Development Game Development Game Design

The Art of Doing: Video Game Basics with Python and Pygame

Learn all you need to know to begin making your own simple and fun arcade style games!
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (30 ratings)
5,707 students
Created by Michael Eramo
English
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Fundamentals of the Pygame library and overall video game design.
How to create Pygame surfaces and draw on them.
How to blit (copy) images and render text.
How to add sound effects and music to your games.
How to handle user input via keyboard and mouse for game controls.
How to perform collision detection using pygame Rects.

Requirements

  • Basic Python/computer science understanding.

Description

Have you learned the fundamentals of Python and then asked yourself; what's next?

If so, consider taking this course which will start you on your journey to making your own playable, fun, and rather addicting video games using Python and the Pygame library. 

So often, when students ask for advice they are told to, "Go build something" or "Get involved on a project" but have no idea what projects to build or get involved in.

This course will set you on your way! In this course I will walk you though, step by step, the fundamentals of video game design with Python and Pgyame.  We will cover all of the basics including:

  • Concepts of the main game loop, frames per second, and a clock.

  • Creating a surface and drawing to it.

  • Blitting (copying) images and rendering text to a surface.

  • Adding sound effects and music.

  • Handling keyboard and mouse input for player movement and control.

  • Basic collision detection methods


By the end of this course, I hope for two things:

  1. You will want to continue learning and consider about Pygame and Python and enroll in the full course!

  2. Have the confidence and knowledge to begin making your own basic arcade style games with Python!


Good luck and I hope to see you in our next video!

Who this course is for:

  • Beginner Python developers curious about video game design and the Pygame library.
  • Beginner Python developers who have a love for classic style arcade games.

Course content

2 sections • 11 lectures • 1h 58m total length

  • Creating Our Display Surface
    09:48
  • Drawing On Our Display Surface
    15:21
  • Blitting (copying) Images
    11:46
  • Blitting (copying) Text
    11:49
  • Adding Sound Effects and Music
    11:38
  • Discrete Keyboard Movement
    12:06
  • Mouse Movement
    11:16
  • Continuous Keyboard Movement
    13:54
  • Movement Restrictions
    01:49
  • Collision Detection
    17:16

Instructor

Michael Eramo
Educator, Master Teacher, Self-Taught Programmer
Michael Eramo
  • 4.7 Instructor Rating
  • 2,020 Reviews
  • 134,167 Students
  • 10 Courses

Hello, my name is Michael Eramo.  I am a life long learner, a self-taught programmer, and an experienced educator.  I hold official Bachelor's degrees in Music, Education, and Physics, as well as a Masters degree in Mathematics.  I also hold a certificate in Software Development from Microsoft. 

I have years of experience as a high school Physics teacher, Computer Science Teacher, and college Mathematics teacher.  I am part of the New York State Master Teacher Program  a network of more than 800 outstanding public school teachers throughout the state who share a passion for their own STEM learning and for collaborating with colleagues to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.

I am passionate about learning new things and teaching what I know to those around me in a way that is engaging, meaningful, and with purpose.