Hands-on Introduction to Game Design with GDevelop 5

1. Getting Started

a. Install GDevelop

1. Download GDevelop:
   • Visit the official GDevelop website.
     
   • Download the appropriate version for your operating system.
     
2. Install the Application:
   • Run the downloaded installer.
     
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
     
3. Alternatively, Use the Web Version:
   • If you prefer not to install the application, you can use the GDevelop web version.

b. Create a New Project

1. Open GDevelop:
   • Launch the GDevelop application or access the web version.
     
2. Start a New Project:
   • Click on “Create a new project”.
     
3. Set Project Resolution:
   • Choose Desktop Full HD (1920x1080) as the resolution.
     
4. Select Project Template:
   • Choose “New empty project”.
     
5. Name Your Project:
   • Enter a name for your project (e.g., “Gamelab”).

2. Objects Setup

a. Access the Object Panel

• Locate the Object Panel on the right side of the GDevelop interface.

b. Create a Player Sprite

1. Add a New Object:
   • Click on “Add a new object”.
     
2. Select Sprite:
   • Choose “Sprite” from the options.
     
   • Alternatively, you can use the “Pixel Adventure” pack from the Asset Store (Add these assets to my scene).
     
     
3. Name the Object:
   • Enter “Player” as the object name. (Important: name)

c. Add Player to the Scene

• Drag and Drop:
  • Drag the Player sprite from the Object Panel into the game scene.
    
  • Stretch the Player to adjust it to the proper size for the project.

d. Create a Tiled Sprite for Floor

1. Add a New Object:
   • Click on “Add a new object”.
     
2. Select Tiled Sprite:
   • Choose “Tiled Sprite”.
     
   • Alternatively, select any floor-like asset from the Asset Store (Recommended).
     
3. Name the Object:
   • Enter “Floor” as the object name.
     
4. Position the Floor:
   • Drag the Floor object into the scene.
     
   • Place it directly below the Player.

e. Add a Pickup Object (e.g., Cherries)

1. Create the Pickup Object:
   • Click on “Add a new object”.
     
   • Select any asset (e.g., a Cherries) from the Object Panel and name it “Cherries”.
     
2. Add to Scene:
   • Drag the Cherries object into the scene. Enlarge it to fit the size of the player.
     
   • Use Ctrl+D to duplicate the same Cherries to any position you want

3. Implement Behaviors

a. Add Platformer Behavior to Player

1. Select the Player Object:
   • Click on “Player” in the Object Panel.
     
2. Edit the Object:
   • Right-click on “Player” or click the three-dot icon and select “Edit Object”.
     
3. Navigate to Behaviors:
   • Go to the “Behaviors” tab.
     
4. Add Platformer Behavior:
   • Click “Add a behavior”.
     
   • Choose “Platformer Character”.
     
   • Apply the behavior.

b. Add Platformer Behavior to Floor

1. Select the Floor Object:
   • Click on “Floor” in the Object Panel.
     
2. Edit the Object:
   • Right-click on “Floor” or click the three-dot icon and select “Edit Object”.
     
3. Navigate to Behaviors:
   • Go to the “Behaviors” tab.
     
4. Add Platformer Behavior:
   • Click “Add a behavior”.
     
   • Choose “Platform”.
     
   • Apply the behavior.
   

4. Organize with Layers and Grid

a. Use Grid for Alignment

• Enable the Grid (Top right corner) to align objects precisely.
  

b. Create UI Layer

1. Open the Layers panel.
   
   
2. Add a new layer named UI.
   

c. Add UI Elements

1. Add a New Object:

   • Click on “Add a new object”.
     

2. Create a Text object for the score:

   • Set the text to Score: 0.

   

3. Select the Text object and drag it into your scene
   

4. With the Text object selected in the scene (click on it), navigate to the properties panel on the left side of your screen. Set the layer of the Text object to UI.

d. Add Background

1. Create a background (choose any asset that looks like a background - e.g. You can search for ColoredConfetti in the object browser, available in the asset pack).
   
2. Drag it into the scene.
   
3. Set its Z-order (Z-axis) to 0 in the properties panel to place it behind other objects.

5. Event Setup

a. Open Event Sheet

• Navigate to the “Events” tab to start adding game logic.

b. Center and Zoom Camera

1. Add New Event:
   • Condition: At the beginning of the scene.
     
2. Action:
   • Center the camera on the Player.

c. Make Camera Follow Player

1. Add New Event:
   • Condition: None.
     
2. Action:
   • Change Camera X Position:
     (Objects → Player → Camera center X position)
set to Player.CenterX()

d. Animate Player Movement

1. Run Animation When Moving:
   • Condition: If Left or Right arrow keys are pressed (Objects → Player → Control pressed or simulated).
     
   • Actions:
     • Set Player animation to “Run”. (Animation(by name) → Player → Run)
       
     • Flip Horizontally based on direction:
       • For moving left, switch Flip Horizontally to Yes.
         
       • For moving right, switch Flip Horizontally to No.
         
2. Jump Animation:
   • Condition: If Jump key is pressed.
     
   • Action: Set Player animation to “Jump”.
     
3. Idle Animation:
   • Condition: If Player is not moving (invert the is moving condition).
     
   • Action: Set Player animation to “Idle”.

e. Handle Collision with Cherries

1. Add New Event:
   • Condition: If Player collides with Cherries. (Player → Collision → Cherries)
     
2. Actions:
   • Delete the Cherries object.
     
   • Update the Score text:
     • Search for Text (General/Text capability)
       
     • Find the previously created Score text object .
       
     • Change the Modification’s sign to set to.
       
     • Set Text to "Score:" + ToString(Variable(Score)).
       
   • Change scene variable Score by +1:
     • Search for Change variable value (General/Variables).
       
     • Add a new Scene Variable named Score.
       
     • Choose add and set the value to +1.
       
     • (Don’t forget to apply the variable!)

f. Add Sound Effects

1. Add Sound Action:
   • Action: Play a sound effect when certain events occur (e.g., collecting Cherries).
     
2. Import or Create Sound:
   • Use GDevelop’s built-in jfxr tool or import your own sound files.
     
   • Name and save the sound appropriately.

g. Test

1. Click on “Preview”

6. Level Design

Just have fun.

Additional Tips

• Save Regularly: Frequently save your project to avoid losing progress.
  
• Test Frequently: Playtest your game often to ensure everything works as expected.
  
• Use Asset Store: Leverage GDevelop’s Asset Store for additional sprites, sounds, and resources.
  
• Explore Tutorials: GDevelop offers various tutorials and documentation to help you learn more advanced features.