Table of Contents
Implementing a Basic Multiplayer Feature in Scratch
Step 1: Understanding Scratch’s Limitations
Scratch is inherently a single-player platform with limited networking capabilities. However, you can use ‘cloud variables’ to store and share game data between players. Cloud variables are only available in Scratch when you are logged in, and they can only store numbers, not strings or other data types.
Step 2: Setting Up Cloud Variables
- Log into your Scratch account to enable cloud variables.
- In your Scratch project, create a new variable and check ‘Cloud variable (stored on server)’ to make it a cloud variable. Name your variable appropriately, such as ‘PlayerScore’.
Step 3: Scripting Player Interactions
Design your game to read and write to cloud variables. Use these variables to update the state of the game, such as player positions and scores.
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when green flag clicked
set [PlayerID] to (pick random (1) to (1000000))
set [PlayerScore] to (0)This initializes a player ID and score. Whenever a player’s score changes, update the cloud variable.
Step 4: Synchronizing Game State
- Regularly update the cloud variable with the current state of important game data. For instance, each player can constantly send updates of their actions to the cloud variable.
- Other players can read these updates and adjust their instance of the game accordingly.
when I receive [PlayerMoved]
change [PlayerPosition v] by (1)Step 5: Testing and Debugging
Continuously test your game to ensure that cloud updates are being transmitted correctly between all players. Keep track of any desynchronization issues and resolve them to ensure smooth gameplay.
Considerations
Remember that Scratch’s cloud system is not designed for real-time multiplayer interaction, so there may be latency issues or limitations with the number of updates you can perform in a certain time frame. Consider using simple turn-based or asynchronous game mechanics to mitigate these limitations.