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Scratch using iPads - Creating smooth platformer controls without keyboard

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SM

SummerCamp_Maya

Posted on July 17, 2024 • Intermediate

📱 iPad Scratch Platformer Challenge!

Hello everyone! I’ve been running Scratch summer camps in Tenerife for two summers now, and the kids absolutely love it! 🏖️✨

However, we’re facing a unique challenge - our summer camp only has iPads available (no physical keyboards), which makes creating smooth platformer games quite tricky! 😅

What we’ve accomplished so far:

  • ✅ Created custom touch buttons for LEFT/RIGHT/UP/DOWN
  • ✅ Used “when this sprite clicked” with broadcast messages
  • ✅ Basic movement is working!

The challenge now:

  • 🎯 Need smooth, flowing sprite movement (like Griffpatch & Zinnea tutorials)
  • 🧗 Want to implement wall climbing mechanics
  • ⚡ Need proper gravity and sensing systems
  • 🎮 Create professional-feeling platformer controls on touch devices

Can anyone share tips for creating smooth platformer mechanics specifically designed for iPad/touch interfaces? The kids are getting more advanced and want to build games like the YouTube tutorials! 🙏

TC

TouchControl_Expert

Replied 1 hour later • ⭐ Best Answer

What an awesome project @SummerCamp_Maya! Teaching kids Scratch on iPads is fantastic. Here’s a complete solution for smooth touch-based platformer controls:

🎮 Touch Control System Architecture

flowchart TD A[📱 Touch Input] --> B{Button Type} B -->|Movement| C[Velocity System] B -->|Jump| D[Jump Logic] B -->|Special| E[Wall Climb] C --> F[Smooth Movement] D --> G[Gravity Physics] E --> H[Wall Detection] F --> I[Collision Check] G --> I H --> I I --> J[Update Position] J --> K[Visual Feedback] K --> L[🎯 Smooth Gameplay] style A fill:#e3f2fd style L fill:#e8f5e8 style C fill:#fff3e0 style D fill:#f3e5f5 style E fill:#fce4ec

🛠️ Complete iPad Touch Control System

Here’s a professional touch-based platformer system designed specifically for iPads:

    // Variables needed (all for this sprite only):
// x_velocity, y_velocity, on_ground, touching_wall
// button_left_pressed, button_right_pressed, button_jump_pressed

when flag clicked
set [x_velocity v] to [0]
set [y_velocity v] to [0]
set [on_ground v] to [false]
set [touching_wall v] to [false]

📱 Step 1: Advanced Touch Button System

Create responsive touch buttons with visual feedback:

    // Left Button Sprite
when this sprite clicked
set [button_left_pressed v] to [true]
set size to (110) % // Visual feedback
wait (0.1) seconds
set size to (100) %
set [button_left_pressed v] to [false]

// For continuous movement, use this instead:
when this sprite clicked
set [button_left_pressed v] to [true]
repeat until <not <touching [mouse-pointer v] ?>>
// Movement happens in main loop
wait (0.02) seconds // Smooth updates
end
set [button_left_pressed v] to [false]
  
    // Right Button Sprite
when this sprite clicked
set [button_right_pressed v] to [true]
repeat until <not <touching [mouse-pointer v] ?>>
wait (0.02) seconds
end
set [button_right_pressed v] to [false]

// Jump Button Sprite
when this sprite clicked
set [button_jump_pressed v] to [true]
set size to (120) % // Bigger feedback for jump
wait (0.15) seconds
set size to (100) %
set [button_jump_pressed v] to [false]

⚡ Step 2: Smooth Velocity-Based Movement

Professional movement system that feels great on touch:

    // Main Player Movement (in player sprite)
when flag clicked
forever
// Horizontal movement
if <(button_left_pressed) = [true]> then
change [x_velocity v] by (-1.2) // Acceleration
end
if <(button_right_pressed) = [true]> then
change [x_velocity v] by (1.2) // Acceleration
end

// Friction (makes movement feel smooth)
set [x_velocity v] to ((x_velocity) * (0.85))

// Limit max speed
if <(x_velocity) > [8]> then
set [x_velocity v] to [8]
end
if <(x_velocity) < [-8]> then
set [x_velocity v] to [-8]
end

// Apply horizontal movement
change x by (x_velocity)
end

🧗 Step 3: Advanced Jump & Gravity System

Responsive jumping that works great with touch controls:

    // Gravity and Jump System
when flag clicked
forever
// Gravity
change [y_velocity v] by (-0.8)

// Jump logic
if <<(button_jump_pressed) = [true]> and <(on_ground) = [true]>> then
set [y_velocity v] to [12] // Jump strength
set [on_ground v] to [false]
play sound [jump v]
end

// Apply vertical movement
change y by (y_velocity)

// Ground collision
if <touching [ground v] ?> then
repeat until <not <touching [ground v] ?>>
change y by (1)
end
change y by (-1)
set [y_velocity v] to [0]
set [on_ground v] to [true]
else
set [on_ground v] to [false]
end
end

🧗 Step 4: Wall Climbing System

Advanced wall climbing perfect for touch controls:

    // Wall Climbing System
define check wall climbing
// Check if touching wall
if <touching [walls v] ?> then
set [touching_wall v] to [true]

// Wall climbing with jump button
if <(button_jump_pressed) = [true]> then
set [y_velocity v] to [6] // Climb speed

// Visual feedback
change [brightness v] effect by (10)
wait (0.1) seconds
change [brightness v] effect by (-10)
end

// Wall sliding (slower fall)
if <(y_velocity) < [0]> then
set [y_velocity v] to ((y_velocity) * (0.3)) // Slow slide
end
else
set [touching_wall v] to [false]
end

// Call this in your main loop
when flag clicked
forever
check wall climbing
end

🎯 Step 5: Enhanced Touch UI

Create a professional touch interface:

    // D-Pad Style Controls (Left Button)
when flag clicked
go to x: (-180) y: (-120) // Bottom left
set size to (80) %
show

// Visual states for better feedback
when I receive [button_pressed v]
set [color v] effect to (25)
wait (0.1) seconds
set [color v] effect to (0)

// Jump Button (make it bigger and more prominent)
when flag clicked
go to x: (180) y: (-120) // Bottom right
set size to (100) %
set [color v] effect to (50) // Different color
show

🌟 Step 6: Advanced Features

Professional touches that make the game feel amazing:

    // Coyote Time (jump grace period)
define coyote time system
if <(on_ground) = [false]> then
if <(coyote_timer) > [0]> then
change [coyote_timer v] by (-1)
// Still allow jumping
if <(button_jump_pressed) = [true]> then
set [y_velocity v] to [12]
set [coyote_timer v] to [0]
end
end
else
set [coyote_timer v] to [5] // 5 frame grace period
end

// Jump Buffering (register early jumps)
define jump buffering
if <(button_jump_pressed) = [true]> then
set [jump_buffer v] to [8] // 8 frame buffer
end

if <<(jump_buffer) > [0]> and <(on_ground) = [true]>> then
set [y_velocity v] to [12]
set [jump_buffer v] to [0]
end

if <(jump_buffer) > [0]> then
change [jump_buffer v] by (-1)
end

This system creates buttery-smooth platformer controls perfect for iPad! 🎮✨

SM

SummerCamp_Maya

Replied 4 hours later

@TouchControl_Expert This is INCREDIBLE! 🤩

I implemented your velocity-based system over the weekend and the difference is night and day! The kids were amazed at how smooth and professional their games suddenly felt.

The wall climbing system works perfectly, and the visual feedback on the buttons makes everything feel so responsive. Thank you for saving our summer camp! 🏖️✨

The kids are now creating games that rival the YouTube tutorials they watch! 🎮

ME

MobileEducator_Pro

Replied 2 hours later

Fantastic solution! Here are some additional tips for iPad Scratch development:

📱 iPad-Specific Enhancements

  • Larger Touch Targets: Make buttons at least 44x44 pixels
  • Haptic Feedback: Use sound effects to simulate vibration
  • Gesture Controls: Swipe detection for special moves
  • Adaptive UI: Different layouts for portrait/landscape
    // Swipe Detection for Special Moves
when flag clicked
set [swipe_start_x v] to [0]
forever
if <mouse down?> then
set [swipe_start_x v] to (mouse x)
wait until <not <mouse down?>>
if <((mouse x) - (swipe_start_x)) > [100]> then
broadcast [swipe right v] // Special move
end
end
end

For connecting external keyboards, yes that works great! But this touch system ensures accessibility for all students.

VB

Vibelf_Community

Pinned Message • Moderator

📱 Master Mobile Game Development

Excellent mobile Scratch discussion! For educators and developers creating touch-friendly games, our community provides expert guidance on:

  • 🎯 Professional touch controls
  • 📱 Mobile-optimized game design
  • 🎮 Accessibility-focused development
  • 🏫 Educational game development

📚 Related Mobile Topics

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