Overview
This lecture provides a step-by-step guide to creating a 2D platformer using GDevelop, an open-source, no-code game engine, covering essential mechanics, assets, UI, and sound integration.
Introduction to GDevelop
- GDevelop is a fast, lightweight, and no-code open-source game engine for making 2D (and some 3D) games.
- Game logic in GDevelop uses human-readable events rather than programming languages.
Starting a New Project
- Begin by creating a new project, selecting pixel art optimization, naming, and setting project location.
- The initial scene is blank, with separate areas for objects and event sheets.
Adding Player Character
- Add a Sprite object, import idle animation frames, set frame duration, and enable looping.
- Add the platformer character behavior to handle movement and physics.
- Rename object to 'player' and adjust movement settings for pixel art scale.
Creating Platforms and Level Design
- Add a tiled Sprite object for platforms (e.g., dirt), set dimensions, and apply platform behavior.
- Duplicate platforms for level design using Ctrl+drag.
- Create jump-through and moving platforms by adjusting object behaviors and settings.
Player Movement and Camera Controls
- Use event sheets to zoom and center the camera on the player at scene start.
- Add smooth camera behavior to the player for dynamic following.
- Set camera boundaries to prevent viewing beyond the intended level area.
Coins, Pickups, and Scoring
- Create a coin Sprite with animation and duplicate it across the scene.
- Set up collision events: when the player collides with a coin, delete the coin and increase the score variable.
- Update UI text to display the current score.
Enemies and Death Mechanics
- Duplicate the player as a base for the enemy, change animation, and disable default controls.
- Use events to handle enemy movement and direction changes upon hitting walls.
- When the player collides with an enemy or falls below a boundary, activate the death animation and reset the scene after a delay.
User Interface and Text
- Use bitmap text objects for crisp pixel art text.
- Separate UI text onto a different layer to keep it fixed on screen.
Animation Handling
- Add and name run and jump animations; use platformer character animator behavior for automatic animation changes.
Scene Organization and Layering
- Manage object order in the scene using Z order values to control what appears in front or behind.
Sound Effects and Music
- Add sound effects by playing audio upon specific actions (e.g., collecting coins) using event actions.
- Set background music to play and loop at scene start, using built-in tools or asset pack audio.
Key Terms & Definitions
- GDevelop — No-code, open-source engine for 2D game development.
- Sprite Object — An object that displays images or animations in the scene.
- Platformer Behavior — Prebuilt movement and physics logic for platform games.
- Event Sheet — Interface for defining game logic with conditions and actions.
- Tiled Sprite — An object that repeats an image for scalable backgrounds or platforms.
- Scene Variable — A value stored per scene, used for scores or state tracking.
- Bitmap Text — Text rendered using pixel fonts, preserving sharpness in pixel art games.
- Z Order — Layer order; determines which objects appear in front of others.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Download and organize the provided asset pack for your project.
- Experiment with adding new enemies, mechanics, and UI elements.
- Explore the GDevelop YouTube channel for more advanced tutorials.