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PROJECT UNIT

Scratch Coding

Space Invaders Project

Build your own arcade-style Space Invaders game in Scratch. Create the basic game, add your own creative features, test it with others and improve it based on feedback.

Watch Demo → Start Project ↓
Scratch Coding
Scratch Project

Project Goal

  • Build a playable Space Invaders game.
  • Add your own creative features and improvements.
  • Include sound effects as part of your finished game.
  • Receive peer feedback and improve your game.
  • Record gameplay evidence and upload it to the school shared system.

Starter: Watch the Finished Game

Before you begin, watch the completed game and identify the features you will build.

What controls the tank?
How are aliens destroyed?
How does the player score points?
What makes the game challenging?
Where are sound effects used?
Which feature looks hardest to create?
YOUR PROJECT JOURNEY
01

Player Movement

Create the tank and control it with arrow keys.
02

Shooting

Use the space bar to fire lasers.
03

Alien Movement

Make aliens appear and move down the screen.
04

Collision

Detect hits and create game over conditions.
05

Extensions

Add scoring, levels, speed changes and sound.
06

Testing

Peer test, improve, record and submit.
Tank Scratch code

Stage 1: Creating your sprites

Goal: Create 4 individual sprites to begin with - a red line, a yellow laser, an alien and finally a tank that moves left and right. The code shown on the left is for the tank only, allowing it to move left and right. Finally, add a suitable background image.

  • Create the tank sprite.
  • Use the left and right arrow keys.
  • Make movement smooth and controlled.
  • Keep the player sprite on screen.
Lasers Scratch code

Stage 2: Shooting Lasers

Goal: Allow the player to fire a laser using the space bar.

  • Select your yellow laser sprite.
  • The space bar will be used to fire the lasers.
  • Make the laser appear at the tank position.
  • Make the laser move upwards and hide again.
AlienMovement Scratch code

Stage 3: Alien Movement

Goal: Make aliens move down the screen continuously.

  • Select your alien sprite.
  • Start aliens at random positions.
  • Use loops to make aliens move downwards.
  • Make gameplay repeat continuously.
Laserbeam Scratch code

Stage 4: Collision Detection

Goal: Detect when the laser hits the alien and when aliens reach the bottom.

  • Detect when the laser touches an alien.
  • Hide or reset the alien after it is hit.
  • Add a game over line at the bottom.
  • Make the game respond when an alien reaches Earth.
Aliens Win Scratch code

Stage 5: Aliens Win

Goal: If an alien lands on the red line it should indicate that the game is over!

  • Select the red line sprite
  • Detect when the alien touches the red line.
  • Everything should stop once an alien lands on the red line
  • It is highly advised to add a 'game over' prompt once the aliens land.
  • You could also add a sound effect to indicate the game is over

Stage 6: Creative Extensions

Choose at least two extensions. For higher grades, aim for three or more.

ScoreboardScoreboard
LevelNext Level
SpeedFaster Aliens
ExplosionExplosions
SoundSound Effects
LifeMultiple Lives
StartStart Screen
Game OverGame Over
Level UpLevel Up
MusicMusic

How to Achieve Higher Grades

Secure

Working game with basic movement, shooting, aliens and collision detection.

Strong

Includes scoring, multiple aliens, clear instructions, sound effects and smooth controls.

Exceptional

Polished game with level changes, creativity, custom effects, sound, excellent gameplay and original improvements.

Stage 7: Peer Testing Lab

Your Name

My Improvements

What did you change after receiving feedback?

Final Submission Checklist

Tick when completed: