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Godot Basics

Godot is the game engine used in this course.

A game engine provides tools that handle common tasks so you can focus on:

  • gameplay
  • interaction
  • logic
  • design decisions

Using the correct engine is a requirement for assessment.

What Is a Game Engine?​

A game engine provides:

  • graphics rendering
  • input handling (keyboard, mouse, controller)
  • physics and collisions
  • scene and object management

What Is a Game Engine - graphics, input, physics, and scene management connected through the engine

Recommended video: Godot in 100 Seconds

Without a game engine, building a game would require much more work.

Why Godot?​

Godot is used in this course because:

  • it is free and open source
  • it supports both 2D and 3D games
  • it uses a readable scripting language
  • it encourages good structure

Why Godot - free, flexible, readable, and structured for beginners

Godot is powerful enough for complex games, but accessible for beginners.

Projects and Files​

A Godot project contains:

  • scenes (game objects and layouts)
  • scripts (behaviour and logic)
  • assets (images, sounds, fonts)

Keeping your project organised is important for:

  • debugging
  • assessment verification
  • explaining your work

Projects and Files - scenes, scripts, and assets organised inside a Godot project

Recommended video: The 4 Essential Building Blocks of Every Godot Game

GDScript​

GDScript is the programming language used in Godot.

It is similar to Python and focuses on:

  • readability
  • simplicity
  • clear structure

You will use GDScript to:

  • control player movement
  • respond to input
  • manage game states
  • handle collisions and events

GDScript - readable code used for movement, input, game states, and collisions

Recommended video: How to program in Godot - GDScript Tutorial

Working in Godot​

When developing in Godot, you should:

  • build features one at a time
  • test frequently
  • save versions regularly
  • document changes

Working in Godot - a repeating workflow of design, build, test, and fix

Rushing leads to bugs and missing evidence.

Godot and Assessment​

In AS92005:

  • your game must be built in Godot
  • you must be able to explain how scenes and scripts work
  • your development process must be visible

Godot and Assessment - Godot use, explanation of scenes and scripts, and visible process

Copying tutorials without understanding is risky.

Looking Ahead​

Next, you will learn:

  • how Godot organises games using scenes and nodes
  • how scripts are attached to objects
  • how mechanics are implemented

Looking Ahead - scenes, nodes, scripts, and mechanics coming next

Understanding the basics makes later development smoother.

End of Godot Basics