Gone Fishing

Let's load the completed version of Gone Fishing and try it out. Download the arcade-Gone_Fishing.png image cartridge file here by right-clicking on the image and saving it to your computer.

Load the Code

This is a special .png file that contains not only an image, but the entire game is embedded in it as well!

Simply drag it from the location to which you saved the image on your computer (such as the desktop as shown here) onto the Chrome browser window that is already running MakeCode Arcade (MCA). Note that the image in this graphic is of a different game, but you'll be dragging the Gone Fishing .png file.

This will open the code into the MCA editor.

If you're ever unsure where a MakeCode block comes from, you can often find it by matching the block's color to a category on the left side of the editor. You can also use the handy search function!

Play the Game

Download the game onto your PyGamer (it won't play in the simulator window in the browser due to the use of external peripherals).

Here's how you play:

Casting

  • pull back (down) on the thumbpad to lock the reel
  • make a casting motion and shake the PyGamer (you'll hear a tone play)
  • release the thumbpad to finish casting

Now, wait for a fish to swim by. You can reel the hook up and down with the crank, and you can move the hook and line side to side a bit randomly by clicking the rotary encoder's push switch.

Reeling

Once you've hooked a fish start reeling it in by rotating the crank forward. You need to reel at a medium pace or you'll loose the fish! The word "GOOD" will display while you're at a good speed, otherwise "TOO FAST" or "TOO SLOW" will pop up and you'll need to correct your speed. If you crank at the wrong speed for too long, the fish gets away and you loose one of five hearts.

How it Works

Here are the key features of the gameplay mechanic:

On Start

In the setup, we provide the game splash screen as well as the instruction text blocks.

Next, we'll set the crank pins as we did on the previous example. (You remember the one with the cake, right? Yummy.)

set pull pin

Since we loaded the Feather extension, we have access to the IO pins on the board. We can use the rotary encoder button (momentary switch) which we plugged into the PyGamer's D9 pin.

In the Pins category, you'll find the set pull pin __ to down block. Here we've chosen pin D9 and set the pull up resistor direction to up. This means the pin voltage will be normally pulled to high, and when the button is pressed the pin will drop to low. Later we'll see how to read this stated of the button press.

Casting Variables

We set up a few variables to keep track of the reel casting motions, as well as the state of a fish being hooked or not. These are used later to determine things such as which sprites to display, location of the hook and line, and more.

Background

We also create a background image sprite for our game screen. Note how the water color has been created with a checkerboard dither pattern of dark blue and light blue, which is done to match the water layer we'll look at next so the two transition seamlessly into each other at the top of the water's edge.

Water Layer

The water layer sprite is also a checkerboard dither pattern, but this time the pattern alternates between light blue pixels and transparent pixels. The overall effect in the game when this sprite is set as the topmost layer in the Z-depth of the screen is that the fish swimming underneath it will appear as if they're under a semi-transparent layer. Since we can't do partial opacity pixels in MakeCode Arcade, this is a useful trick!

When a fish is hooked and reeled in, it will emerge from the water (as it is raised on the Y-axis above the topmost water pixels).

Additionally, as the fish move the will appear to have a bit of extra secondary motion for free, as the details on the fish move under the blue pixels and then reappear in the transparent spots.

Painting with Code

In order to create the large dithered water layer, rather than paint one pixel at a time, or use and external image editing tool, I simply did some copying and pasting of the code in the JavaScript tab at the top of MakeCode Arcade.

This is what it looks like:

let waterLayer = sprites.create(img`
    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    . . . . . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . 9
    . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . . . . . . . . . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
    . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9
    9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 .
`, SpriteKind.setDressing)

Hook and Line

The hook and line sprites are made of two separate sprites so we can detect collisions between the fish and the hook, while ignoring the line.

All position settings when casting and reeling will be applied to the hook, while the line will simply follow along. To keep this simple, both sprites are the same dimensions, even though the hook is much smaller than the line vertically.

Spawn Fish

We've used two functions with associated on game update every ___ ms blocks to create our fish with some randomness of spawn rate and velocity.

Casting

In order to cast the line, it's a three step process. The on down button pressed block begins the process by checking that the line isn't already cast, then sets the triggered variable to true.

The prevCrank variable is used to store the current value of the crank position of the rotary encoder, which will be used later to offset the raw value from where we want to place the hook on the screen.

We set the hook and line sprites to blank, as if they're over the player's head and behind them as they prepare to cast the line. We also play a low tone.

When the player shakes the PyGamer, the on shake block flips the thrown variable to true so that the game will then pay attention to the release of the down button. It also plays a high tone.

Finally, when the on down button released block runs it resets the thrown and triggered variables, sets the hook to a random position on the X-axis, makes the sprites visible again, and plays a different tone. It also sets the cast variable true, which is what allows the next important code to run.

If the player wants to try moving the line side to side, they can press the rotary encoder push button in. This will cause the digital read pin D9 block to return a Low or false signal, and then the hook x value will be set to a random position.

Cranking and Hooking

This forever loop is always running. When the game starts, the cast variable is false, so the hook and line are set near the top of the screen.

The hook and line are sent to the bottom of the lake when cast. Then if a fish is hooked, the sprite will change from a swimming fish to a hookedFish sprite. It is set to auto destroy so that it will disappear when successfully reeled in.

When the line has been cast, we set the crankScaling variable to 4 (you can adjust if needed) and is used as a multiplier on the number of encoder rotations needed to move the hook. As the rotary encoder is turned, the crank position is updated and the hook sprite's position is set to the crank position minus the prevCrank position, divided by the crankScaling value and then an offset of 45 is added to get the hook lower down. 

Hooking a Fish

When the hook player sprite overlaps either an orangeFish or yellowFish if one hasn't already been hooked and caught, the original fish sprite is destroyed so the hooked fish sprite can take its place. We also set the fightCounter to 0 which will be used during reeling to determine when the fish or fisherperson has won!

Cranking Battle

Trying to reel in a fish can be hard! To simulate this in the game, we use this game update every 150ms block and check if the player is rotating too fast (more than 10 crank position value changes per 150ms) or too slow (fewer than 5 crank position value changes per 150ms).

Note that these values are set to negative values because of the pin order of the rotary encoder. If the encoder pins were swapped these would be positive value changes.

At each 150ms check, if the change value isn't in the 5-10 range, then the fightCounter is increased by 1. When the fight counter is greater than 30, the fish gets away!

 

Fish Catch or Escape

We'll use the on destroyed sprite of kind Food to react to a fish either being reeled off the screen or getting away.

First, we'll reset all of the casting checks

Then, if the fish gotAway we play the sad power down sound, splash the text "That one got away.", and subtract one from the life counter

If the fish didn't get away, then we increase the score by 1 for orange fish or 2 for the rarer yellow fish.

The ba ding sound is played, and then we show the long text congratulating the player on catching the fish, and reporting the fish's weight from a random number to text conversion block.

Everything is reset and they can start fishing again!

This guide was first published on Aug 12, 2019. It was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

This page (Fishing Game in MakeCode Arcade) was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

Text editor powered by tinymce.