GAME ON! – Code Your First Scratch Chase Game

This month in our GAME ON! series, you’ll learn about Code and how to make your very own mini game — a fun “Chase Game” where one sprite (character) chases another. It’s simple, exciting and totally customisable.

And best of all? You don’t need to be a coding expert. SCRATCH makes it easy for anyone to begin creating games!

Be sure to check out last month’s article where we began our game development journey!

What You’ll Make 

In today’s mini game:

• You’ll control a character using the arrow keys

• Another character will chase yours

• If the chaser catches you… GAME OVER!

What You’ll Need

• A computer or tablet

• Internet access

• A free Scratch account (optional, but helpful for saving your work)

LET’S GET STARTED!

Below are the exact steps from the MiniMag article — follow them one by one and you’ll have a working game in minutes!

1. Go to scratch.mit.edu

Click “Start Creating” on the main page.
This opens a brand-new project.

2. DELETE THE CAT

Right-click on the Scratch cat sprite and click delete
(or just click the trash can).

3. ADD TWO SPRITES

Click the Choose a Sprite button.

• Pick one to be the player (like a dog or astronaut).

• Pick another to be the chaser (like a ghost or shark).

Adjust their sizes to fit nicely on the stage.

4. ADD A BACKGROUND

Click the Choose a Backdrop button.
Pick something fun — maybe a forest or space!

5. MAKE THE PLAYER MOVE

Click your player sprite.
Go to the Control and Motion tabs and add blocks like:

• If key (right arrow) pressed → change x by 10

• If key (left arrow) pressed → change x by -10

• If key (up arrow) pressed → change y by 10

• If key (down arrow) pressed → change y by -10

This lets the player move around the screen.

6. MAKE THE CHASER FOLLOW

Click your chaser sprite and add:

When green flag clicked
→ Forever:

• Point towards (player sprite)

• Move 2 steps

Now the chaser will follow the player!

7. GAME OVER!

Still on the chaser sprite, add:

• If touching (player sprite)
  → Say “Game Over!” for 2 seconds
  → Stop all

Click the green flag to test it — your game should now work!

CUSTOMISE IT!

Try adding your own touches:

• Change the speed of the chaser

• Add sound effects or music

• Use a different background

• Draw your own sprites

• Add coins, obstacles or lava

• Try extra rules using the “if touching” block

Your imagination is the limit!

CHALLENGE OF THE MONTH

Design your own level!
Add obstacles for the player to avoid.
HINT: Use “if touching” blocks to make them bounce or lose points.

📚 Further Reading

If you enjoyed learning how games are built from ideas and imagination, you might also like our article on:

• 👉 Game On! Make Games – The start of this game making series with a bit of background on game development

• 👉 Smart Cities: Building the Future. – Just like making a great game, building a smart city takes planning, design, teamwork, and creativity.