Vertical Platformer JavaScript Game Tutorial

3 min read 7 months ago
Published on Apr 22, 2024 This response is partially generated with the help of AI. It may contain inaccuracies.

Table of Contents

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Creating a Vertical Platformer Game in JavaScript using Kaboom JS Library

Step 1: Set Up Your Project Structure

  1. Create a new folder and name it "vertical platformer."
  2. Inside the "vertical platformer" folder, create another folder named "assets." This folder will contain all your game assets.

Step 2: Download Game Assets

  1. Download the background and character assets from the provided links in the video description.
  2. Place the downloaded assets in the "assets" folder.

Step 3: Create HTML and JavaScript Files

  1. Create an index.html file and a main.js file inside the "vertical platformer" folder.
  2. Install the Live Server extension in your code editor for easy previewing of your game.

Step 4: Set Up Kaboom JS Library

  1. Include the Kaboom JS library in your index.html file using a script tag.
  2. In your main.js file, initialize Kaboom by calling the Kaboom() function and passing in an object with width and height parameters.

Step 5: Load Game Assets

  1. Use the loadSprite function to load your background and character sprites.
  2. Create game objects using the add function and specify components like Sprite, Fixed, and Scale for each game object.

Step 6: Create Game Map

  1. Define your game map layout using the addLevel function and specify different tiles and components for each tile.
  2. Add platforms, walls, and invisible walls to your game map using the components provided by Kaboom.

Step 7: Implement Player Character

  1. Create a player game object with the necessary components like Sprite, Area, Body, and Scale.
  2. Set up animations for the player character using Sprite sheets and define animations for idle, running, jumping, and falling.

Step 8: Implement Player Movement

  1. Use the onKeyDown and onKeyUp functions to handle player movement based on key presses.
  2. Update the player's position and animation based on key inputs for left, right, and up (jump) movements.

Step 9: Manage Player Animation

  1. Use the onUpdate function to manage player animations based on player actions like jumping and falling.
  2. Update player animations dynamically based on player's grounded status and height changes.

Step 10: Set Up Camera

  1. Define camera boundaries and offsets to ensure the player remains within the visible game area.
  2. Update the camera position based on player movement to keep the player in view while exploring the game world.

Step 11: Finalize Your Game

  1. Test your game to ensure player movement, animations, and camera functionality work as intended.
  2. Make any necessary adjustments to improve gameplay experience and enjoy your newly created vertical platformer game!

By following these steps, you can create a vertical platformer game in JavaScript using the Kaboom JS library. Have fun building and customizing your game to make it unique and engaging for players!