Year 9 - Item 2

Year 9 - Item 2

1. Prescribed Criteria

   • At least 10 variables
     • Story needs 10+ different variables in total
     • Use player_name, player_health, gold, fuel, oxygen, has_keycard, location, score, ship_name, player_alive
     • Test: print every variable at game end to prove all 10 exist and change
   • At least two choices per input
     • Every decision gives the player 2+ options
     • Offer pairs such as Left | Right, Yes | No, Fix | Ignore
     • Test: type each option and check the correct path runs
   • Use a WHILE loop
     • Main game must repeat using a WHILE loop
     • Test: play through to the end and check the loop stops at the right time
     • Use while player_alive == True: to keep the game running until health reaches 0 or the player wins
   • Variables match the storyline
     • Variable names must make sense for the story
     • Test: ask a classmate to read the code and guess what each variable does
     • Sci-fi names like oxygen, fuel and has_keycard instead of x, y, z

2. Ideas for story

   • Add Health Counter
     • Track health using integers. Zero means game over.
       • health -= 20
   • Change to Sci-Fi Story
     • Description
       • Set game on an abandoned spaceship. Malfunctioning AI.
   • Track Player Name
     • Capture name string at start. Personalizes the game.
       • player_name = input("Enter pilot name: ")

3. Self Determined Criteria

   • Colourful text output
     • The persona wants a game with different colours
     • Use ANSI colour codes: red for danger, green for safe, yellow for items
     • Test: run it and ask users in the survey if the colours help them read it
   • Simple, clear inputs
     • The persona wants simple inputs and no strict typing
     • Use single-letter or number choices (1 or 2, A or B) and handle invalid input with a retry message
     • Test: type wrong inputs on purpose and check the game doesn’t crash

4. Algorithim Constructs

   • Sequence
     • Code runs line by line. It goes from top to bottom.
   • Assignment
     • Storing a value inside a variable. Use the = operator
       • Set starting health: player_health = 100
   • Selection & Condition
     • Checking a True/False statement. It chooses a path.
       • if choice == "open":
   • Iteration
     • Repeating a block of code. It uses loops.
       • Main game loop: while player_alive == True:.
   • Modularisation
     • Breaking code into smaller functions. They are reusable.
       • Create an intro function: def display_intro()

5. Coding Constructs

   • IF Statements
     • Conditional structures that branch the story. Based on inputs.
       • if choice == "left": print("Trap!")
   • FOR Loops
     • Loops that count or loop through lists.
       • Loop through inventory: for item in inventory:.

6. Existing Test Based Adventure Games

   • Forests of Lyrica
     • Fantasy game showing core movement logic.
       • Clean layout. Easy navigation rules (North, South).
       • Repetitive text. Linear structure limits choices.
   • Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
     • A classic sci-fi text adventure game. Highly interactive.
       • Great world-building. Funny branching narrative paths.
       • High difficulty. Strict typing inputs frustrate players.