Creating a Simple Game with M Scripting Language: A Simple Starter Guide

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Introduction:

M scripting language is a powerful tool that can be used for a variety of purposes beyond data transformation and analysis. One such use case is game development. Using M scripting language, you can create simple games that run within your application or web page. This can be a fun and rewarding way to practice your M scripting skills and explore the possibilities of the language.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a simple game using M scripting language. We will cover the essential concepts and techniques of M scripting language, and provide step-by-step instructions and code examples to help you build your game. Let's get started!

Step 1: Plan your game

The first step in creating a game with M scripting language is to plan your game. Decide on the type of game you want to create, the game mechanics, the game world, and the player character.

Step 2: Create the game world

Once you have planned your game, it's time to create the game world. This involves creating the graphics and visual elements of the game, such as the background, obstacles, and enemies.

You can use M scripting language to create the graphics and visual elements of your game. For example, you might use the Image.FromFile function to load images from a file and display them on the screen. You might also use the Rectangle and Circle functions to create shapes for your game.

Here is an example code snippet for creating a rectangle:

let CreateRectangle = (x as number, y as number, width as number, height as number) => Rectangle {X = x, Y = y, Width = width, Height = height} in CreateRectangle

Step 3: Add game mechanics

Now it's time to add game mechanics to your game. This involves writing the game logic in M scripting language. The game logic will determine how the game behaves and how the player interacts with it.

For example, you might write a function to move the player in response to keyboard input, and another function to detect collisions between the player and obstacles. You might also write code to keep track of the player's score and update it as the game progresses.

Here is an example code snippet for moving the player using the arrow keys:

let MovePlayer = (x as number, y as number) => let CurrentX = Player.X + x, CurrentY = Player.Y + y in Player.X = CurrentX, Player.Y = CurrentY in MovePlayer

Step 4: Test your game

Once you have written the game mechanics, it's time to test your game. Run the game and play it to see how it behaves. You can make adjustments to the game mechanics as needed to improve the game's performance and playability.

Step 5: Share your game

Finally, once you are happy with your game, you can share it with others. You can publish your game on your website or export it as a file that can be shared with others. Your game will run within your application or web page, so anyone with access to your game will be able to play it.

Conclusion:

Using M scripting language, you can create simple games that run within your application or web page. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create your own game and customize it to suit your needs. This is just the beginning of what you can do with M scripting language. With a little creativity and experimentation, you can create more complex and exciting games that showcase your programming skills.

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In this guide, we have covered the essential concepts and techniques of creating a simple game with M scripting language. We hope that you found this guide informative and useful, and that it has inspired you to explore the possibilities of M scripting language further.

Remember, game development is not just for experienced programmers. Anyone can create a game with a little bit of knowledge and practice. So why not try creating your own game using M scripting language? Who knows, you might just surprise yourself with what you can create.

While M can be used to create games, it is not the most common language used for game development. Other languages like C++, Java, and Python are more widely used in the gaming industry. However, if you are interested in creating a simple game using M, there are several resources available online that can help you get started.

Here are some resources that can help you learn how to create a game in M:

• Official M documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/
• M language forum: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home?category=powerquery
• Game development software:
• GameMaker Studio: https://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker
• Stencyl: https://www.stencyl.com/

I hope these links help you get started on your journey to creating a game in M.

Summery of Steps

1. Game Design: The first step in creating a game is to design it. You need to decide on the game's genre, mechanics, story, characters, and graphics. You can use tools like Photoshop or GIMP to create graphics, and tools like Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator to create vector graphics.

2. Game Engine: After designing the game, you need to choose a game engine to build your game. Game engines provide you with the tools and frameworks you need to build your game. Some popular game engines for M include Power BI and Power Query.

3. Game Programming: Once you have chosen a game engine, you need to write code to make your game work. M is a functional programming language, so you need to learn the basics of functions, variables, and control structures to write game code. There are several resources available online to learn M programming, including the official M documentation and online tutorials.

4. Game Testing: After programming your game, you need to test it to ensure that it works as expected. You can use tools like unit tests to test your game code and tools like Power BI Desktop or Power Query Editor to test your game's user interface.

5. Game Deployment: Once you have tested your game, you can deploy it to the platform of your choice. You can deploy your game to Power BI or other platforms using tools like the Power BI Service or Power Query Online.

Here are some links to resources that can help you with each step:

• Power BI Tutorial: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/
• Power Query Tutorial: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-query/
• M Language Forum: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home?category=powerquery
• Power BI Desktop Tutorial: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-getting-started

I hope these resources help you get started on creating a game in M. Please let me know if you have any other questions.