Find the Button

6-7 yrs old

8-10 yrs old

11-13 yrs old

Art and Design

Computer Science

Gaming

Find the button is a classic minigame in Minecraft, and can be used as a great introduction to coding using command blocks.

Submitted By: Philip Golden

December 8, 2018

This is a great example of a full find the button game that students can use to learn the premise of the game & understand the use of command blocks

The the the mcworld file that the students should start in when they create their own find the button games

This document gives the basic command block examples that are needed to create the game

Learning to code using command blocks: Starting from simple teleportation and messages and through various progressions. Crucially more sophisticated use of command blocks allows the student to add more functionality to their game
Game design: Each student can create an entire level from scratch, and then students play each others levels and give feedback. Each student then iterates their design, fixing bugs and adding enhancements based on feedback. The scope of creativity is huge.

Introduction to command blocks, and how they can be used to control aspects of Minecraft using code
Understanding of game design, what makes a level good to play? What are the downsides to making it too easy/hard? If we have different stages in the level, can we link them together well?
Co-ordinate Geometry: Used through the project for teleporting, command blocks and placing blocks/buttons/levers

Have the students start by playing the excellent Find the Button game available at: http://mcpedl.com/find-the-button-houses-edition/, included as an attachment
After playing as normal, have the students switch to Creative Mode and try to figure out how the game is made using Command Blocks
Start with all students in the attached FindTheButtonStart.mcworld (this will accommodate up to 25 students at a time, the grid can be clone if more are needed. Each students should claim one unique square of the grid
Give students the attached MinecraftFindTheButton.pdf handout, and give a brief explanation of how the different examples were used in the example game to create the different levels
Have each student create a Find the Button game, and end each by teleporting to the adjacent level
Have students lay each others levels and give constructive feedback

Having completed the lesson, all students should have a good familiarity with command blocks, including using them to show messages and teleport players. Progressions include using /setblock commands to remotely power external command blocks which then add stages to levels
Students should be able to explain why they think their game is fun to play, focusing on the experience of the player as they work through it
Students should be able to both give and take constructive feedback that is used improve their game