CASE STUDY.
MY TETRIS REMAKE
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Driven by nostalgia and a deep interest in understanding the inner workings of classic video games, I embarked on a journey to recreate Tetris, my favorite childhood game. This project was not just a trip down memory lane but a technical challenge aimed at deepening my understanding of game development mechanics. Using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, I focused on replicating the core gameplay mechanics of Tetris, paying special attention to the control system that allows players to manipulate the tetrominoes using the keyboard’s arrow keys.
OBJECTIVES
1. Recreate Game Mechanics: Accurately replicate the essential mechanics of Tetris, including tetromino movement, rotation, and line clearance.
2. Implement Keyboard Controls: Enable intuitive game control through the keyboard’s arrow keys for movement and rotation of pieces.
3. Focus on Functionality: Prioritize the development of game mechanics over visual design to ensure a solid gameplay experience.
4. Ensure Playability: Create a playable version of Tetris that runs smoothly on modern web browsers.
2. Implement Keyboard Controls: Enable intuitive game control through the keyboard’s arrow keys for movement and rotation of pieces.
3. Focus on Functionality: Prioritize the development of game mechanics over visual design to ensure a solid gameplay experience.
4. Ensure Playability: Create a playable version of Tetris that runs smoothly on modern web browsers.
CHALLENGES
Game Logic Complexity: The intricacies of Tetris mechanics, such as collision detection, line clearing, and piece rotation, posed significant challenges.
Control System Implementation: Developing an intuitive control system using the arrow keys for game interactions.
Balancing Simplicity and Functionality: Maintaining the game’s simplicity while ensuring a fully functional and engaging gameplay experience.
Control System Implementation: Developing an intuitive control system using the arrow keys for game interactions.
Balancing Simplicity and Functionality: Maintaining the game’s simplicity while ensuring a fully functional and engaging gameplay experience.
SOLUTIONS.
UTILIZING HTML, CSS, AND JAVASCRIPT
I chose WordPress as the foundation for its versatility and ease of content management. To tailor the platform to my needs, I employed a combination of custom CSS and JavaScript. This allowed me to go beyond pre-designed themes and plugins, giving me the freedom to create a truly unique and personalized website.
BUILDING THE GAME MECHANICS
The design phase was driven by my preference for simplicity and elegance, leading me to select a monotone blue color scheme. This choice was intended to evoke a sense of professionalism and creativity, while also making the website feel cohesive and visually striking.
IMPLEMENTING KEYBOARD CONTROLS
To replicate the classic Tetris control scheme, I implemented a control system using the keyboard’s arrow keys:
Up Arrow: Rotates the current tetromino.
Left Arrow: Moves the tetromino to the left.
Right Arrow: Moves the tetromino to the right.
Down Arrow: Accelerates the tetromino’s descent.
This setup required careful mapping of key presses to game actions, ensuring a smooth and responsive gameplay experience that mirrors the original game’s controls.
Up Arrow: Rotates the current tetromino.
Left Arrow: Moves the tetromino to the left.
Right Arrow: Moves the tetromino to the right.
Down Arrow: Accelerates the tetromino’s descent.
This setup required careful mapping of key presses to game actions, ensuring a smooth and responsive gameplay experience that mirrors the original game’s controls.
PRIORITIZING GAMEPLAY OVER DESIGN
While the visual design was kept simple, my primary focus was on ensuring that the game mechanics were accurately implemented and that the gameplay was engaging. This approach allowed me to concentrate on the functionality of the game, ensuring that the remake remained true to the essence of the original Tetris.
CONCLUSION.
The completion of the Tetris remake project was a significant personal achievement. It not only allowed me to pay homage to a game that has brought me countless hours of enjoyment but also provided a deep dive into game development mechanics. It challenged me to think critically about game design and development, deepening my understanding of programming concepts and problem-solving strategies. This project stands as a testament to my capabilities as a developer and my dedication to learning and growth in the field of software development.
