CASE STUDY

Developer (python) | Pong Game 🏓

Contributer(s): Tyler Gustafson

Overview

A rendition of the iconic Pong game, developed in Python. This project involves maneuvering paddles to hit a ball back and forth across the screen. The goal is to outscore the opponent by making the ball pass their paddle. This development process allowed me to delve into the fundamentals of game physics and refine collision detection techniques. Find a friend and take them on in this classic arcade challenge!

Requirements

User:

Intuitive controls

Progressive difficulty

Optional

- Name input

- Tutorial

- Personalization options

Functional:

Game start welcome

2 paddle movement

Ball movement

Collision detection

Scoring System

High score tracker

Technical:

Python

Smooth performance

Run on multiple platforms (Windows, MacOS, Linux)

Not built for mobile

Approach

The structure of this Pong game app is well-organized and modular, using a clear separation of "roles" across five Python files, each containing specific classes that contribute to different aspects of the game.

Here's a description of how these components work together:

Main.py

This file acts as the central hub that initializes the game environment and starts the main game loop. It manages the flow of the game by calling updates on the ball, paddles, and scoreboard, and by processing player inputs. It also handles transitions between different screens like the start screen and the gameplay screen.

Startscreen.py

The startscreen module is responsible for displaying the initial game screen that players see when they launch the game. This file sets the stage for the game and includes functionalities for presenting the game title and wishing them goodluck.

Scoreboard.py

This file manages the scoring system of the game. It keeps track of and displays the scores of both players. The scoreboard updates every time a player scores a point by getting the ball past their opponent's paddle. It can also display additional messages like winning announcements or alerts when the game ends.

Ball.py

The ball module defines the behavior and properties of the ball used in the game. This includes its movement speed, direction, and what happens when it collides with paddles or the edges of the game screen. This file is key to implementing the physics of the ball's motion and handling its interactions with other game elements.

Paddle.py

This file contains the definitions and functionalities of the paddles controlled by the players. It handles input from the players to move the paddles up and down the screen. The module ensures that the paddles do not move outside the playable area and responds to user inputs in real time to provide a responsive gaming experience.

This modular design not only simplifies the development and maintenance of the game by encapsulating specific functionalities within dedicated classes but also enhances the scalability of the game, allowing for easier updates and potential expansions in the future. Each class operates independently yet interacts cohesively, driven by the central game loop managed in main.py.