arrow_back Tell a Story

Many video games tell a story throughout gameplay.

This video will show you how to change the characters, add dialogue, and create a starting scene for your game.

By changing the look of the project, and adding some story elements, you can make your game unique.

An easy way to customize your game is to change the costumes of the sprites.

First, select the player sprite.

Click the costumes tab, then click choose costume from library.

This example selects a dinosaur sprite, but you can choose anything you like.

Next, choose a costume for the goal sprite.

Now that you've changed your sprites, add say blocks to develop the story.

Select one of the sprites, and make it talk.

This example uses say blocks to make the dino say Roar! I'm so hungry!

Add more say blocks to your project to complete the story.

Adding when flag clicked block above the say blocks to make the sprites talk when the project starts.

Next, add a title scene to your project.

Many games have an opening sequence that introduces the game.

In this example, the title screen says Hungry Dinosaur.

To add a title scene, click the paint a new backdrop icon.

Use the text tool to add a title for your game. Be creative.

Next, show the title scene when your game starts.

Select the sprite you made talk.

In this example, that's the dinosaur sprite.

Drag out a switch backdrop block and place it above the say blocks.

Select the name of the backdrop you just created.

Now the block text says when flag clicked, switch to backdrop one, say Roar! I'm so hungry!

Click the flag to test it.

Uh oh, the backdrop never switches back to the maze.

That's not right.

Drag out a switch backdrop block and place it after the first switch backdrop block.

Change the value to the name of your maze.

Click the flag to test.

Well that didn't work either.

Now you don't see the first backdrop at all.

That's because Scratch switches between them really quickly.

To slow it down, add a wait block between the two switch backdrop blocks.

Test it again.

Great, it works.

Now it's your turn.

Switch the sprite's costumes.

Use say blocks to tell a story, and add an opening scene to the game with a new backdrop.

Make the characters your own, and have them tell a story.

The story could be funny, sweet, sad, or goofy.

It's up to you.