Introduction to pygame (original) (raw)

**Pygame is a set of Python modules designed for writing video games. It adds functionality on top of the excellent SDL library, enabling you to create fully-featured games and multimedia programs in the Python language. It's key benefits include:

• **Beginner-Friendly: Simple Python syntax makes it ideal for newcomers.
• **Active Community: Rich with tutorials, examples and global support.
• **Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, Mac and Linux.
• **Versatile: Suitable for games, simulations and interactive apps.
• **Free & Open Source: No cost, no restrictions.

Installing Pygame

Pygame requires Python 3.6.1 or later, as newer versions are more beginner-friendly and offer improved performance. If you don’t have Python installed, download it from python.org.

To install Pygame, use the following command:

python3 -m pip install -U pygame --user

After installation, verify if it works by running a built-in example:

python3 -m pygame.examples.aliens

If the game launches successfully, you are ready to start using Pygame!

**Creating your first pygame program

Once Pygame is installed, let’s create a simple program that displays four squares on the screen.

**Importing Pygame Modules

# Import the pygame module

import pygame

# Import constants for easier access to key events

from pygame.locals import *

Before using any Pygame functionality, we need to import its modules.

Understanding key pygame concepts

• **Sprite: A 2D object (like our square) displayed on the screen.
• **Surface: A canvas for drawing (even the screen is a Surface).
• **Rect: A rectangle object for positioning and collisions.

Implementation code:

Python `

import pygame from pygame.locals import *

class Sq(pygame.sprite.Sprite): def init(self): super().init() self.surf = pygame.Surface((25, 25)) self.surf.fill((0, 200, 255))

pygame.init() # Init Pygame win = pygame.display.set_mode((800, 600)) # Game window 800x600

Create 4 squares

s1, s2, s3, s4 = Sq(), Sq(), Sq(), Sq()

Game loop

run = True while run: for e in pygame.event.get(): if e.type == QUIT or (e.type == KEYDOWN and e.key == K_BACKSPACE): run = False

# Draw squares in corners
win.blit(s1.surf, (40, 40))
win.blit(s2.surf, (40, 530))
win.blit(s3.surf, (730, 40))
win.blit(s4.surf, (730, 530))

pygame.display.flip()

`

**Output

**Explanation:

• **Sq class creates a 25x25 light blue square sprite in Pygame by extending pygame.sprite.Sprite, initializing the parent class, and filling the surface with color (0, 200, 255).
• **pygame.event.get() handles all incoming events. If the event type is QUIT, the game exits when the window close button is clicked. Similarly, if a KEYDOWN event occurs and the Backspace key is pressed (e.key == pygame.K_BACKSPACE), the game will exit.
• **win.blit(s1.surf, (40, 40)) draws square 1 at the top-left, s2 at the bottom-left, s3 at the top-right and s4 at the bottom-right.
• **pygame.display.flip() updates the screen to show the drawn squares.

Catch the falling blocks mini game

Let’s create a simple, real game where a player-controlled paddle catches falling blocks. Its features include:

• Move the paddle left/right using the arrow keys.
• Catch falling blocks to earn points.
• Game Over if a block hits the ground. Python `

import pygame import random import sys

pygame.init() # Init pygame W, H = 600, 600 # Screen setup

screen = pygame.display.set_mode((W, H)) pygame.display.set_caption("Catch the Falling Blocks")

WHT, BLU, RED, BLK = (255, 255, 255), (0, 200, 255), (255, 0, 0), (0, 0, 0) # Colors

Clock and font

clock = pygame.time.Clock() font = pygame.font.SysFont(None, 36)

Paddle and block

paddle = pygame.Rect(W // 2 - 60, H - 20, 120, 10) block = pygame.Rect(random.randint(0, W - 20), 0, 20, 20) b_speed = 5

score = 0 # Score

Game loop

run = True while run: screen.fill(BLK)

for e in pygame.event.get():
    if e.type == pygame.QUIT:
        pygame.quit()
        sys.exit()

# Paddle movement
keys = pygame.key.get_pressed()
if keys[pygame.K_LEFT] and paddle.left > 0:
    paddle.move_ip(-8, 0)
if keys[pygame.K_RIGHT] and paddle.right < W:
    paddle.move_ip(8, 0)

# Move block
block.y += b_speed

# Block caught
if block.colliderect(paddle):
    block.y = 0
    block.x = random.randint(0, W - 20)
    score += 1
    b_speed += 0.5  # Speed up

# Block missed
if block.y > H:
    game_over = font.render(f"Game Over! Final Score: {score}", True, RED)
    screen.blit(game_over, (W // 2 - 150, H // 2))
    pygame.display.flip()
    pygame.time.wait(2000)
    run = False

# Draw objects
pygame.draw.rect(screen, WHT, paddle)
pygame.draw.rect(screen, BLU, block)

# Display score
score_text = font.render(f"Score: {score}", True, WHT)
screen.blit(score_text, (10, 10))

pygame.display.flip()
clock.tick(60)

`