How to create a challenge room in Minecraft using Python – tutorial for kids

Modern children and teenagers love to play Minecraft: they spend hours at the computer, exploring the virtual universe. Gaming here is one of the foundations for developing a genuine interest in programming, so we suggest using this hobby to immerse your child in writing code. How? By creating a challenge room in Minecraft.

We're at school Pixel We believe that children's passion for computer games is not something useless, but a full-fledged basis for learning programming. Using Minecraft and the Python language as an example, this is easier than it seems: the ability to create your own mods for a popular gaming universe is a powerful incentive and motivation.

Let's note gamification, which makes learning interesting. We have incorporated this principle into many paid online courses, including the Python language training program in the form of writing code for Minecraft, but that’s not what we’re talking about today.

We would like to offer a free lesson in the form of instructions, which will help you understand construction in Minecraft and other details using the example of creating the horror game “Test Room”. If it is difficult, watch the training video: we have placed it at the end.

Now let's get started.

Free lesson on creating mods in Minecraft using Python using the example of the “Challenge Room” project

Let's start with the theory: our project is almost a horror game, because the player’s task is to get out of the room where the ceiling is slowly falling down. At the same time, we will complicate the game and make it so that it is necessary to collect the required number of diamond blocks by jumping on them. Speed ​​is the key to survival: if the ceiling in the room touches the character, the player will lose. We also propose to further complicate the game and create fire, touching which will lead to loss.

Introductory part: download and install the necessary programs

We have provided two introductory videos that show how to install Minecraft and Python on a PC with operating systems:

The Pixel school teacher told us what and where to download and how to launch the programs. The IDLE environment is shown at the end of each video: remember it because that's where we'll be writing code.

Loading the Basics: The Basics of Creating a Challenge Room Map in Minecraft

Let's create a Python file and call it Scary Room. Next steps are as follows:

1. Importing libraries and modules. These are minecraft, block, time and minecraftstuff.

2. Creating the mc variable. It will be designed to store a command, the execution of which leads to the connection of the Python language to the virtual world of Minecraft.

3. Declaring the mcdrawing variable. It will need to be equated to the MinecraftDrawing function from the already connected minecraftstuff module. Let's make mc the attribute. Now, every time we access the declared variable, we can add new figures to the game.

4. Introduction of the resp variable. We will use it to store information about the character's position. Additionally, we introduce the variables p and s: the first will contain the id of the diamond block, the second will contain the dimensions of the conditional house, that is, the room. We will set all sides at the level of 15 units.

5. Creating the game variable. We will assign the value True to it.

So, we figured out the basics. Let's move on.

Creating a challenge room in Minecraft

Here's what we'll do next:

1. Let's create an endless loop.

2. Let's declare a new variable where the character's lives will be stored.

3. Let's build a room with walls and diamond blocks.

The last point is especially interesting, so we suggest considering it in detail. We need:

1. Clear space to create a room.

2. Apply the setBlocks function. It takes 7 arguments: the first 3 are the base point, and the same number are the additional ones. The space between them needs to be filled with blocks. We will indicate their id in the seventh argument.

3. Create a large cube from stone bricks. It should be located three blocks away from the player. We will fill the space inside with air, and make the floor from wood.

4. Create brick walls and add diamond blocks. We will place them on the floor, and in the seventh argument we will place the variable p with the required id.

We are finalizing the details, prescribing the conditions for the game “Scary Room” in Minecraft

The next steps required to complete today's project are:

1. Introduction of the setTilePos function. It is needed to transport the player to the room.

2. Using the posToChat function. In our case, it will be used to display messages in the chat.

3. Stopping the game using sleep. The function is in the time module.

4. Programming the output of rules in the chat. Additionally, you will need to pause the game for another 10 seconds. They are needed so that the potential player has time to learn the rules. Additionally, let's customize the output of wishes of good luck.

Here's how we'll move forward:

1. Let's create a variable h. It will come in handy for storing the ceiling height in our room. We will make it from luminous stone.

2. Let's declare the mission and power variables. The first one will be set to True, the second one will be used to store points. First we take 0. We also introduce the variable timer2: it will make the lowering of the ceiling gradual.

3. Let's write a while mission loop. It will be endless and connected to an active mission. Additionally, we introduce the timer variable and assign it the value 1.

Now we need to implement a loop that will be used for scoring. To do this:

1. Let's place the player's current position in pos.

2. Let's store in b the block located under the player's feet.

3. Let's create and check the conditions. We want the power variable to increase by 1 when the character stands on a diamond block; Additionally, it is necessary that a message about the number of points scored is displayed in the chat. Once collected, the diamond should disappear and become an air block, and the timer variable should be zero. In this case, outside the conditional structure, you need to subtract one from the current value of this variable and increase timer2.

Final touches

We know how to make a room in Minecraft, but today's project is still a long way off. Let's:

1. Let's write a series of checks. We are talking about a new condition. So, if 10 diamond blocks are collected, and power has the appropriate value, then an output should appear.

2. Let's change the setBlocks function. When the marked condition is met, it should create two empty blocks in the wall and display a message about the opening of the entrance. The power variable in this case is reset to zero.

3. Let's create a condition for lowering the ceiling. H must decrease by one.

4. Let's program setBlocks so that it fills the space at the top with a glowing stone. This is necessary so that the room gradually becomes smaller.

Now let's program the fire. To do this:

1. Let's set the appearance of fire if timer2 contains a value at level 40.

2. Let's write a script to reduce the number of lives if the character comes into contact with a fire.

3. Let's create an obstacle in the form of a line of leaves with timer2 with a value of 60. The drawLine function will help.

We will also set one more condition: if the player’s lives are over, the mission gets the value false. A message will be displayed in the chat with information about the completion of the game. At the same time, we will make the process stop for 0.5 seconds and start again.

Now we need to create another loss condition – the glowing stone touching the character’s head. Additionally, we will program the following: when a player leaves the room, game and mission become false, a message about winning is displayed in the chat, and the room disappears.

Bonus: complete code and training video

We figured out how to build a room in Minecraft and turn it into a full-fledged game project. We really hope everything worked out!

Below is the structure and all the entire lines of code.

But Minecraft video tutorial for kids. In the video, a Pixel School teacher explained how to complete the Panic Room project using the Python language.

We would like to summarize and note that teaching children programming is not so much promising as it is useful. Classes teach children to think logically, develop their attentiveness and bring them closer to IT. And it doesn’t matter how the training takes place: independently or in courses.

Material prepared by Pixel School. We teach children aged 5–17 years to use various IT tools and write code, create websites, games and 3D models, computer graphics, as well as unlock their own potential in the world of information technology. Check out our well on Minecraft and Python for children 9-13 years old.