Build Animated Physics Game with JavaScript from Udemy

What makes a great game? Is it about beautiful, polished visuals or about gameplay that feels good and responsive? Is it about unique ideas, or maybe it's the little details, special secrets and Easter eggs? What are the ingredients in a perfect game development recipe?

In this class we will dive deep into sprite animation, interactivity and 2D physics. We will learn 10 important techniques every game developer needs to know and we will apply them in a real project.

Students of this class will get a lot of 2D professional high resolution game art for free. I provide environmental and character art assets in the form of ready to use sprite sheets, as well as source files with separate pieces for those of you who want to edit the colors, piece together your own mushrooms and creatures or to rig your own animations.

Today we will learn:

- How to implement a very simple AI to make the creatures feel alive

- How to control the FPS of our game and how to measure time to trigger periodic events

- How to restart the game by pressing a button

- How to apply collision detection, resolve collisions and use that to simulate physics

- How to use the built-in drawImage method to draw randomised game environments and animated characters from a sprite sheet

- How to capture mouse position and animate an 8 directional sprite sheet based on the relative position between the mouse and the player character

- How to use We will write and understand every line of code, we will not rely on any external frameworks or libraries

... and much more

The pace and techniques in this course are beginner friendly. Existing knowledge of If you understand JavaScript basics and know what functions, for loops and arrays are, you will be able to get the maximum value out of this class.

Have fun. :)

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Build animated physics game with JavaScript

Basic setup

Object Oriented Programming in JavaScript

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what should give you pause

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Uses JavaScript basics, including functions, for loops, and arrays, which allows learners to focus on game development concepts

Explores sprite animation, interactivity, and 2D physics, which are essential elements in modern game development

Teaches collision detection and resolution to simulate physics, which is a core mechanic in many games

Covers how to control the FPS of the game and measure time to trigger periodic events, which is important for game performance

Focuses on using the built-in drawImage method to draw randomized game environments and animated characters from a sprite sheet

Avoids external frameworks or libraries, which allows learners to understand every line of code and promotes deeper learning

Reviews summary

Build animated physics game in javascript

According to students, this course offers a practical approach to building a physics-based game using JavaScript, focusing on core mechanics without relying on external frameworks. Learners appreciate the hands-on coding and the ability to build a complete project. Many found it a great way to understand game loop, collision, and physics implementation directly on the HTML canvas. However, some reviews note that the code style can be challenging to follow or lacks modern JavaScript practices, suggesting it may require refactoring for larger projects. While marketed as beginner-friendly, some learners with basic JS knowledge found parts of the course surprisingly difficult or encountered small errors in the provided code. Overall, it's seen as a solid foundation for understanding how game elements work under the hood.

Effective coverage of key game elements.

"The explanations on collision detection and basic physics were very clear and practical."

"I really liked learning how to handle sprite animations and integrate them with movement."

"Understanding how to implement gravity and collisions manually was eye-opening."

"Covers sprite sheets and drawing techniques well."

Build a complete, working game step-by-step.

"Building the actual game alongside the instructor was the most valuable part."

"I love that we build a full, playable game by the end."

"The project-based approach kept me engaged and motivated."

"It's great to have a finished game project to show for my efforts."

Learn core game mechanics from scratch.

"I learned a lot about how things work under the hood by building everything from scratch, without frameworks."

"The course helps understand fundamental game loop, physics, and collision without relying on libraries."

"Great for seeing how to manage game state and rendering directly using the canvas API."

"It gave me a solid understanding of implementing game logic myself."

Some minor errors may require debugging.

"I encountered a few small bugs in the provided code that I had to fix myself."

"Had to troubleshoot some issues that weren't covered in the lectures."

"Requires some debugging skills to follow along successfully."

"A few typos in the code examples caused initial frustration."

Can be challenging for some beginners.

"Even with basic JS knowledge, I found myself struggling to keep up with certain concepts."

"Some parts felt like a big leap from the stated prerequisites."

"Might require pausing and rewatching sections frequently if you're not comfortable with JS already."

"I wasn't an absolute beginner, but it still felt challenging at times."

Implementation style may need refactoring.

"The code can get a bit messy and could benefit from better structure or modern JS features."

"While functional, the coding approach isn't always aligned with current best practices for larger applications."

"I had to spend time refactoring parts of the code to make it more maintainable."

"Could use more guidance on code architecture for scalability."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Build Animated Physics Game with JavaScript with these activities:

Review JavaScript Fundamentals

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Solidify your understanding of JavaScript basics, including variables, functions, loops, and arrays, to ensure a smooth learning experience in the course.

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Review online JavaScript tutorials and documentation.
Practice writing basic JavaScript programs.
Complete online JavaScript quizzes and exercises.

Eloquent JavaScript, 3rd Edition

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Read 'Eloquent JavaScript' to gain a deeper understanding of JavaScript concepts and programming paradigms, which will enhance your ability to build complex game mechanics.

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Read the chapters on data structures and functions.
Work through the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Experiment with the code examples in a JavaScript environment.

Collision Detection Exercises

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Practice implementing collision detection algorithms using JavaScript to improve your ability to create realistic physics interactions in the game.

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Implement basic AABB (Axis-Aligned Bounding Box) collision detection.
Implement circle collision detection.
Combine AABB and circle collision detection.

Four other activities

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Create a Simple Sprite Animation

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Design and animate a simple sprite using a sprite sheet to reinforce your understanding of animation techniques covered in the course.

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Find or create a sprite sheet with a character animation.
Write JavaScript code to display and animate the sprite.
Implement controls to change the animation state.

Extend the Game with a New Feature

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Add a new feature to the game, such as a new enemy type, a power-up, or a scoring system, to apply the concepts learned in the course and expand your game development skills.

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Choose a feature to add to the game.
Plan the implementation of the new feature.
Write the code for the new feature.
Test and debug the new feature.

HTML5 Game Development by Example

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Consult 'HTML5 Game Development by Example' for practical examples and guidance on implementing game mechanics using HTML5 technologies, reinforcing your understanding of the course material.

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Browse the book for examples related to the course topics.
Try implementing the examples in your own game project.
Adapt the examples to fit your specific game requirements.

Contribute to a JavaScript Game Library

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Contribute to an open-source JavaScript game library to gain experience working on a real-world project and collaborate with other developers.

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Find an open-source JavaScript game library on GitHub.
Identify a bug or feature to work on.
Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Build Animated Physics Game with JavaScript will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Developer

A game developer brings video game concepts to life through programming and design. This often involves creating interactive experiences, implementing game mechanics, and optimizing performance. By learning to build an animated physics game with JavaScript, you can gain hands-on experience with core game development concepts, such as sprite animation, physics simulation, and collision detection. If you want to become a game developer, this course may help you begin your journey to creating immersive and engaging games using web technologies. The course explores techniques for using JavaScript to implement game logic and mechanics. By mastering these techniques, you will be on the path to developing your own games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Game Programmer

Game programmers are responsible for writing the code that brings video games to life. They work closely with game designers and artists to implement game mechanics, AI, and other interactive features. If you want to become a game programmer, this course may be useful for you as it provides hands-on experience in JavaScript game development. The course covers essential programming concepts, such as object-oriented programming, collision detection, and physics simulation. By completing this course, you can build a portfolio of JavaScript games that showcase your programming skills to potential employers. In particular, exploring object oriented programming in Javascript may aid you in your journey.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Programmer

Indie Game Developer

Indie game developers work independently or in small teams to create and publish their own games. This often involves handling all aspects of game development, from design and programming to art and marketing. This course is perfectly tailored to help you on your journey to becoming an independent indie game developer. By learning to build an animated physics game with JavaScript, you can gain the skills and knowledge needed to create your own unique games. The course covers topics such as sprite animation, physics simulation, and collision detection, all of which are essential for indie game development. With the knowledge you gain from this course, you can start bringing your creative visions to life.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indie Game Developer

Educational Game Developer

Educational game developers create games that are designed to teach specific concepts or skills. This involves incorporating learning objectives into game mechanics and creating engaging and interactive experiences for learners. This course may be useful for you on your journey to becoming an educational game developer, since it provides hands-on experience in JavaScript game development. The course covers essential programming concepts, such as object-oriented programming, collision detection, and physics simulation. By completing this course, you can develop the skills needed to create engaging and educational games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Game Developer

Mobile Game Developer

Mobile game developers create games specifically for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This involves using specialized game engines and programming languages to optimize performance and user experience on mobile platforms. This course may be useful for you on your journey to joining the ranks of mobile game developers, since it provides a foundation in JavaScript game development, which can be applied to mobile game frameworks like Phaser or Cocos2d-js. The course covers essential game development concepts, such as sprite animation, collision detection, and physics simulation. By taking this course, you can build a portfolio of JavaScript games that demonstrate your skills to potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Game Developer

Creative Coder

Creative coders use programming to create interactive art installations, visual effects, and other digital experiences. This is a highly creative role. This course may be useful for you on your journey to becoming a creative coder, since it provides a foundation in JavaScript game development, which can be applied to interactive art projects. The course covers topics such as sprite animation, user input handling, and visual effects, all of which are relevant to creative coding. By taking this course, you can start to explore the possibilities of using code as a creative medium. The section on particle effects may be particularly insightful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Coder

Application Developer

Application developers are responsible for designing, coding, and testing software applications for various platforms, including desktop, web, and mobile devices. This involves using programming languages and development tools to create user-friendly and efficient applications. This course may be useful for you on your path to becoming an application developer, since it provides hands-on experience in JavaScript, a versatile language used for web and application development. Through the course's exploration of game development, you can learn to develop interactive and engaging applications with JavaScript. This may help you launch or grow your career as an application developer, since you will be familiar with important techniques.

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Web Developer

Web developers are responsible for creating and maintaining websites and web applications. They work with languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build interactive and user-friendly online experiences. This course may be useful for you on your journey to becoming a web developer, since it focuses on using JavaScript to build an animated physics game. The course covers topics such as sprite animation, user input handling, and physics simulation, all of which are relevant to web development. By taking this course, you can gain practical experience in JavaScript and build a foundation for creating dynamic web experiences.

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Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems and applications. Often, this involves working with various programming languages and frameworks. This course may be useful for you on your path to becoming a software engineer, since it provides practical experience in JavaScript, a widely used language for web and game development. Through the course's exploration of game development using JavaScript, you can gain insight into software design principles and implementation strategies. By diving into this course, you may begin to build a foundation that allows you to tackle complex software engineering challenges.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Simulation Developer

Simulation developers create software that models real-world systems and processes. This is relevant in fields such as engineering, science, and education. While this course focuses on game development, this course may be useful for those on your path to becoming a simulation developer, since it provides experience in using JavaScript to simulate physics and interactions. The course covers topics such as collision detection, physics simulation, and animation, which are all relevant to building interactive simulations. In particular, studying the egg physics section may aid in your journey.

See salaries and explore the career path for Simulation Developer

Augmented Reality Developer

Augmented reality developers create applications that overlay digital content onto the real world. This often involves using computer vision, 3D modeling, and game development techniques. This course may be useful for those on your path to becoming an augmented reality developer, since it provides a foundation in game development using JavaScript. The course covers topics such as sprite animation, user input handling, and physics simulation, which can be applied to AR applications. The course content on mouse position capture may be particularly insightful and helpful.

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Virtual Reality Developer

Virtual reality developers create immersive experiences for virtual reality headsets. VR relies heavily on compelling and interactive experiences. This course may be useful for those on your path to becoming a VR developer, since it provides a foundation in game development using JavaScript, which can be applied to VR development frameworks like A-Frame or React VR. The course covers topics such as sprite animation, user input handling, and physics simulation, which are all relevant to creating interactive VR experiences. By taking this course, you can gain practical experience in developing engaging virtual environments.

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UI Designer

UI designers focus on creating visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces for software applications and websites. This involves designing layouts, selecting color schemes, and creating interactive elements that enhance the user experience. While primarily focused on design, a UI designer benefits from a knowledge of how code brings their designs to life. This course may be useful for you on your journey to becoming a UI designer, since it explores the implementation of interactive game elements using JavaScript. The course covers topics such as sprite animation, user input handling, and visual effects, which can provide valuable insight into the technical aspects of UI design. If you want to bring your designs to life, this course may be helpful.

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UX Designer

UX designers focus on improving the overall user experience of software applications and websites. This involves conducting user research, creating wireframes and prototypes, and testing designs to ensure they are intuitive and effective. While UX design focuses more on the planning and structure of a product, this course may be useful for you on your path to becoming a UX designer, since it provides insight into how interactive elements can be implemented using JavaScript. The course covers topics such as user input handling, game mechanics, and feedback mechanisms, which can inform the design of engaging user experiences. The more familiarity you have with the foundations of this work, the better you can fulfill your role.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Instructional Designer

Instructional designers create learning experiences and materials, such as online courses and training programs. While this course focuses on game development, this course may be useful for those on your path to becoming an instructional designer, since it provides insight into how game mechanics and interactive elements can be used to engage learners. The course covers topics such as sprite animation, user input handling, and feedback mechanisms, which can inform the design of effective learning experiences. The win and lose conditions covered in this course are often applicable in instructional design as a means of motivating students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Build Animated Physics Game with JavaScript

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Build animated physics game in javascript

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