final Checks

Multiple Select

Which of these should be working before you submit your game?

• Sprite animation

• Button controls

• Sound or music

• Score or feedback