Hey guys! Ever wanted to build your own racing game? Scratch is the perfect place to start, especially if you're new to coding. This tutorial will walk you through creating a super fun car racing game from scratch (pun intended!). We'll cover everything from setting up the track to making the cars move and even adding some cool obstacles. Let's get started and unleash your inner game developer!

Setting Up the Stage

First things first, let's set up our stage. Think of the stage as the backdrop for your awesome racing game. We need to create a track where our cars will race. Here’s how you do it:

1. Open Scratch: Head over to the Scratch website (scratch.mit.edu) and click on "Create" to start a new project. This is where the magic happens!
2. Delete the Cat Sprite: You’ll see a cat sprite by default. We don’t need it for our racing game, so right-click on it in the Sprite pane and select "delete".
3. Create the Race Track: Now, let’s draw our race track. Click on the "Choose a Backdrop" button in the bottom right corner. Instead of choosing a pre-made backdrop, click on the "Paint" option. This will open the Paint Editor.
4. Draw the Track: Use the drawing tools to create your race track. A simple design could be two parallel lines to represent the edges of the track. Make sure to leave enough space between the lines for the cars to move. You can use the rectangle tool to fill the track with a color like green or gray to simulate grass or asphalt. Get creative! Add curves, straightaways, and anything else that makes your track interesting. Try to make the track fill most of the stage area so the game feels immersive. Remember to keep the track design relatively simple for your first game. You can always add more details later.
5. Add Start and Finish Lines: To make the game complete, add a start and finish line to your track. Use the line tool to draw a contrasting color line (like white or yellow) across the track at the beginning and end points. These lines will be crucial for determining when the race starts and when a player wins. Make sure the finish line is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the track.

Creating a visually appealing and functional race track is the foundation of your game. Experiment with different designs and colors to make it unique. A well-designed track not only looks good but also provides a fun and challenging experience for the player. Remember, the goal is to create something that you and others will enjoy playing!

Creating the Car Sprite

Alright, with our racetrack ready, it’s time to create our car sprite! This is where your game starts to come alive. Follow these steps to design and add a car to your game:

1. Choose a New Sprite: Click on the "Choose a Sprite" button in the bottom right corner again. This time, select the "Paint" option to draw your own car sprite. You can also choose a pre-made car sprite from the Scratch library if you prefer, but drawing your own gives you more customization options.
2. Design Your Car: The Paint Editor will open. Use the rectangle, circle, and line tools to draw your car. You can make it as simple or as detailed as you like. Consider using different colors for the body, windows, and wheels. A simple rectangle with circles for wheels works great for beginners. If you want to get fancy, add some details like headlights, spoilers, or racing stripes. Remember to keep the size of the car appropriate for the track – not too big that it can’t navigate the track, and not too small that it’s hard to see.
3. Center the Sprite: Make sure to center your car sprite in the Paint Editor. This ensures that the car rotates correctly when you add movement code. Look for the crosshairs in the editor and align the center of your car with them.
4. Add Costumes (Optional): If you want to add some extra flair, you can create multiple costumes for your car sprite. For example, you could have different colors or slightly different designs. This allows you to switch between costumes during the game, adding visual variety. To add a new costume, click on the "Costumes" tab at the top of the Paint Editor and then click the "Duplicate" button to create a copy of your current costume. Modify the copy to create a new look for your car.
5. Name Your Sprite: Don't forget to give your sprite a meaningful name. In the Sprite pane, rename "Sprite1" to something like "Car1" or "PlayerCar". This will help you keep track of your sprites as your game becomes more complex.

Designing your car sprite is a fun way to personalize your game. Take your time and experiment with different designs until you create a car that you love. A well-designed car not only looks good but also enhances the overall gaming experience. Remember, the more effort you put into the design, the more engaging your game will be!

Coding the Car's Movement

Now comes the exciting part – making our car move! We'll use Scratch's block-based coding to control the car's movement around the track. Here’s how:

1. Select the Car Sprite: Click on your car sprite in the Sprite pane to make sure you’re adding code to the correct sprite.
2. Add the "When Green Flag Clicked" Block: Go to the "Events" category and drag the "when green flag clicked" block to the code area. This block tells Scratch to run the code attached to it when the green flag (the start button) is clicked.
3. Add the "Forever" Block: Go to the "Control" category and drag the "forever" block to the code area. Attach it to the bottom of the "when green flag clicked" block. This block ensures that the code inside it runs continuously throughout the game.
4. Add "If" Blocks for Movement: Inside the "forever" block, we'll add "if" blocks to control the car's movement based on key presses. Go to the "Control" category and drag an "if" block inside the "forever" block. We'll use four "if" blocks to control forward, backward, left, and right movement.
5. Configure Key Presses: Inside each "if" block, we need to specify which key press triggers the movement. Go to the "Sensing" category and drag the "key pressed?" block into the condition area of each "if" block. Use the dropdown menu in the "key pressed?" block to select the appropriate keys (e.g., "up arrow", "down arrow", "left arrow", "right arrow").
6. Add Movement Blocks: Now, we need to add the actual movement code inside each "if" block. For forward movement (up arrow), go to the "Motion" category and drag the "move (10) steps" block inside the corresponding "if" block. For backward movement (down arrow), use "move (-10) steps". For turning left (left arrow) and right (right arrow), use the "turn (clockwise arrow) (15) degrees" and "turn (counter-clockwise arrow) (15) degrees" blocks, respectively. Adjust the values (10 and 15) to control the speed and turning sensitivity of your car.
7. Test Your Code: Click the green flag to start the game and test your car's movement. Use the arrow keys to control the car. If the car doesn't move as expected, double-check your code to make sure everything is connected correctly and the key presses are configured properly.

Coding the car's movement is a fundamental part of creating a racing game. By using "if" blocks and key presses, you can create a responsive and intuitive control system. Experiment with different values to fine-tune the car's speed and handling until you achieve the desired feel. A well-coded movement system will make your game more enjoyable and engaging for players. Remember to test your code frequently and make adjustments as needed to create a smooth and fun driving experience!

Adding Obstacles

To make our racing game more challenging and exciting, let's add some obstacles! Obstacles can be anything from cones to oil slicks that the player needs to avoid. Here’s how to add them:

1. Create an Obstacle Sprite: Just like with the car, click on the "Choose a Sprite" button and select "Paint" to create your own obstacle sprite. You can draw a simple cone, a rectangle to represent a barrier, or anything else you can think of. Make sure the obstacle is visually distinct from the track so the player can easily see and avoid it. You can also choose a pre-made sprite from the Scratch library if you prefer.
2. Place Obstacles on the Track: Drag the obstacle sprite to the desired location on the track. You can duplicate the sprite to create multiple obstacles. Position the obstacles in strategic locations to make the game challenging but not impossible. Consider placing them near curves or in narrow sections of the track to test the player's driving skills. Avoid placing obstacles directly in the starting path to give the player a fair chance at the beginning of the race.
3. Code Obstacle Behavior: Now, let's add some code to make the obstacles interact with the car. Select the obstacle sprite and add the following code:
   • Collision Detection: Use the "forever" block and the "if touching (car sprite)?" block to detect when the car collides with the obstacle. Go to the "Control" category and drag the "forever" block to the code area. Then, go to the "Control" category again and drag the "if" block inside the "forever" block. In the "Sensing" category, find the "touching ( )?" block and place it inside the "if" block. Select your car sprite from the dropdown menu in the "touching ( )?" block.
   • Penalty for Collision: Inside the "if" block, add code to penalize the player for hitting the obstacle. This could be as simple as reducing the car's speed, resetting the car's position, or deducting points from the score. For example, you could use the "move (-20) steps" block to briefly slow down the car after a collision. Alternatively, you could use the "go to x: ( ) y: ( )" block to reset the car to a previous position on the track. You can also add a sound effect to play when the car hits the obstacle to provide audio feedback.
4. Adjust Difficulty: Experiment with the number, placement, and behavior of the obstacles to adjust the difficulty of the game. Start with a few obstacles in easy-to-avoid locations and gradually increase the difficulty as the player progresses. Consider adding different types of obstacles with varying levels of challenge. For example, you could have stationary obstacles that are easy to avoid and moving obstacles that require more skill to dodge.

Adding obstacles is a great way to make your racing game more engaging and challenging. By carefully designing the obstacles and coding their behavior, you can create a fun and rewarding experience for the player. Remember to test your game frequently and adjust the difficulty as needed to ensure that it is both challenging and enjoyable.

Adding a Scoring System

No racing game is complete without a scoring system! Let's add a way to track the player's progress and reward them for completing laps. Here’s how:

1. Create a Variable: Go to the "Variables" category and click on "Make a Variable". Name the variable "Score" and click "OK". This will create a variable that stores the player's score.
2. Initialize the Score: When the game starts, we want to set the score to zero. Add the "set [Score] to (0)" block to the "when green flag clicked" block. This ensures that the score starts at zero each time the game is played.
3. Detect Lap Completion: We need to detect when the player completes a lap. To do this, we can use the finish line we created earlier. Add a new sprite that represents the finish line. This can be a simple colored line or a more elaborate design.
4. Code Lap Completion: Select the finish line sprite and add the following code:
   • Collision Detection: Use the "forever" block and the "if touching (car sprite)?" block to detect when the car crosses the finish line. Go to the "Control" category and drag the "forever" block to the code area. Then, go to the "Control" category again and drag the "if" block inside the "forever" block. In the "Sensing" category, find the "touching ( )?" block and place it inside the "if" block. Select your car sprite from the dropdown menu in the "touching ( )?" block.
   • Increase the Score: Inside the "if" block, add the "change [Score] by (1)" block to increase the score by one each time the car crosses the finish line. This rewards the player for completing a lap.
   • Add a Delay: To prevent the score from increasing multiple times for a single lap, add a short delay after increasing the score. Use the "wait (1) seconds" block from the "Control" category. Adjust the delay time as needed to ensure that the score only increases once per lap.
5. Display the Score: The score variable will be displayed on the stage by default. You can customize the appearance of the score display by right-clicking on it and selecting different display options (e.g., large readout, slider). You can also change the position of the score display by dragging it to a different location on the stage.
6. Add a Win Condition (Optional): You can add a win condition to the game by checking if the score reaches a certain value. For example, you could end the game when the player completes three laps. To do this, add another "if" block inside the "forever" block and check if the score is greater than or equal to the desired number of laps. If it is, use the "stop all" block from the "Control" category to end the game. You can also display a "You Win!" message on the screen.

Adding a scoring system is a great way to add depth and replayability to your racing game. By tracking the player's progress and rewarding them for completing laps, you can create a more engaging and motivating experience. Remember to test your scoring system thoroughly and adjust the scoring values as needed to ensure that the game is both challenging and rewarding. A well-designed scoring system will keep players coming back for more!

Adding Sound Effects

To make your car racing game even more immersive, let's add some sound effects! Sounds can enhance the gaming experience and provide feedback to the player. Here’s how to add them:

1. Choose a Sound: Scratch has a built-in sound library with a variety of sound effects to choose from. To access the sound library, click on the "Sounds" tab at the top of the Scratch interface. Then, click on the "Choose a Sound" button to browse the available sounds. You can preview the sounds by clicking on the play button next to each sound.
2. Add Sounds to Sprites: You can add sounds to any sprite in your game. For example, you might want to add an engine sound to the car sprite or a collision sound to the obstacle sprite. To add a sound to a sprite, select the sprite in the Sprite pane and then click on the "Sounds" tab. Click on the "Choose a Sound" button to select a sound from the library. Alternatively, you can record your own sounds using a microphone.
3. Code Sound Effects: Now, let's add some code to play the sounds at the appropriate times. For example, you might want to play the engine sound when the car is moving and the collision sound when the car hits an obstacle. To play a sound, use the "start sound ( )" block from the "Sound" category. Place this block inside the appropriate "if" blocks to trigger the sound effects.
   • Engine Sound: To play the engine sound when the car is moving, add the "start sound (engine sound)" block inside the "if" blocks that control the car's forward and backward movement. This will play the engine sound whenever the player presses the up or down arrow keys.
   • Collision Sound: To play the collision sound when the car hits an obstacle, add the "start sound (collision sound)" block inside the "if" block that detects the collision between the car and the obstacle. This will play the collision sound whenever the car hits an obstacle.
4. Adjust Volume and Effects: You can adjust the volume and add effects to the sounds using the sound editing tools in Scratch. To access the sound editing tools, click on the "Sounds" tab and then click on the sound you want to edit. You can use the volume slider to adjust the volume of the sound. You can also add effects such as fade in, fade out, and echo using the effects buttons.
5. Looping Sounds: For sounds like the engine sound, you might want to loop the sound so that it plays continuously while the car is moving. To loop a sound, use the "forever" block and the "play sound ( ) until done" block from the "Sound" category. Place these blocks inside the "if" blocks that control the car's forward and backward movement. This will play the engine sound continuously while the player presses the up or down arrow keys.

Adding sound effects is a simple but effective way to enhance the gaming experience. By carefully selecting and coding the sound effects, you can create a more immersive and engaging game. Remember to test your game with the sound effects enabled to ensure that they are working properly and that they enhance the overall gaming experience.

Sharing Your Game

Congratulations! You’ve built your own car racing game in Scratch. Now, let’s share it with the world! Here’s how:

1. Save Your Project: Before sharing your game, make sure to save it. Click on "File" in the top left corner and select "Save now". This will save your project to your Scratch account.
2. Give Your Project a Title: Click on the title at the top of the screen and give your project a descriptive name. This will help other Scratch users find your game.
3. Write Instructions: In the "Instructions" section below the game, explain how to play your game. This should include the controls (e.g., use the arrow keys to move the car) and the goal of the game (e.g., complete three laps to win). Clear and concise instructions will make it easier for other users to play and enjoy your game.
4. Write Notes and Credits: In the "Notes and Credits" section, you can give credit to anyone who helped you with your project. You can also add any additional notes or comments about your game. This is a good place to thank any artists or programmers whose resources you used in your game.
5. Share Your Project: Click on the "Share" button in the top right corner. This will publish your game to the Scratch website, where other users can play it. Once your game is shared, you will receive a link that you can share with your friends and family.
6. Promote Your Game: To get more people to play your game, you can promote it on social media, Scratch forums, and other online communities. Share the link to your game and encourage others to try it out and leave feedback. You can also create a video trailer for your game and upload it to YouTube or other video-sharing platforms.
7. Get Feedback: Pay attention to the feedback that other users leave on your game. Use this feedback to improve your game and make it even more fun to play. You can also ask for specific feedback on certain aspects of your game, such as the difficulty level or the controls.

Sharing your game is a great way to show off your skills and get feedback from other Scratch users. By following these steps, you can publish your game to the Scratch website and share it with the world. Remember to promote your game and get feedback to make it even better. Happy sharing!