Build a Scratch Game: Catch the Fish

What You’ll Need:

A computer or laptop

Internet access

A free Scratch account

Project Overview:

Dive underwater and test your reflexes! In this game, you control a Shark or a Diver to catch fast-moving fish before they swim off the screen.

Instructions:

Set the Scene:

Go to Scratch and click “Create.”

Click the Backdrop icon in the bottom right and choose “Underwater.”

Delete the default cat sprite.

Add Your Sprites:

Click "Choose a Sprite" and add a "Catcher" (like the Shark).

Add a "Target" sprite (like the Fish).

Code the Catcher (Follow the Mouse):

Select your Shark/Catcher sprite.

Drag out when the green flag clicked.

Attach a forever loop.

Inside the loop, snap in go to [mouse-pointer].

(Now the catcher will follow your mouse wherever it goes!)

Make the Fish Swim:

Select the Fish sprite.

Use when the green flag clicked.

Add a forever loop.

Inside, use move 10 steps and if on edge, bounce.

To make it move diagonally, add point in direction (45) above the loop.

Add Scoring & Catching:

Go to Variables and click “Make a Variable.” Name it “Score.”

In the Fish sprite’s code, add a new when the green flag clicked block.

Add a forever loop with an if <touching [Shark]?> then:

change [Score] by 1

play sound [Chomp] until done

go to [random position]

Test Your Game:

Click the Green Flag to start.

Move your mouse to "eat" the fish and watch your score rise!

Challenge Extension:

Add a Timer: Make a "Timer" variable that counts down from 30 to 0. Use stop [all] when it hits zero.

To make the game end, create a new variable called Timer. 

In the Backdrop code

when green flag clicked

set [Timer] to 30

repeat until <(Timer) = 0>:

wait 1 seconds

change [Timer] by -1

stop [all]

Avoid the Poison: Add a "Jellyfish" sprite. If the shark touches it, change the score by -5.

Fish School: Right-click the Fish sprite and select Duplicate to add more fish to the sea