Barricade8: BARRIER console

Arcade Collaboration
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PLEASE READ THIS; DO NOT SKIP

So, I know people have tried to make this sort of thing before, and I know it’s not easy, but me and the rest of the BARRIER team are gonna try to make it work. Here’s the strategy:

Strategy

  1. we’ll set up a basic program in blocks to start, using a simple title screen, currency system (called “Shield Points” based on the team logo here:

    image
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    )

  2. we’ll then switch to javascript, using an easy import system, so we can have some HUGE games on this console.

  3. Anybody can then submit a game to the console, with the following requirements:

Requirements
  1. The game must be at least 1 hour playthrough time.
  2. All assets must be named.
  3. Tile assets CANNOT be named “Tile1” or “Tile5”. They must be named in this order: Let’s say you have a brick block. Many games have brick blocks, so if your project is called “Burpfish” call the tile “BurpfishBrick” tiles must be named “[projectname][tilename]”.
  4. You cannot have anything besides a start function in “on start”. If you have set screen width and height, just let me know and I’ll use @Kiwiphoenix364‘s “pxt-zoom” extension to set the resolution.
  5. EVERY LOOP IN THE GAME (functions, game updates, forevers, on overlapping, etc) MUST HAVE an if statement around the code, called “Playing[gamename]”, for example “PlayingBurpfish” in an on game update.
  6. The game must have an engaging story, not necessarily a long and complex one, but it cannot be simply plotless.
  7. You’ll have to make a 64x48 thumbnail for your game.
  8. Finally, all variables must not be named obscurely. Use the same format as tiles (“[gamename][variablename]”) that way we don’t have overlapping variables.
WARNING

ANY GAMES THAT EITHER HAVE BUGS OR DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA will not be accepted into the console network. HOWEVER, this doesn’t mean it is banned. You can bugfix and program more of the project to meet the criteria, and you can do this as many times as you want until it’s accepted.

The console doesn’t have a name yet, and it is far from finished.

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1 hour play through time and engaging story?! How do you expect anyone to be able to do that, let alone multiple people? Even the best makecode games struggle to do this, and I can only think of conquest of Duat for these criteria. Which took over two years (if I remember correctly). By all means if anyone here considers it, I am not stopping you. Just maybe make achievable requirements if you would like other people to make a game.

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A better idea for req. 5 is that you have 1 Playing variable and loops are just in one big if statement. Also I’ll go ahead and try.

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Ok, yeah I’m just now realizing how long an hour is and that’s way too much time for a requirement (I made it an hour because I can do that fairly easily) so I’m changing it.

it requires at least 10 minutes gameplay time. @BotWarrior is that better?

ALSO, when I say engaging story I mean a story that isn’t dull. (NOT a story like “get through the level”)

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cutscene-started-and-i-knew-what-i-had-to-do-v0-x4a4xswlbbpb1 (1)
cutscene-started-and-i-knew-what-i-had-to-do-v0-x4a4xswlbbpb1 (1)240×135 34.5 KB

Let Me Cook

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So, with your time criteria, how would it apply to games made to be short but replayable (Like score-based arcade minigames)? Would those just not be allowed to exist or is there an exception for games meant to be replayed?

asking this because i might do a little port of the first game i released wich is based on a score system

2 Likes
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Are you planning on applying this to hardware or just a browser thing?

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How does one get “shieldpoints” and should i stick to the makecode arcade color palette?

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I’m working on a game for this. I’m gonna call it Tiny World. It’ll be kinda like Stardew valley except it’ll be more simplistic. here’s the logo it fits your dimesnions.

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For those who don’t feel like copy and pasting but want to see it:

Screenshot 2025-08-11 154811
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As long as it has multiple ways to replay; your game SHAPE SMASHER is a good example of this as you can replay the game multiple times but with all the different bodies and weapons to switch between it makes it interesting. I’ll also make an exception for story for simple puzzle games or card games like @Luke’s Card Delver.

2 Likes
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nah, I’m planning on THOUSANDS of lines of code, it won’t work on hardware, sadly.

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yeah, I don’t mean a separate variable for each loop (that would be way too much work for anyone and would gum up the project intensely). I mostly mean I want an “if statement” loop around each and every “game update”, “function”, “forever” loop, etc, then in all those if statements say “Playing[gamename]” that way it won’t play five games at the same time when you select one to play.

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A bit off topic from the rest of the discussion, but do you think I should make it so you have to set up a PIN before playing?

  • Yes, add a PIN
  • No, anybody can have free access on my device
  • Make it optional to set up a PIN
0 voters
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Nope, any palette will work; and you earn shield points by completing achievements and levels in games. That reminds me, if you want to make a game, please remember to tell me exactly where shield points can be earned.

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Looks good! it should fit dimensions, and I look forward to seeing the game!

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Im Making A Platformer Called Warped (Only Posted The Picture Because it was made in a custom palette

Screenshot 2025-08-11 22.59.04
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The Main Mechanic Is “Warping” Between Worlds (Like Link To the Past if you’ve played it), Making You Able To Stand On The Background Tiles And other stuffs Working On The Second Level RN, Ill Be Finished Maybe In 2 Weeks?

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Can shieldpoints be used to buy games and will this console eventually be run outside of makecode

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Nice, looks interesting! Can’t wait to see it, but remember when you share it to send me the palette as well. Will there be alternate dimensions, or more like past, present, and future? Sounds like a good idea!

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yeah shieldpoints are used to buy new games, and no this console will only be makecode.

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Okay, but wdym when you say that we will eventually migarte to javascript

1 Like