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- 1). Come up with an idea for a game that incorporates cartoon characters. Use existing well-known characters (if you have the rights or they are in the public domain) or create your own. Write a brief design document detailing the overall game concept and explaining the rules and features. Sketch out the concept art to establish the look of the game.
- 2). Open the code compiler and start a new programming project. Establish the size of the level by defining the total size of the map in terms of pixels, the portion of the level that will appear on screen at any given time, and the size of an individual tile (individual graphics files).
- 3). Create image files for each object that will appear in the game. Prepare animated objects, known as sprites, by creating their image files many times larger than the object will be, and drawing in multiple copies of the same object in different stages of movement. The art should be exaggerated and brightly colored to remain in keeping with the feel of the cartoon.
- 4). Record sound files for the game. Make them exaggerated. For example, use a bouncing spring sound for jumping or a smashing sound for breaking blocks. Convert the raw WAV files to compressed space-friendly formats.
- 5). Open new programming files for each of the objects in the code compiler and define their rules---for instance, the floating blocks in the Mario Bros. games block movement if they are touched on the top or sides, but explode and play a sound file if touched on the bottom. Animate the objects by coding the program to show a different portion of the image file as the object receives different inputs, such as going through a series of walking motions as the player presses the forward button.
- 6). Launch the map editing program on your computer. It should allow for direct placing of tiles on the level. Categorize your art in the map editor library, assigning them program files so that they will act with the correct rules in the game. Tile the objects into the level. Compile the code and run it through a file packer for distribution.
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