Scratch Programming Language: Build a Simple Game, Part 4

Use a Variable to Keep Score

Keep track of your progress as you master the game of Pong!

1. 
   From the Variables group, select Make a Variable.
    
2. 
   In the New variable name: box, enter score.
   
   
   
   
   
   
    
3. 
   From Variables, drag Change (my variable) by (1) to the larger Ball code stack. Insert it inside the if-then block, above the turn (pick random [160] to [200]) degrees code block.
    
4. 
   Click the my variable drop-down and change it to score.
   
   
    
5. Your finished stack of code blocks should look something like this:
   

Now let's create a new stack of code to reset the score and the position of the ball each time a new game is started.

Reset the Score to 0 at the Start of Game

1. 
   In the lower right, ensure that the Ball sprite is selected.
   
    
2. 
   From Variables, select the set ( My variable ) to ( 0 ) code block and drag it to the middle.
   Note: This is the start of a new stack of code blocks.
3. 
   In the new code block, click the ( my variable ) drop-down and select score.
   
   
   
    

Center Ball at Start of Game

This moves the ball to the center of the play area when a new game is started (when the green flag is clicked). This is essential, as a previous game probably left the ball at the bottom of the play area.

1. From Motion, select the go to x: ( value )  y: ( value ) code block and drag it out to join with the previous code block. This block can be placed above or .
2. Click the x: value and change to 0.
3. Click the y: value and change to 0.
4. At the left, under Events, find the When () clicked code block. Add it to the top of your new "stack," for a total of three blocks.

Your finished stack of code blocks should look like this:

That's it! You're done! Now you can go play a game you made yourself!

How to Share Your Scratch Project!

You need to have a free Scratch account to save and share programs.

1. Go to scratch.mit.edu.
2. 
   In the upper right, select the Sign in button.
    
3. 
   In the Sign in window, enter your Username and Password and click Sign in.
   
   
   
   
   
    
4. 
   In the upper right, click your Username.
5. From the drop-down menu, select My Stuff.
   
   
   
    
6. On the My Stuff page, select either the name of the project to go to the Project Page.
7. On the Project Page, fill in any information you wish in the Instructions or the Notes and Credits boxes.
8. 
   In the upper right, click the Share button to make your program public. Now others can try it, leave comments, and remix it to make their own version!
    
9. 
   In the lower right, select the Copy Link button, so you can send the link to your friends!
    
10. 
    To make the project private again, return to the My Stuff page and click the Unshare link.