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Merge pull request #344 from endlessm/push-tksykrquouym
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README: Update to mention gamepad input
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starnight authored Dec 18, 2024
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Expand Up @@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Our aim is to reduce the learning curve faced by learners who are on the early p

With this project, we aim to reduce the height of the mountain that such learners have to climb. Specifically, we aim to eliminate the requirement of learners having to simultaneously learn to code while building their first games. Instead of writing GDScript to implement games, this plugin enables learners use block coding. Tools like [Scratch](https://scratch.mit.edu/), [Blockly](https://developers.google.com/blockly), and [MakeCode](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/makecode) have demonstrated that block coding can be much more accessible and intuitive to beginners than textual programming—we are bringing those concepts into Godot to help learners become familiar with some aspects of Godot itself while simplifying the creation of their first games.

In order to be learner-friendly, we implement blocks at a suitable level of abstraction. For example, we have blocks that allow the user to trivially connect keyboard input to the movement of a particular game element, and to make the score show up on-screen. That abstraction does place limits on what can be achieved with this tool, while still allowing us to provide a gentler introduction to Godot for learners, such that they can get familiar with other aspects of the Godot Editor and learn programming concepts while creating basic games. We envision that learners would use block coding as a stepping stone and then later progress onto learning GDScript.
In order to be learner-friendly, we implement blocks at a suitable level of abstraction. For example, we have blocks that allow the user to trivially connect keyboard and gamepad input to the movement of a particular game element, and to make the score show up on-screen. That abstraction does place limits on what can be achieved with this tool, while still allowing us to provide a gentler introduction to Godot for learners, such that they can get familiar with other aspects of the Godot Editor and learn programming concepts while creating basic games. We envision that learners would use block coding as a stepping stone and then later progress onto learning GDScript.

That said, we are in no way opposed to having this project grow to be able to create more complex games, as long as it does not negatively affect the experience for early stage learners.

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ The selection of available blocks varies based on the node type. For example, cr

If you wish to switch context to another node, you need to define a function in that other node, and then call it. Once execution jumps into that function, blocks will now act against that other node, and you'll have access to type-specific blocks belonging to that other node. You'll need do this kind of thing if you want to trigger the freeing of another node, or trigger an animation to start playing. This is both strong in conveying the concepts of objects and encapsulation, while also a bit tedious - we may revisit in future!

We have some high level blocks for simplifying common game elements. Add a SimpleCharacter node to get a game element that can be connected to keyboard input with just one type-specific block. Add a SimpleScoring node to display a score on-screen, accompanied by simple blocks for adjusting that score.
We have some high level blocks for simplifying common game elements. Add a SimpleCharacter node to get a game element that can be connected to keyboard and gamepad input with just one type-specific block. Add a SimpleScoring node to display a score on-screen, accompanied by simple blocks for adjusting that score.

Lean into animations! Godot's animations functionality goes beyond just simple animations of graphics. You can do so much by combining block coding with Godot's powerful animations editor.

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