User manual

Flappy Birds on the Display
Use
File -> Examples -> GameEngine -> Game-Engine1 -> FlappyBirdClone
to
open the program. The goal of the game is to navigate a small bird between two
pipes. The display is turned edgeways for the purpose of this game, so you can
make the most of the wider side of the display. The control is easy to remember,
because in general you only need the hardware button shown left, which is used to
give the bird a brief upward flap. Nevertheless, some expertise is needed, because if
you press on the button for too long, the bird bumps into the top pipe, the wing flap is
not enough, and the bird plummets to the ground. The degree of difficulty increases
with every obstacle, because the gap between the two pipes is getting smaller and
smaller. If the bird fails, the number of hurdles overcome is displayed. Start from the
beginning by pressing the button again.
The program is a nice skill game for in-between and it can cause you some frustra-
tion at the same time. Still, it is a lot of fun to compete against friends in direct com-
parison. An option to connect a battery is available, so you can use the controller
with the display while on the move. However, always make sure to disconnect the
power supply when done with playing; the Arduino board with about 70 mA is a real
energy-hungry consumer.
The source code of the project is very comprehensive and will not be explained in
detail here. However, only Game Engine 1 functions, which you are familiar with by
now, are used. As you can see, a lot can be done with only these resources. The
online handbook mentioned at the start dives considerably deeper into the topic of
game programming. Other games are introduced, examples are provided, and also
additional game
engines are presented; thereby expanding types and possibilities of the games. In
addition to Super Mario offshoot and a Point-n-Click Adventure, you will learn about
the most important game elements, too. At the end, you will be capable of program-
ming your own games.
APPENDIX