First Day
Getting Started Guide

Updated 9/14/24

step one

Watch this Welcome Video

step Two

Follow these directions if you've attended create and code in the past

Let’s get right back in to it, shall we! Your Bloxels account has been added to your new club group. You’ll need to log in using a new class code for this year. Your club leader will share that code with you.

Once you’re logged in, why don’t you start by playing some of the latest Featured Games (or other Arcade games) to get some new ideas for what you’ll create. Alternatively, you can jump right back into one of the Builders. 

Follow these directions if you're
brand new to create and code

To start, you’ll spend time with Bloxels creating your very own video games.

Later, you’ll be able to try other tools like MakeCode Arcade and Storyboard That.

Let's play!

Use this button to load Bloxels in a new tab.

Now, let’s play some games! At this point, you do not need to log in. 

From the Bloxels home screen, you can play any of the Featured Games. You can also go directly to the Arcade for more choices. For now, choose from the Featured Games or Most Popular sections.

The games below are great examples of what you can do with Bloxels. Use this time to get familiar with the Bloxels controls and the types of games you’ll be able to create.

These games were all designed in Create and Code by Brainiacs just like you!

Logging in

Now that you’ve played for a while, you’re ready to get logged in to your Bloxels account so you can start creating. If you’re at the home screen, press the Log In button in the upper left corner.

If you’re in the Arcade, click the User icon next to the word Arcade at the top of the screen. Then press Log In on the menu that pops up.

    • When the Log In screen pops up, you’ll need to enter your school’s Class Code. Your club leader will share this with you. Once you’ve entered it, press Go.

    • On the next screen, you will select the account that matches your initials (first letter of first name and first letter of last name). In some cases, additional letters have been added to help tell you apart from another student. If you’re not sure which account to choose, please ask your club leader for help. DO NOT SELECT AN ACCOUNT UNLESS YOU’RE CERTAIN IT BELONGS TO YOU!!!

    • Once you’ve selected your name, press Next. You will be asked to enter your password, which is a 4-digit number. Your club leader will give you your password. Once you’ve entered it, press Login. Success! Now you’re ready to build!

Let's build!

From the Bloxels home screen, select Build. For today, you can choose any of the Builders: Game, Character, Art, or Background. For today, we just want you to explore on your own to see what you can figure out. Try clicking clicking different buttons to see what they do. If you’re making a game, try and figure out what each of the 8 different block types does. Ask for help from your club leader or fellow students if you need it. Most importantly, have fun! 

step three

Design Challenge (all students)

update your avatar

Now would be a great time to set a new avatar for your account. Here are some directions to make the change. 

Creating a new avatar

First of all, avatars must be created as characters, not art. Avatars CAN BE animated, but they don’t HAVE to be. They will match what you see when you choose the character from the Character Builder select screen. This image comes from the first frame of your character in the IDLE state. If you’re creating a new character simply to act as your avatar, this is the only state you need to complete. Be sure that first frame looks exactly how you want it before setting your avatar.

The view you see of your character on the Character Builder selection screen is what it will look like if selected to be your avatar.

If you’re creating a new character just to serve as your avatar, you only need to complete one frame of the IDLE state.

Setting your avatar

Once your character has been created, you’ll need to go to your Profile to set it as your avatar. From the home screen, you can click on the button that says MY PROFILE. From anywhere else, you can click the square where you see your avatar and then select PROFILE from the menu that pops up. 

Once you’re at your profile, press the Pencil icon next to your avatar picture. This will allow you to choose a new avatar. It will be set once you click on the one you want. 

Your profile screen. Press the Pencil icon next to the avatar picture to select a new avatar.

Just press on the one you want to select. What you see is how it will appear. If your avatar is animated, you will see an animated version of it in your profile.

And just like that, you’ve got a new avatar!

Watch me first, then look below for more directions.

Let's play!

Use this button to load Bloxels in a new tab.

Alright, let’s play some games! At this point, you do not need to log in (though you may if you’ve already used Bloxels in the past). 

The games below are great examples of what you can do with Bloxels. Use this time to get familiar with the Bloxels controls and the types of games you’ll be able to create.

 

Featured Bloxels games

Playing these games will teach you a lot of what you need to know about creating with Bloxels.

These games were all designed in Create and Code by Brainiacs just like you!

Logging in

You’re now ready to get logged in to your Bloxels account so you can start creating. If you’re at the home screen, just stop moving for a moment and the buttons should re-appear. Press the Log In button in the upper left corner.

If you’re in the Arcade, click the User icon next to the word Arcade at the top of the screen. Then press Log In on the menu that pops up.

    • When the Log In screen pops up, you’ll need to enter your school’s Class Code. Your club leader will share this with you. Once you’ve entered it, press Go.
    • On the next screen, you will select the account that matches your initials (first letter of first name and first letter of last name). In some cases, additional letters have been added to help tell you apart from another student. If you’re not sure which account to choose, please ask your club leader for help. DO NOT SELECT AN ACCOUNT UNLESS YOU’RE CERTAIN IT BELONGS TO YOU!!!
  • Once you’ve selected your name, press Next. The first time you log in, you’ll be asked to create a password. This will be a 4-digit number using 0-9. DO NOT CHOOSE 1234 or some other very easy to guess combination. Try to pick something only you would know and will be hard for others to guess. Once you’ve entered your password, press Login. Success!
 
 

Let's Build!

We’re going to make a game together! Watch the video below for guided instructions on how to create your first Platformer game.

From the Bloxels home screen, select Build. Then choose Games. On the next screen, press Create New Game, then choose Platformer. 

Making a Simple Platformer Game

Follow along with me to create this game. Don’t worry about it being exactly perfect, just do your best. Pause the video if you need to, work on your game, then keep watching. When the video ends, spend as much time as you’d like adding to your version of the game. Have fun!

Quiz time!

Show what you know about Bloxels!

Enter your Bloxels username to begin.

Bloxels Username:

2. Click on the picture link in the Getting Started section to get to Bloxels.

4. You can go the Bloxels arcade to play more games. If you stop moving in the game, the buttons will re-appear. Press the Play button, then Play Now.

Now you’re in the Arcade. From here, you can play some of the Featured and Most Popular Games. Keep playing until your club leader tells you to come back to this page for the next step. 

Coding

Watch me first, then look below for more directions.

Hour of Code

1. Use the button to go to the Hour of Code Activities page.

2. Choose one of the Hour of Code activities to complete. Follow the directions to figure out what you need to do. Think through any problems you are having. DON’T GIVE UP!

Your club leader may be busy helping another student. Before you raise your hand to ask them a question, try asking a friend or neighbor for help first. Don’t be afraid to ask your leader for help if you really need it!

When you’ve finished the activity, you may start another or you can check out the Links and Games page.

Digital Storytelling

Watch me first, then look below for more directions.

Make Beliefs comix

1. Use the button to go to the Make Beliefs Comix page.

2. Click on the picture link in the Getting Started section to get to Make Beliefs Comix.

3. Follow the directions in the video above/on the Make Beliefs Comix page to create your account and get started creating your first comic strip.

Multimedia

Watch me first, then look below for more directions.

Exploring animation, art, and music

1. Use the button to go to the Multimedia page.

2. Multimedia is a collection of tools you can use to create animation, art, and music. For today, you can explore all six of the available sites to see what they’re all about. 

Follow the directions on the Multimedia page to get started with each site.

Don’t be afraid to ask your club leader if you need help!

Web design

Watch me first, then look below for more directions.

BSD education - Jokes and Riddles

1. Use the button to go to the BSD Education page.

2. Scroll down until you see the What Should I Do section.

Choose the Jokes and Riddles project to get started.

3. Follow the directions to complete the Jokes and Riddles project. Think through any problems you are having. DON’T GIVE UP!

Don’t be afraid to ask your leader for help!

Record your login information here