Scratch

masterpix · 2010-02-09 16:09:37

Dear netters

I am a father to a 9 year old child with disability. Most computer games that are relevant to his capabilities involves either specific keyboard (comfi) or regular keyboard where he is expected to know the keys. Moreover, most of those games are simple, and are also repetitive, so as soon as he get to know the game, he turns the screen off and play from his memory which does not encourage him to improve his playing skills. As his older sister (age 12) started learning scratch, I figured that it can be a good platform to generate simple yet non repetitive, like simple mazes that changes randomly so he can't "learn" what to expect and will have to think every time.

Ok, this is what I did, I bought the pico-board, and using corridor light starters made a board with four arrow keys, I know how to draw a simple maze and how to move an object using the keys through the maze.

I would like, if anyone knows, to be able to pick one background out of 10 using the random number function, then present this background and use if for the current game. Another thing is how to export the game so I can use it outside scratch.

If possible, please reply to [contact information removed] since I am not a frequent visitor here.

Best and thanks for all

Yaron

Last edited by Lightnin (2010-02-10 09:01:24)

Ace-of-Spades · 2010-02-09 18:48:31

I'm not sure if he'll be able to understand it since it can get quite complicated. Firt off, what type of disability is it? ADD? ADHD? Autism?

If you just want to keep your son learning the games, then some of the program users could also band together and make games like that for your son with changing game expectations, but if you mean you want your son to learn to make games like this, it might take some time depending on the disability, though I'm sure he can eventually grasp it. Scratch is like a bunch of puzzle pieces, where you don't have to know real programming to make games.

steppenwulf · 2010-02-09 18:52:52

If you want, I could make you an example of a script you could use to make a game for your son. Or I could make one for him. big_smile

itchyone · 2010-02-09 19:30:31

one thing you can do:
[blocks]

<switch to costume[ <pick random( 1 )to( 10
[/blocks]

Another thing you can do is have it stamp out a stage using a list, so there is a different stage every time. There are many projects that can show how to do that, but I am not completely sure myself on how to do that.

Hope that helps!

Last edited by itchyone (2010-02-09 19:31:36)

Greatdane · 2010-02-09 19:31:10

The script for a background is simple:
[blocks]
<switch to costume[ <pick random( 1 )to( 10 )> ]>
[/blocks]

There is no way to export stages, except you can right-click on one of the Stage's costumes and select "Export..."

By the way, what disability does your son have?

steppenwulf · 2010-02-09 19:38:53

Those scripts will not work once you have completed the first maze. You need a script that will randomly choose one out of 10 mazes without choosing the same one twice.

masterpix · 2010-02-10 05:56:38

thanks for everyone

1) I don't expect him to learn scratch, only to use the games I write for him. The idea of a simple maze is that I can (am building) a simple board with 4 arrow keys (using the pico-bpard) and then he can move the image through the maze.
2) I see it possible to choose a number between one to another number, however, it is possible to change then background accordingly? The idea of the maze is that once the background image is touched then it will move the image from the wall and allow him to continue move is through the maze until he gets to the the last point, where "wonderful" and hand clapping sounds will show him he did well.
3) Once such a game will work, then I will be more than happy to share the concept with others (also drawings of the design etc) and get ideas how to make more games that might be useful for disable community.

Best for all

masterpix · 2010-02-10 05:59:41

about mu son disability, it is quote complex thing, he had sever communication problems which are enhanced by deficit in the motorize system, so even if he wants to talk, he can't. He is not stupid if you get my meaning, but it is hard for him to show it. So I think that by challange him with smarter (yet still simple) games, it will be possible to "get more" out of him.

fanofcena · 2010-02-10 06:13:23

masterpix wrote:
thanks for everyone

1) I don't expect him to learn scratch, only to use the games I write for him. The idea of a simple maze is that I can (am building) a simple board with 4 arrow keys (using the pico-bpard) and then he can move the image through the maze.
2) I see it possible to choose a number between one to another number, however, it is possible to change then background accordingly? The idea of the maze is that once the background image is touched then it will move the image from the wall and allow him to continue move is through the maze until he gets to the the last point, where "wonderful" and hand clapping sounds will show him he did well.
3) Once such a game will work, then I will be more than happy to share the concept with others (also drawings of the design etc) and get ideas how to make more games that might be useful for disable community.

Best for all

Yes it is possible to choose a number between 1 to another number using the pick random function .

Anyways If u need any help i will be very happy to help.

Brass45 · 2010-02-10 07:40:29

masterpix wrote:
thanks for everyone

1) I don't expect him to learn scratch, only to use the games I write for him. The idea of a simple maze is that I can (am building) a simple board with 4 arrow keys (using the pico-bpard) and then he can move the image through the maze.
2) I see it possible to choose a number between one to another number, however, it is possible to change then background accordingly? The idea of the maze is that once the background image is touched then it will move the image from the wall and allow him to continue move is through the maze until he gets to the the last point, where "wonderful" and hand clapping sounds will show him he did well.
3) Once such a game will work, then I will be more than happy to share the concept with others (also drawings of the design etc) and get ideas how to make more games that might be useful for disable community.

Best for all

Yes,you can change the background accordingly,but it can become a complicated process.I'll try to upload a demo for you(it won't be a maze,just the a rectangle or something).

Brass45 · 2010-02-10 08:04:01

Okay,here's a demo I made that I think you'll find useful.
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/Brass45Test/881176
Also,here's a maze game I made a while back.It won't help with changing backgrounds like my above one,but I think it might be useful when you want to make your sons game harder.
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/Brass45/632904

Last edited by Brass45 (2010-02-10 08:06:00)

Ace-of-Spades · 2010-02-10 08:16:38

Here's what you should do: Make a new sprite (possibly a portal graphic or something) that switches the maze to it's next costume. Then make the portal move away from your son's character, into a random part of the maze. That way, there'll be more than one way of winning each of the (number of) levels you make. For added effect, you should also make the background black, and the maze a solid white monochrome, and use the color effect (it'll change the color to something random each time, so the levels won't look the same either).

MyRedNeptune · 2010-02-10 08:35:59

I see others have already volunteered to help you with the programming. big_smile I can do the design, if you don't mind. smile Just describe what you want and, if possible, upload the maze templates and I'll try to awesome-ize it for you.

Lightnin · 2010-02-10 09:07:20

Cool project! A few quick notes:
- Please don't share personal contact information on the site. (I removed the email address from your first post. We ask Scratchers to avoid sharing / using this kind of contact info for safety reasons).

- Your project sounds awesome! When it's complete, I hope you'll consider sharing your experiences using / creating it on ScratchEd, an online community designed to support Educators using Scratch. There are a few other tips / stories posted there about using Scratch with children with disabilities that might interest you.
http://www.scratch-ed.org/

Brass45 · 2010-02-10 10:55:15

Here,I made a full demo you can use!It's everything you need,just add more maze costumes and change a few variables and lists.If you want to play it,click here.If you need more information on how to edit it,then just leave a comment on one of my projects.

masterpix · 2010-02-10 13:09:07

Thanks everyone for your help

I start to get the concept, I will draw a few simple mazes, starting at one point and ending in another, then let a sprite wear them in random order.

As you all know, introducing a new game to a child with communication problems is a matter by itself, and it will take some time before he will accept it. For this reason I need to keep the game as simple as possible at the moment.

thanks again

Ace-of-Spades · 2010-02-10 16:53:57

No problem.

MyRedNeptune · 2010-02-11 11:09:40

You're welcome. ^^

Brass45 · 2010-02-11 11:30:03

Glad that I could help.I wish you good luck with your son! Also,if you saw my game,then maybe you could use the torch effect once he starts to do well at figuring out the path of a new maze.

Last edited by Brass45 (2010-02-11 11:33:21)

masterpix · 2010-02-12 16:28:55

Just updating, I've finished building the game box, it's actually a wooden box, 30cmX30cmX4cm, where the four switches (corridor light starters) are placed in a + order, each have an arrow of different color (mainly so I can place the box at the right position if needed). as soon at it get dry from the paint I will take a picture and show it to everyone.

I will start with very simple mazes, moving in an "N", "S", "L", "U" shapes to get him started, and hopefully I will be able to get into things like "F" (one dead end) or even more complex ones.

Ace-of-Spades · 2010-02-12 17:25:24

Oh you actually make the maze yourself out of wood? Did you mean a maze in real life using an Arduino Board to move around the gates? I'm not too sure about stuff pertaining the boards.

If you ever need to make another maze, use the line tool in the Scratch Painter, or Microsoft Paint. It saves part of a tree. It's a computer art program that goes with scratch (and unless you're operating from something else, every computer initially has it installed in accessories.)

fg123 · 2010-02-12 17:41:03

To make it so an object can't walk through a wall, you need sensing and collision detecting. Can you post an example project of what you have so far??

masterpix · 2010-02-19 04:31:57

Dear friends

I've completed the "machine", it rather look nice with those arrow buttons (pictures in the near future). The PicoBoard is inside and each button I press does get the right reaction on the scratch.

I now make the "mazes", I need to make them simple enough not to discourage him from using the new game, while making enough variations to make the game a "non-repetitive" one.

how can I export the game out of the scratch program so it can be played in its own window straight from the main window?

best

Ace-of-Spades · 2010-02-19 07:47:30

There's a program called Chirp developed by Jens to make only the games appear, and the programming unaccessable.

Lightnin · 2010-02-22 11:00:48

masterpix wrote:
Dear friends

I've completed the "machine", it rather look nice with those arrow buttons (pictures in the near future). The PicoBoard is inside and each button I press does get the right reaction on the scratch.

I now make the "mazes", I need to make them simple enough not to discourage him from using the new game, while making enough variations to make the game a "non-repetitive" one.

how can I export the game out of the scratch program so it can be played in its own window straight from the main window?

best

Hmm.. it's not really possible to export that game out of Scratch. You could run it in "presentation" mode - just click the screen icon in upper right corner of Scratch.

Scratch

archived forums

#1 2010-02-09 16:09:37

using scratch as a game for disabled child

#2 2010-02-09 18:48:31

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#3 2010-02-09 18:52:52

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#4 2010-02-09 19:30:31

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#5 2010-02-09 19:31:10

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#6 2010-02-09 19:38:53

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#7 2010-02-10 05:56:38

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#8 2010-02-10 05:59:41

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#9 2010-02-10 06:13:23

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

masterpix wrote:

#10 2010-02-10 07:40:29

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

masterpix wrote:

#11 2010-02-10 08:04:01

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#12 2010-02-10 08:16:38

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#13 2010-02-10 08:35:59

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#14 2010-02-10 09:07:20

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#15 2010-02-10 10:55:15

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#16 2010-02-10 13:09:07

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#17 2010-02-10 16:53:57

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#18 2010-02-11 11:09:40

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#19 2010-02-11 11:30:03

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#20 2010-02-12 16:28:55

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#21 2010-02-12 17:25:24

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#22 2010-02-12 17:41:03

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#23 2010-02-19 04:31:57

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#24 2010-02-19 07:47:30

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

#25 2010-02-22 11:00:48

Re: using scratch as a game for disabled child

masterpix wrote:

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