Game Maven from Crunchzilla is an interactive tutorial that lets anyone experiment with coding and write a few games. Game Maven from Crunchzilla uses Javascript. Please enable Javascript if you want to play with Game Maven. Otherwise, Game Maven will not be able to play with you.







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How to Play Game Maven from Crunchzilla is the third and most advanced programming tutorial in the Crunchzilla series. It teaches teens and curious adults a little about programming by helping them code a few casual games in Javascript.



It's easy to play. Follow the instructions and do what Game Maven says. Feel free to occasionally skip to the next lesson if there is something you don't want to do. You can always come back to it later!



Click on the Reset button if you really mess up your code and want to start over on a lesson. Click on the Back button to go back to a previous lesson. You can jump to a specific lesson or back to the beginning using the "Lesson Sections" link.



Game Maven saves what lesson you are on, so feel free to stop at any time and come back later. As long as you come back on the same browser on the same machine, you'll get back to your lesson.



If you haven't done



Have fun! X Game Maven from Crunchzilla is the third and most advanced programming tutorial in the Crunchzilla series. It teaches teens and curious adults a little about programming by helping them code a few casual games in Javascript.It's easy to play. Follow the instructions and do what Game Maven says. Feel free to occasionally skip to the next lesson if there is something you don't want to do. You can always come back to it later!Click on the Reset button if you really mess up your code and want to start over on a lesson. Click on the Back button to go back to a previous lesson. You can jump to a specific lesson or back to the beginning using the "Lesson Sections" link.Game Maven saves what lesson you are on, so feel free to stop at any time and come back later. As long as you come back on the same browser on the same machine, you'll get back to your lesson.If you haven't done Code Maven from Crunchzilla yet, you probably should do that first unless you already have a lot of programming experience. Game Maven assumes you mostly know what Code Maven covered and might be really hard if you don't. Besides, Code Maven from Crunchzilla is fun too, you wouldn't want to miss it!Have fun!

Jump to a Lesson Section X

Frequently Asked Questions What is the c in things like c.save() ?



c is a variable Game Maven creates for you that contains the Canvas' 2D context. The code that creates the variable c , which is hidden, looks like



var c = document.getElementById('pane').getContext('2d');



How can I save my code and use it outside of Game Maven?



Short answer: You can copy-and-paste your code and then load that code in an HTML file (either loading a separate Javascript file or inlining the Javascript in your HTML file).



Longer answer: A minimal HTML file that works would look like this:



<html><body>

<canvas id=pane width=400 height=400></canvas>

<script>

var c = document.getElementById('pane').getContext('2d');



// PASTE YOUR CODE HERE



</script></body></html>



If you copy that into a file, then copy-and-paste your game code into it, then save the file with a filename ending in .html, you should be able to load the file in any web browser and play your game.



Is there any other code that is hidden from me?



There is also a bit of hidden code to try to stop animations when you change lessons and the code you write is instrumented to try to prevent infinite loops. You shouldn't need those to run your game outside of Game Maven.



Why aren't you telling me more about the syntax and terminology of Javascript?



There are already a lot of tutorials and textbooks out there that teach Javascript programming by explaining what a variable is, what variable scope is, what the syntax of an if statement looks like, how each of the operators work, and so on. If you want that, there are many choices available, many of which are excellent supplements to Game Maven.



What is hard to find is a tutorial that is fun, immersive, and gets you immediately building cool things. Game Maven skips a lot of the syntax and explanation you can get elsewhere (Google for it when you need it) and instead jumps straight into the fun of what you can do if you learn to code.



Why doesn't this work perfectly on an iPad (or other mobile device)?



Game Maven will load on many mobile devices, might even be a bit playable depending on your device, but it isn't designed for mobile. Why not?



Mostly because it is hard to type on mobile. Writing large amounts on a mobile device is difficult, and it is even worse when what you are trying to write is code and you need to keep looking at other parts of the code. Trying to write large amounts of traditional code on a mobile device is not a good experience.



Because of that, no one seems to have created a great app yet for learning to code on mobile, but there are good apps out there that teach programming concepts (such as Hopscotch, Move the Turtle, and Cargo-bot).



Can I use Game Maven offline (when not connected to the internet)?



Sure! Game Maven only uses the internet at the very beginning, to load the website, and then never contacts the internet again.



So, for example, you can load Game Maven on a laptop, then go on an airplane or walk to a park where there is no internet connection, open your laptop there, and use Game Maven without the internet. It even still saves your place so you get back to the same lesson when you return! You don’t need an internet connection except at the very beginning when the website loads.



X is a variable Game Maven creates for you that contains the Canvas' 2D context. The code that creates the variable, which is hidden, looks likeShort answer: You can copy-and-paste your code and then load that code in an HTML file (either loading a separate Javascript file or inlining the Javascript in your HTML file).Longer answer: A minimal HTML file that works would look like this:If you copy that into a file, then copy-and-paste your game code into it, then save the file with a filename ending in .html, you should be able to load the file in any web browser and play your game.There is also a bit of hidden code to try to stop animations when you change lessons and the code you write is instrumented to try to prevent infinite loops. You shouldn't need those to run your game outside of Game Maven.There are already a lot of tutorials and textbooks out there that teach Javascript programming by explaining what a variable is, what variable scope is, what the syntax of an if statement looks like, how each of the operators work, and so on. If you want that, there are many choices available, many of which are excellent supplements to Game Maven.What is hard to find is a tutorial that is fun, immersive, and gets you immediately building cool things. Game Maven skips a lot of the syntax and explanation you can get elsewhere (Google for it when you need it) and instead jumps straight into the fun of what you can do if you learn to code.Game Maven will load on many mobile devices, might even be a bit playable depending on your device, but it isn't designed for mobile. Why not?Mostly because it is hard to type on mobile. Writing large amounts on a mobile device is difficult, and it is even worse when what you are trying to write is code and you need to keep looking at other parts of the code. Trying to write large amounts of traditional code on a mobile device is not a good experience.Because of that, no one seems to have created a great app yet for learning to code on mobile, but there are good apps out there that teach programming concepts (such as Hopscotch, Move the Turtle, and Cargo-bot).Sure! Game Maven only uses the internet at the very beginning, to load the website, and then never contacts the internet again.So, for example, you can load Game Maven on a laptop, then go on an airplane or walk to a park where there is no internet connection, open your laptop there, and use Game Maven without the internet. It even still saves your place so you get back to the same lesson when you return! You don’t need an internet connection except at the very beginning when the website loads.

About Game Maven from Crunchzilla is live Javascript programming for fun. It's an interactive tutorial with a focus on action over explanation. When you work through Game Maven, you dive right into coding, and the code you write immediately yields visible results.



Game Maven from Crunchzilla is the most advanced programming tutorial in Crunchzilla series. Game Maven teaches some of the basics of programming casual video games and is intended for teens or adults who either have already done most of Code Maven or already have some programming experience.



Game Maven is intended to be a fun and exciting introduction to programming concepts and building computer games. It is a first step in learning to program. It is not intended to teach a lot of computer science and programming, but might convince people who might never have thought they could program that coding is fun and something they might be able to do.



Game Maven from Crunchzilla is based in Seattle, WA. It is part of the Crunchzilla suite of game and educational projects being developed by Geeky Ventures.



X Game Maven from Crunchzilla is live Javascript programming for fun. It's an interactive tutorial with a focus on action over explanation. When you work through Game Maven, you dive right into coding, and the code you write immediately yields visible results.Game Maven from Crunchzilla is the most advanced programming tutorial in Crunchzilla series. Game Maven teaches some of the basics of programming casual video games and is intended for teens or adults who either have already done most of Code Maven or already have some programming experience. Code Maven assumes no prior programming experience and teaches teens and curious adults a bit about coding in a fun way, including lots of experimenting with graphics and animation. Code Monster , the lightest and easiest tutorial, is like Code Maven but intended for pre-teen children (ages 9-14).Game Maven is intended to be a fun and exciting introduction to programming concepts and building computer games. It is a first step in learning to program. It is not intended to teach a lot of computer science and programming, but might convince people who might never have thought they could program that coding is fun and something they might be able to do.Game Maven from Crunchzilla is based in Seattle, WA. It is part of the Crunchzilla suite of game and educational projects being developed by Geeky Ventures.

Terms of Use "Game Maven" is a website provided by Geeky Ventures. In order to use the Site, you must accept the terms set forth below. If you are a minor, your parent or guardian must accept the terms and full responsibility for your use of the website. THESE TERMS OF SERVICE CONSTITUTE A BINDING LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND GEEKY VENTURES. BY USING THE WEBSITE, YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS.



The website HTML, text, images, audio, video, software or other content that is made available on this website are the property of Geeky Ventures or its content suppliers. Before you use this content in some way please take care to ensure that you have the relevant rights and permissions. You are welcome to display on your computer, download, and print pages from this website for personal and educational use only.



THE WEBSITE IS PROVIDED "AS IS". Your use of this website is at your own risk. Geeky Ventures disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including without limitation, warranties of merchantability and fitness of a particular purpose. Geeky Ventures disclaims liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, punitive or other damages, or lost profits, that may result directly or indirectly from the use of the website. This includes, without limitation, any damage to computer systems, hardware or software, loss of data, or any other performance failures, any errors, bugs, viruses or other defects that result from, or are associated with the use of this website.



Geeky Ventures may modify this agreement at any time, and such modifications shall be effective immediately.



X "Game Maven" is a website provided by Geeky Ventures. In order to use the Site, you must accept the terms set forth below. If you are a minor, your parent or guardian must accept the terms and full responsibility for your use of the website. THESE TERMS OF SERVICE CONSTITUTE A BINDING LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND GEEKY VENTURES. BY USING THE WEBSITE, YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS.The website HTML, text, images, audio, video, software or other content that is made available on this website are the property of Geeky Ventures or its content suppliers. Before you use this content in some way please take care to ensure that you have the relevant rights and permissions. You are welcome to display on your computer, download, and print pages from this website for personal and educational use only.THE WEBSITE IS PROVIDED "AS IS". Your use of this website is at your own risk. Geeky Ventures disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including without limitation, warranties of merchantability and fitness of a particular purpose. Geeky Ventures disclaims liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, punitive or other damages, or lost profits, that may result directly or indirectly from the use of the website. This includes, without limitation, any damage to computer systems, hardware or software, loss of data, or any other performance failures, any errors, bugs, viruses or other defects that result from, or are associated with the use of this website.Geeky Ventures may modify this agreement at any time, and such modifications shall be effective immediately.

Privacy Policy Game Maven is extremely protective of privacy. Game Maven keeps almost no information about people who use the website.



Game Maven does not require registration. It does not have your e-mail address. It does not know who you are. When you use Game Maven, you are essentially anonymous.



Game Maven does not use cookies. If you leave the website and come back, there is a feature that will get you back to the lesson you were on. That does not use cookies. It is done using HTML5 Local Storage, which stores data on your machine, not remotely on the webservers. Game Maven does not even know what lesson you were on or how many lessons people using Game Maven have completed, and it is a bit of a shame that we do not, but that is how seriously we take privacy.



Like nearly all websites, Game Maven has web server logs that may contain the IP address used to access the web server. That is standard in nearly all webservers and not an attempt at data collection.



In keeping with standard language in privacy policies, personally identifiable information will not be disclosed to a third party unless required by law and we may update this policy from time to time at our sole discretion.



We are very protective of your privacy. We like it that way. X Game Maven is extremely protective of privacy. Game Maven keeps almost no information about people who use the website.Game Maven does not require registration. It does not have your e-mail address. It does not know who you are. When you use Game Maven, you are essentially anonymous.Game Maven does not use cookies. If you leave the website and come back, there is a feature that will get you back to the lesson you were on. That does not use cookies. It is done using HTML5 Local Storage, which stores data on your machine, not remotely on the webservers. Game Maven does not even know what lesson you were on or how many lessons people using Game Maven have completed, and it is a bit of a shame that we do not, but that is how seriously we take privacy.Like nearly all websites, Game Maven has web server logs that may contain the IP address used to access the web server. That is standard in nearly all webservers and not an attempt at data collection.In keeping with standard language in privacy policies, personally identifiable information will not be disclosed to a third party unless required by law and we may update this policy from time to time at our sole discretion.We are very protective of your privacy. We like it that way.