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Gabriel Thullen edited this page Jun 28, 2026 · 1 revision

Tutorial: Create a Platformer Game

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Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll create a Platformer Game - a side-scrolling action game where the player runs, jumps, and navigates platforms while avoiding hazards and collecting coins. This classic genre is perfect for learning gravity, jumping mechanics, and platform collision.

What you'll learn:

  • Gravity and falling physics
  • Jump mechanics with ground detection
  • Platform collision (landing on top)
  • Left/right movement
  • Collectibles and hazards

Difficulty: Beginner Preset: Beginner Preset

Step 1: Understand the Game

Game Mechanics

  1. The player is affected by gravity and falls down
  2. The player can move left and right
  3. The player can jump when standing on ground
  4. Platforms stop the player from falling through
  5. Collect coins for points
  6. Reach the flag to complete the level

What We Need

Element Purpose
Player The character you control
Ground/Platform Solid surfaces to stand on
Coin Collectible items for score
Spike Hazard that hurts the player
Flag Goal that ends the level

Step 2: Create the Sprites

2.1 Player Sprite

  1. In the Resource Tree, right-click on Sprites and select Create Sprite
  2. Name it spr_player
  3. Click Edit Sprite to open the sprite editor
  4. Draw a simple character (rectangle with face, or stick figure)
  5. Use a bright color like blue or red
  6. Size: 32x48 pixels (taller than wide for a character)
  7. Click OK to save

2.2 Ground Sprite

  1. Create a new sprite named spr_ground
  2. Draw a grass/dirt platform tile
  3. Use brown and green colors
  4. Size: 32x32 pixels

2.3 Platform Sprite

  1. Create a new sprite named spr_platform
  2. Draw a floating platform (wood or stone)
  3. Size: 64x16 pixels (wide and thin)

2.4 Coin Sprite

  1. Create a new sprite named spr_coin
  2. Draw a small yellow/gold circle
  3. Size: 16x16 pixels

2.5 Spike Sprite

  1. Create a new sprite named spr_spike
  2. Draw triangle spikes pointing up
  3. Use gray or red colors
  4. Size: 32x32 pixels

2.6 Flag Sprite

  1. Create a new sprite named spr_flag
  2. Draw a flag on a pole
  3. Use bright colors (green flag, brown pole)
  4. Size: 32x64 pixels

Step 3: Create the Ground Object

The ground is a solid platform that stops the player from falling.

  1. Right-click on Objects and select Create Object
  2. Name it obj_ground
  3. Set the sprite to spr_ground
  4. Check the "Solid" checkbox
  5. No events needed

Step 4: Create the Platform Object

Platforms work the same as ground but can be placed in the air.

  1. Create a new object named obj_platform
  2. Set the sprite to spr_platform
  3. Check the "Solid" checkbox
  4. No events needed

Tip: You can make the platform a child of obj_ground to share the same collision behavior.

Step 5: Create the Player Object

The player is the most complex object with gravity, jumping, and movement.

  1. Create a new object named obj_player
  2. Set the sprite to spr_player

5.1 Create Event - Initialize Variables

Event: Create

  1. Add Event → Create
  2. Add Action: Control → Execute Code 
// Movement variables
hspeed_max = 4;      // Maximum horizontal speed
vspeed_max = 10;     // Maximum fall speed
jump_force = -10;    // Jump strength (negative = up)
gravity_force = 0.5; // How fast we fall

// Current speeds
hsp = 0;
vsp = 0;

// State
on_ground = false;

5.2 Step Event - Movement and Physics

Event: Step

  1. Add Event → Step → Step
  2. Add Action: Control → Execute Code 
// === HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT ===
// Get input
var move_input = keyboard_check(vk_right) - keyboard_check(vk_left);

// Set horizontal speed
hsp = move_input * hspeed_max;

// === GRAVITY ===
// Apply gravity
vsp += gravity_force;

// Cap fall speed
if (vsp > vspeed_max) {
    vsp = vspeed_max;
}

// === GROUND CHECK ===
// Check if we're on ground (1 pixel below us)
on_ground = place_meeting(x, y + 1, obj_ground);

// === JUMPING ===
// Jump if on ground and pressing up/space
if (on_ground && (keyboard_check_pressed(vk_up) || keyboard_check_pressed(vk_space))) {
    vsp = jump_force;
}

// === HORIZONTAL COLLISION ===
if (place_meeting(x + hsp, y, obj_ground)) {
    // Move as close as possible
    while (!place_meeting(x + sign(hsp), y, obj_ground)) {
        x += sign(hsp);
    }
    hsp = 0;
}
x += hsp;

// === VERTICAL COLLISION ===
if (place_meeting(x, y + vsp, obj_ground)) {
    // Move as close as possible
    while (!place_meeting(x, y + sign(vsp), obj_ground)) {
        y += sign(vsp);
    }
    vsp = 0;
}
y += vsp;

Step 6: Create the Coin Object

Coins add to the score when collected.

  1. Create a new object named obj_coin
  2. Set the sprite to spr_coin

Event: Collision with obj_player

  1. Add Event → Collision → obj_player
  2. Add Action: Score → Set Score
    • New Score: 10
    • Check "Relative"
  3. Add Action: Main1 → Destroy Instance
    • Applies to: Self

Step 7: Create the Spike Object

Spikes hurt the player and restart the level.

  1. Create a new object named obj_spike
  2. Set the sprite to spr_spike

Event: Collision with obj_player

  1. Add Event → Collision → obj_player
  2. Add Action: Main2 → Show Message
    • Message: Ouch! You hit a spike!
  3. Add Action: Main1 → Restart Room

Step 8: Create the Flag Object

The flag ends the level when the player reaches it.

  1. Create a new object named obj_flag
  2. Set the sprite to spr_flag

Event: Collision with obj_player

  1. Add Event → Collision → obj_player
  2. Add Action: Main2 → Show Message
    • Message: Level Complete! Score: + string(score)
  3. Add Action: Main1 → Next Room (or Restart Room for single level)

Step 9: Create the Game Controller

The game controller displays the score.

  1. Create a new object named obj_game_controller
  2. No sprite needed

Event: Draw

  1. Add Event → Draw → Draw
  2. Add Action: Control → Execute Code 
draw_set_color(c_white);
draw_text(10, 10, "Score: " + string(score));

// Optional: Draw lives
// draw_text(10, 30, "Lives: " + string(global.lives));

Step 10: Design Your Level

  1. Right-click on Rooms and select Create Room
  2. Name it room_level1
  3. Set the room size (e.g., 800x480)
  4. Enable "Snap to Grid" and set grid to 32x32

Placing Objects

Build your level following these guidelines:

  1. Create ground - Place obj_ground along the bottom
  2. Add platforms - Place obj_platform in the air for jumping challenges
  3. Add gaps - Leave spaces in the ground (pits)
  4. Place coins - Scatter them on platforms and in hard-to-reach spots
  5. Add spikes - Place near pits or on platforms for challenge
  6. Place the flag - At the end of the level
  7. Place the player - At the start (left side)
  8. Add game controller - Anywhere (it's invisible)

Example Level Layout

                                        F
                                      ===
                          C       C
                        =====   =====
            C                           C
          ===== X     X         X     =====
    P                   C
  ====== === ===   ===   === === ===== ======
  GGGGGG     GGG   GGG   GGG         GGGGGGGG

G = Ground    P = Player    F = Flag    C = Coin
X = Spike     === = Platform

Step 11: Test Your Game!

  1. Click Run or press F5 to test
  2. Use Left/Right arrows to move
  3. Press Up or Space to jump
  4. Collect coins for points
  5. Avoid spikes!
  6. Reach the flag to win!

Enhancements (Optional)

Add Variable Jump Height

In the Step event, add this after jump code:

// Variable jump - release early for short jump
if (vsp < 0 && !keyboard_check(vk_up) && !keyboard_check(vk_space)) {
    vsp = max(vsp, jump_force / 2);
}

Add Double Jump

In Create event:

can_double_jump = true;

In Step event (modify jump section):

if (keyboard_check_pressed(vk_up) || keyboard_check_pressed(vk_space)) {
    if (on_ground) {
        vsp = jump_force;
        can_double_jump = true;
    } else if (can_double_jump) {
        vsp = jump_force;
        can_double_jump = false;
    }
}

Add Moving Platforms

  1. Create obj_moving_platform as a child of obj_platform

Event: Create

move_distance = 100;
start_x = x;
hspeed = 2;

Event: Step

if (x > start_x + move_distance) hspeed = -2;
if (x < start_x) hspeed = 2;

Add Enemy

  1. Create obj_enemy with a simple AI

Event: Create

hspeed = 2;

Event: Collision with obj_ground (horizontal)

hspeed = -hspeed;  // Reverse at walls

Event: Collision with obj_player

// Check if player is above (stomping)
if (other.y < y - 16) {
    instance_destroy();
    with (other) { vsp = jump_force / 2; }
} else {
    room_restart();  // Player dies
}

Add Lives System

In obj_game_controller Create event:

if (!variable_global_exists("lives")) {
    global.lives = 3;
}

When player dies:

global.lives -= 1;
if (global.lives <= 0) {
    show_message("Game Over!");
    global.lives = 3;
    room_goto_first();
} else {
    room_restart();
}

Troubleshooting

Problem Solution
Player falls through ground Check that obj_ground has "Solid" checked
Player can't jump Verify on_ground check is working; ground must be solid
Player gets stuck in walls Make sure collision code moves pixel by pixel
Jump feels floaty Increase gravity_force or make jump_force more negative
Jump feels too weak Decrease gravity_force or make jump_force more negative

What You Learned

Congratulations! You've created a platformer game! You learned:

  • Gravity physics - Applying constant downward force
  • Jump mechanics - Setting negative vertical speed when on ground
  • Ground detection - Using place_meeting to check what's below
  • Collision handling - Moving pixel by pixel to walls
  • Hazards - Creating objects that restart the level
  • Level design - Building platforming challenges

Challenge Ideas

  1. Wall Jump - Allow jumping off walls
  2. Dash Move - Quick horizontal burst of speed
  3. Crumbling Platforms - Platforms that fall after stepped on
  4. Checkpoints - Save progress mid-level
  5. Boss Battle - Add a final enemy with multiple hits

See Also

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