Introduction
Welcome to another exciting journey in the world of JavaScript development! In this tutorial, we’ll explore the fusion of creativity and coding as we embark on a project to build a Mario Maker-style web application. Not only will we dive into the fascinating mechanics of building such an interactive experience, but we will also incorporate GitLab CI to streamline our development workflow. Imagine being able to create your own unique levels, much like in Mario Maker, while utilizing modern web technologies and practices.
By the end of this article, you will have a functional application that allows users to design and play custom levels using a JavaScript framework of your choice. Whether you are a beginner eager to step into the vast arena of web development or an experienced developer looking to enhance your skills in CI/CD pipelines, this guide aims to provide you with valuable insights and skills.
So, grab your coding gear, and let’s jump into the world of game development while mastering GitLab CI for continuous integration and deployment. This project not only enhances your JavaScript prowess but also equips you with essential modern practices!
Setting Up the Project
To kick things off, we need to establish a solid project foundation. We’ll use React as our front-end library for its flexibility and popularity among developers. But you can also opt for Vue or Angular if you’re more comfortable with them. First, start by creating a new React project using Create React App, as follows:
npx create-react-app mario-makerOnce your project is set up, navigate into your newly created directory:
cd mario-makerNext, it’s time to structure our application. We’ll need components for the level editor, the game area, and a toolbar. Create a directory named components under the src directory, and create files for LevelEditor.js, GameArea.js, and Toolbar.js. This modular approach helps us manage each part of our application effectively as we scale.
Building the Level Editor
The Level Editor is the heart of our Mario Maker clone. This is where users will design their game levels. Let’s start by creating a simple interface that allows users to place tiles on a grid. First, we need to establish a state that will hold our level data.
import React, { useState } from 'react';
const LevelEditor = () => {
const [grid, setGrid] = useState(Array(10).fill(Array(10).fill(0)));
const placeTile = (row, col) => {
const newGrid = grid.map((r, rowIndex) =>
r.map((tile, colIndex) =>
rowIndex === row && colIndex === col ? 1 : tile
)
);
setGrid(newGrid);
};
return (
{grid.map((row, rowIndex) => (
{row.map((tile, colIndex) => (
placeTile(rowIndex, colIndex)} key={colIndex}>
{tile === 0 ? '⬜' : '🟩'}
))}
))}
);
};
export default LevelEditor;In this code, we initialize our grid with a 10×10 setup where each tile can either be empty (represented by a white square) or filled (represented by a green square). Clicking on a tile will toggle between filled and empty states. Next, you can style the grid by adding some CSS to enhance user experience. Create a file LevelEditor.css and include styles that make the grid visually appealing.
Making the Game Area Interactive
Once we have our level designed, we need a Game Area where users can test their levels. This area will read the grid data from the Level Editor and generate a simple character (such as Mario) that can move around the space based on user input. We will create a new component called GameArea.js:
import React, { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
const GameArea = ({ grid }) => {
const [position, setPosition] = useState({ x: 0, y: 0 });
const handleKeyPress = (e) => {
switch (e.key) {
case 'ArrowUp':
setPosition(pos => ({...pos, y: Math.max(pos.y - 1, 0)}));
break;
case 'ArrowDown':
setPosition(pos => ({...pos, y: Math.min(pos.y + 1, grid.length - 1)}));
break;
case 'ArrowLeft':
setPosition(pos => ({...pos, x: Math.max(pos.x - 1, 0)}));
break;
case 'ArrowRight':
setPosition(pos => ({...pos, x: Math.min(pos.x + 1, grid[0].length - 1)}));
break;
default:
break;
}
};
useEffect(() => {
window.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeyPress);
return () => {
window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeyPress);
};
}, []);
return (
{grid.map((row, rowIndex) => (
{row.map((tile, colIndex) => (
{(rowIndex === position.y && colIndex === position.x) ? '🐵' : '⬜'}
))}
))}
);
};
export default GameArea;Here, we are tracking the position of our character using React’s state management. The character can be moved using the arrow keys. We listen for keydown events and adjust the character’s position accordingly while ensuring it doesn’t go out of bounds. Similarly, you can use CSS to enhance how the Game Area looks. Theme it out just as you would in a Mario game!
Integrating GitLab CI for Continuous Development
Now that we have a functional project structure, it’s time to set up continuous integration with GitLab. GitLab CI allows us to automate some of the tedious tasks we used to handle manually, such as testing our application or deploying it to a server. To get started, create a .gitlab-ci.yml file in the root of your project folder:
image: node:14
stages:
- test
- deploy
cache:
paths:
- node_modules/
before_script:
- npm install
unit_tests:
stage: test
script:
- npm test
deploy:
stage: deploy
script:
- npm run build
- echo "Deploying to server..."
only:
- masterThis configuration defines two stages: testing and deploying. In the test stage, we run our unit tests every time code is pushed to the repository. This ensures that our code is functioning as expected before it reaches the production stage.
In the deploy stage, we create the production build of our application and can later add deployment scripts to actually deploy it to a hosting service. For the exciting launch party of your Mario Maker clone, you can use a cloud service like Heroku or Netlify!
Testing and Debugging
Testing and debugging are essential parts of any development process. With your GitLab CI set up, you can run tests as you develop features. Using Jest, you can write unit tests for your components. Here’s a simple test script for the LevelEditor component:
import { render, screen, fireEvent } from '@testing-library/react';
import LevelEditor from './LevelEditor';
test('renders level editor and interacts with tiles', () => {
render(This test checks if the Level Editor renders correctly and if clicking a tile changes its state. Consistent testing early on can save a lot of headaches later in the project when bugs come to light.
Going Further: Adding Features and Enhancements
As you become comfortable with the basic building blocks of your Mario Maker clone, consider adding additional features. For instance, you could allow users to save levels, implement score tracking, or even allow different environments (night/day modes) to switch things up.
You could also enhance the User Interface significantly, adding animations, sound effects, and themes that can enrich the gaming experience. Why not let players choose different characters? Or add background music to keep users engaged while they design their levels?
Also, think about integrating multiplayer functionalities which would allow users to collaboratively design levels. Exploring new functionalities not only increases user engagement but also polishes your own skills and creativity.
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve walked through the steps to create a simple Mario Maker clone using JavaScript, React, and GitLab CI for continuous integration. You’ve learned the fundamentals of building a web-based game editor, set up a project structure, and optimized your workflow with CI/CD practices. This project exemplifies how coding can merge with creativity to produce something engaging and fun.
As you continue your journey, remember that practice is key, and every project you create enhances your abilities. Explore further, challenge yourself to add more features, and who knows — your Mario Maker clone may inspire the next big web gaming sensation!
Thanks for joining me on this adventure at www.succeedjavascript.com! Keep coding, keep innovating, and let’s make the web a fun place to play and learn.