The Art of Doing: Video Game Creation with Python and Pygame

by Michael Eramo

Released October 2021

Publisher(s): Packt Publishing

ISBN: 9781803231587

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Video description

Have you learned the fundamentals of Python and then asked yourself: what’s next? Then this course is for you.

We’ll begin by learning the fundamentals of the Pygame library and video game design as we move on to making four incredibly fun, arcade-style games called Feed the Dragon, Click the Clown, Snake, and Burger Dog.

We will then proceed to the concepts of classes and inheritance in Python, which are crucial tools for taking our games to the next level using Sprites and Sprite Groups. If, you have not worked with classes before, you need not worry, we’ve got you covered. We will spend some time learning more intermediate concepts such as how to use sprites, sprite groups, and various sprite collision detection methods as we move on to making two intermediate-level games called Monster Wrangler and Space Invaders.

The third part of this course focuses on more advanced topics such as creating a tile map and using/reading it to create more complex-level designs, using 2-dimensional vectors to aid with more complex player movements such as running and jumping under forces of friction and gravity, and adding character animations to make our games really come to life! We will apply these concepts as well as all our previous knowledge to make one last game called Zombie Knight, which is the final project.

By the end of this course, you will be able to put forward your own game ideas and feel confident enough in your abilities to create them.

What You Will Learn

Learn to use classes and inheritance to organize complex codes
Create surfaces, blit images, render text, handle user input, and more
Work with sprites, sprite groups, and more robust collision methods
Create tile map and read a tile map to design a game level
Use 2-dimensional vectors to handle complex platformer motion
Use collision masks to have pixel-perfect collisions when needed

Audience

This course is designed for beginner Python developers who are curious about video game design and the Pygame library or looking to strengthen their understanding of classes and how they can be used in larger projects or have a love for classic arcade-style games.

A basic understanding of programming concepts such as variables, lists, loops, and conditionals is required as these won‘t be covered in the course.

In the second half of the course, we will be switching to using classes extensively. We will spend some time reviewing and learning the topics of classes and inheritance, although prior knowledge may be helpful.

About The Author

Michael Eramo: Michael Eramo is a dedicated lifelong learner, experienced educator, and self-taught programmer. With official bachelor’s degrees in music, education, and physics, as well as a master’s in mathematics, he brings a diverse skill set to his teaching. As a Microsoft certified software developer, Michael has years of experience as a high school physics and computer science teacher, as well as a college mathematics teacher. He is also an esteemed member of the New York State Master-Teacher Program, a network of over 800 outstanding public-school teachers who share a passion for STEM learning and collaborate to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.