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In this section, we will walk through the process of building a simple game using Lua. This will help you apply the concepts you've learned so far and give you hands-on experience with Lua in a practical context.

Objectives

Understand the basic structure of a game.
Learn how to handle user input.
Implement game logic.
Render graphics and update the game state.

Game Overview

We will create a simple "Guess the Number" game where the player has to guess a randomly generated number within a certain range.

Step-by-Step Guide

Setting Up the Game Environment

First, let's set up the basic structure of our game.

-- guess_the_number.lua

-- Initialize the game
local function initializeGame()
    print("Welcome to 'Guess the Number'!")
    print("I have selected a number between 1 and 100.")
    print("Can you guess what it is?")
end

-- Start the game
initializeGame()

Generating a Random Number

We need to generate a random number for the player to guess.

-- guess_the_number.lua

-- Initialize the game
local function initializeGame()
    print("Welcome to 'Guess the Number'!")
    print("I have selected a number between 1 and 100.")
    print("Can you guess what it is?")
end

-- Generate a random number between 1 and 100
local function generateRandomNumber()
    math.randomseed(os.time())
    return math.random(1, 100)
end

-- Start the game
initializeGame()
local secretNumber = generateRandomNumber()

Handling User Input

Next, we need to get the player's guess and compare it to the secret number.

-- guess_the_number.lua

-- Initialize the game
local function initializeGame()
    print("Welcome to 'Guess the Number'!")
    print("I have selected a number between 1 and 100.")
    print("Can you guess what it is?")
end

-- Generate a random number between 1 and 100
local function generateRandomNumber()
    math.randomseed(os.time())
    return math.random(1, 100)
end

-- Get the player's guess
local function getPlayerGuess()
    print("Enter your guess: ")
    local guess = io.read("*n")
    return guess
end

-- Start the game
initializeGame()
local secretNumber = generateRandomNumber()
local playerGuess = getPlayerGuess()

Implementing Game Logic

We need to compare the player's guess to the secret number and provide feedback.

-- guess_the_number.lua

-- Initialize the game
local function initializeGame()
    print("Welcome to 'Guess the Number'!")
    print("I have selected a number between 1 and 100.")
    print("Can you guess what it is?")
end

-- Generate a random number between 1 and 100
local function generateRandomNumber()
    math.randomseed(os.time())
    return math.random(1, 100)
end

-- Get the player's guess
local function getPlayerGuess()
    print("Enter your guess: ")
    local guess = io.read("*n")
    return guess
end

-- Check the player's guess
local function checkGuess(secretNumber, playerGuess)
    if playerGuess < secretNumber then
        print("Too low!")
    elseif playerGuess > secretNumber then
        print("Too high!")
    else
        print("Congratulations! You guessed the number!")
        return true
    end
    return false
end

-- Start the game
initializeGame()
local secretNumber = generateRandomNumber()
local correctGuess = false

while not correctGuess do
    local playerGuess = getPlayerGuess()
    correctGuess = checkGuess(secretNumber, playerGuess)
end

Adding a Replay Option

Finally, let's add an option for the player to play again.

-- guess_the_number.lua

-- Initialize the game
local function initializeGame()
    print("Welcome to 'Guess the Number'!")
    print("I have selected a number between 1 and 100.")
    print("Can you guess what it is?")
end

-- Generate a random number between 1 and 100
local function generateRandomNumber()
    math.randomseed(os.time())
    return math.random(1, 100)
end

-- Get the player's guess
local function getPlayerGuess()
    print("Enter your guess: ")
    local guess = io.read("*n")
    return guess
end

-- Check the player's guess
local function checkGuess(secretNumber, playerGuess)
    if playerGuess < secretNumber then
        print("Too low!")
    elseif playerGuess > secretNumber then
        print("Too high!")
    else
        print("Congratulations! You guessed the number!")
        return true
    end
    return false
end

-- Main game loop
local function playGame()
    initializeGame()
    local secretNumber = generateRandomNumber()
    local correctGuess = false

    while not correctGuess do
        local playerGuess = getPlayerGuess()
        correctGuess = checkGuess(secretNumber, playerGuess)
    end
end

-- Replay option
local function playAgain()
    print("Do you want to play again? (yes/no)")
    local answer = io.read()
    return answer == "yes"
end

-- Start the game
repeat
    playGame()
until not playAgain()

print("Thank you for playing!")

Summary

In this section, we built a simple "Guess the Number" game in Lua. We covered:

Setting up the game environment.
Generating a random number.
Handling user input.
Implementing game logic.
Adding a replay option.

This exercise helped reinforce your understanding of Lua's basic concepts and provided a practical application of your skills. In the next section, we will explore scripting in game engines, which will allow you to create more complex and interactive games.

Building a Simple Game

Objectives

Game Overview

Step-by-Step Guide

Setting Up the Game Environment

Generating a Random Number

Handling User Input

Implementing Game Logic

Adding a Replay Option

Summary

Lua Programming Course

Module 1: Introduction to Lua

Module 2: Basic Concepts

Module 3: Intermediate Concepts

Module 4: Advanced Concepts

Module 5: Practical Applications

Module 6: Final Project