Python Game Development - Create a Flappy Bird Clone from Udemy

Games by their very nature are supposed to be fun. So why should the process of creating them be tedious and complicated? Instead of sitting through hours of lectures and game development theory, this course cuts to chase and allows you to create a game straight away, learning as you go.

Learn Python game development by creating your own game

Gain practical experience in Python game development
Develop a clone of Flappy Bird using Python game programming
Create levels with increasing difficulty and complexity
Understand and utilize the opportunities Python games provide

Master game development in a fun environment

Python game programming is a set of Python modules designed specifically for writing games. It allows you to create fully featured games and multimedia programs using the Python programming language. Python is highly popular and versatile, running on almost every platform and operating system out there; so mastering it is of enormous benefit whether you want to create Python games or pretty much anything else. By completing this course, you can create open source, free, freeware, shareware and commercial games using Python game programming.

Course Overview

This course contains 21 lectures and over 3 hours of content. It is intended for those who already have a working knowledge of Python programming or general programming, and who want to apply their skills to games development. However, beginners may still be able to follow the course too.

The main focus of this course is to create a clone of the smash hit (and extremely simple) game Flappy Bird using Python game programming. You will first be introduced to Python programming concepts and initial coding, and then delve straight into the making your game from scratch.

The first two elements of the game you will learn are the time clock and game over. From there, you'll progress to initial graphics setup including the background and adding graphics to the screen. Following that, you'll move on to working with coordinates.

The next few sections of the course focus in detail on creating input controls, boundaries, crash events and menu creation, as well as creating obstacles using polygons. Finally, you'll add the finishing elements to your game like game logic, score display, colours, and most importantly, difficulty levels.

By the end of this course you will have created your own Flappy Bird game from scratch using Python game programming and Python game development techniques. The skills you picked up along the way will give you a solid groundwork for creating bigger, more complex, and more versatile games that can be run on any platform or any operating system.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Create a clone of flappy bird

Learn python game development

Create a clone of flappy bird
Learn python game development

Syllabus

Introduction to the Course and the Game

Download all course materials here.

Introduction to PyGame and Initial Coding

Time Clock and Game Over

Graphics Setup

Initial Graphics Setup

Background and Adding Graphics to the Screen

Working with Coordinates

Creating Input Controls

Boundaries, Crash Events and Menu Creation

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Creating Obstacles Using Polygons

Introduction

Completing Our Obstacles

Game Logic: Using Block Logic

Game Logic: Success Or Failure

Hitting Obstacles Part 1

Hitting Obstacles Part 2

Creating the Score Display

Adding Colors and Difficulty Levels

Adding Colors

Adding Colors Part 2

Adding Difficulty Levels

Conclusion

Bonus Material

Bonus Lecture

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 Python Game Development - Create a Flappy Bird Clone with these activities:

Review Python Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of Python basics to ensure a smooth learning experience in game development.

Browse courses on Python Syntax

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Review basic syntax and data types.
Practice writing simple Python scripts.
Complete online Python tutorials.

Review 'Python Crash Course'

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Solidify your Python knowledge with a comprehensive guide that covers the fundamentals and provides practical examples.

View Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On,... on Amazon

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Read the chapters on basic Python syntax and data structures.
Work through the example projects in the book.
Take notes on key concepts and syntax.

Follow Pygame Tutorials

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Enhance your understanding of Pygame by working through tutorials that cover various game development concepts.

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Find online tutorials on Pygame basics.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, writing the code yourself.
Experiment with the code to understand how it works.

Four other activities

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Practice Collision Detection

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Master collision detection techniques in Pygame to create realistic game interactions.

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Implement collision detection between the bird and the pipes.
Test different collision detection methods.
Optimize collision detection for performance.

Expand Flappy Bird with Power-Ups

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Extend the Flappy Bird clone by adding power-ups to enhance gameplay and solidify your understanding of game development concepts.

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Design and implement different power-ups.
Integrate power-ups into the game logic.
Test and balance the power-up effects.

Create a Game Development Blog

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Document your game development journey and share your knowledge with others by creating a blog.

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Set up a blog platform (e.g., WordPress, Medium).
Write articles about your experiences with Pygame.
Share your blog posts on social media.

Contribute to Pygame Libraries

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Contribute to open-source Pygame libraries to improve your coding skills and give back to the community.

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Find a Pygame library on GitHub.
Identify bugs or areas for improvement.
Submit pull requests with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Python Game Development - Create a Flappy Bird Clone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Independent Game Developer

An Independent Game Developer, often working solo or in a small team, is responsible for all aspects of game development, from design to programming to marketing. This course provides you with a practical introduction to game development by guiding you through the creation of a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming. You will learn to implement core game features, solve technical challenges, and see a project through from start to finish, all essential skills for an independent developer. The course's hands-on approach and immediate application of concepts makes it an ideal starting point for those looking to enter the world of independent game development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Independent Game Developer

Game Programmer

A Game Programmer is responsible for writing the code that brings a game's design to life. They implement gameplay mechanics, artificial intelligence, and user interfaces, working closely with designers and artists. This course provides you with a practical introduction to game programming by guiding you through the creation of a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming. You will learn to implement core game features, solve technical challenges, and see a project through from start to finish, all essential skills for a game programmer. The course's hands-on approach and focus on creating a fully functional game makes it an ideal starting point.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Programmer

Game Developer

As a Game Developer, you design and create video games for various platforms. You might work on gameplay mechanics, artificial intelligence, or user interfaces, bringing your creative visions to life through code. This course, focused on creating a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming, offers a practical introduction to game development. By learning to implement core game features like time clocks, graphics, input controls, and collision detection, you will build a foundation in the elements needed to create a complete game. The course's emphasis on hands-on experience and immediate application makes it an ideal starting point for aspiring game developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Mobile Game Developer

A Mobile Game Developer specializes in creating games for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. They must optimize game performance for mobile hardware and incorporate touch-based controls. This course provides hands-on experience in developing a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming. You learn to implement game logic, create input controls, and manage game states, all of which translate directly to mobile game development. The course's emphasis on building a functional game from scratch provides a practical understanding of the development process. In particular, the sections on input controls and display are vital to a mobile game's user experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Game Developer

Python Developer

A Python Developer focuses on creating applications and scripts using the Python programming language. This course helps build a foundation in Python by applying it to game development. You will learn to use Python game programming to create a Flappy Bird clone, reinforcing your understanding of Python syntax, data structures, and control flow. The course's emphasis on practical application and hands-on coding provides valuable experience for anyone looking to enhance their Python skills. The course's material on developing game logic, managing user input, and rendering graphics provide practical applications of vital Python concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Python Developer

Serious Game Developer

A Serious Game Developer creates games for purposes beyond entertainment, such as training, education, or healthcare. They apply game design principles to solve real-world problems and create engaging experiences that motivate users to learn or change behavior. This course provides a practical introduction to game development through the creation of a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming. You will learn core game development skills like implementing game mechanics, handling user input, and managing game states, all of which can be applied to serious games development. The hands-on approach allows you to quickly gain experience and confidence.

See salaries and explore the career path for Serious Game Developer

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software applications. While the role is broad, this course provides a focused introduction to software development principles within the context of game creation. By working through the process of building a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming, you gain practical experience in coding, debugging, and problem-solving. The course's curriculum, including topics like game logic, input controls, and collision detection, mirrors common challenges faced in software engineering projects. The chance to work through the entire process of game creation helps build a foundation of skills applicable to broader software development roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Game Designer

A Game Designer crafts the vision and mechanics of a game, defining its rules, gameplay, and overall player experience. While this role does not always require coding skills, understanding the technical aspects of game development can greatly enhance a designer's ability to communicate effectively with programmers and create feasible designs. This course can help you to familiarize yourself with the technical processes of game development by guiding you through the creation of a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming. Developing a hands-on understanding of the work will help you to design games that are realizable and enjoyable.

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Educational Game Developer

An Educational Game Developer combines game design principles with educational content to create engaging learning experiences. They design games that teach specific skills or concepts while keeping players entertained. This course, focused on creating a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming, may be helpful to those in this field as it helps build a foundation in game development principles. By learning to implement core game features like time clocks, graphics, input controls, and collision detection, you will build a foundation in the elements needed to create a complete game.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Game Developer

Simulation Developer

A Simulation Developer creates software that models real-world systems or processes for training, research, or entertainment purposes. The core principles of game development, such as managing game states, handling user input, and creating interactive environments, are also relevant to simulation development. This course may be useful to those wishing to enter simulation development as it introduces these concepts in a practical, hands-on manner by guiding you through the creation of a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming. The lessons on game logic and collision detection provide a solid foundation for building more complex simulations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Simulation Developer

Augmented Reality Developer

An Augmented Reality Developer creates interactive experiences that overlay digital content onto the real world using devices like smartphones or AR glasses. This role often involves creating engaging and intuitive user interfaces, managing real-time data, and optimizing performance for mobile devices. This course may be useful to those wishing to enter augmented reality development as it provides an introduction to these concepts in a practical, hands-on manner by guiding you through the creation of a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming. In particular, material related to user controls and display could be very helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Augmented Reality Developer

Virtual Reality Developer

A Virtual Reality Developer designs and builds immersive experiences for virtual reality platforms, often involving 3D environments, spatial audio, and motion tracking. This course may be useful to those wishing to enter virtual reality development as it provides an introduction to these concepts in a practical, hands-on manner by guiding you through the creation of a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming. The lessons on user input and responding to events are very relevant to virtual reality experiences.

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Quality Assurance Tester

A Quality Assurance Tester plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and stability of software and games. They test software, identify bugs, and provide feedback to developers. This course will allow you to understand the development process by building a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming. You will learn to implement core game features, solve technical challenges, and see a project through from start to finish. Understanding the work and choices made by developers will allow you to spot bugs and provide helpful feedback more easily.

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Game Artist

A Game Artist creates the visual elements of a video game, including characters, environments, and user interface elements. While this role is primarily focused on art and design, understanding the technical constraints of game development can greatly enhance an artist's ability to create assets that are both visually appealing and technically feasible. This course may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the technical processes of game development by guiding you through the creation of a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming. You will develop a hands-on understanding the work of game developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Web Developer

A Web Developer builds and maintains websites and web applications. While the focus of this course is game development, the underlying principles of programming and problem-solving are transferable to web development. This course has an advantage of teaching these concepts in a fun and exciting context. By building a Flappy Bird clone using Python game programming, you can gain practical experience in coding, debugging, and project management. The course's emphasis on hands-on learning and immediate application makes it a valuable stepping stone for aspiring web developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Python Game Development - Create a Flappy Bird Clone.

Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition

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Provides a solid foundation in Python programming, covering essential concepts and syntax. It's particularly useful for beginners or those looking to refresh their Python skills before diving into game development. The project-based approach aligns well with the course's hands-on learning style. It serves as a valuable reference throughout the course and beyond.

Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On,...

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Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On,...

Kindle Edition

Python Game Development - Create a Flappy Bird Clone

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