# Spike's Learning Journey **URL:** \ **Category:** Help\ **Tags:** graphics-and-math, make, art\ **Created:** [March 7, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565 "2026-03-07T21:38:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/spike/32/33316_2.png) [@Spike](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Spike)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/1 "2026-03-07T21:38:46Z")
This topic is for asking how things blocks work and keeping track of what Iearned. I want to make better games, and if I understand how the blocks work then ---
**Author:** ![redSprite](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/redsprite/32/34262_2.png) [@redSprite](https://forum.makecode.com/u/redSprite)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 1:08am UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/2 "2026-03-08T01:08:55Z")
Hm alright, have fun. ---
**Author:** ![Spike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/spike/32/33316_2.png) [@Spike](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Spike)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 3:36am UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/3 "2026-03-08T03:36:40Z")
I accidentally clicked “Create Topic” while writing by accident. But anyways, to start, how do the first two blocks work? ![Blocks in question](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/e/2/e2ca5779fbf5da852e6865476931779671379b5f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![BitBot](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/bitbot/32/33272_2.png) [@BitBot](https://forum.makecode.com/u/BitBot)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 6:18pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/4 "2026-03-08T18:18:59Z")
These pictures might help: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/1/1/11ca74be6fa67f1590f295abd69dcab1dd98c390.png) Game window: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/6/8/68e4a6505cd26abbdf71413a012dc40f2af4d3f5.png) If you have any questions, ask me! ---
**Author:** ![redSprite](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/redsprite/32/34262_2.png) [@redSprite](https://forum.makecode.com/u/redSprite)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 6:24pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/5 "2026-03-08T18:24:10Z")
For [index] from 0 to 4 allows you loop a set amount of times while having an “index” value to keep track of the current loop. You can use it for enemy generation and such, but here’s a simple example: ![Demo example 1](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/f/f/ffe37af4bc7318f7585cb05e73acd966d6a32621.png) The code in this case will splash numbers 0 to 4 on the simulator: ![Example GIF](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/e/9/e993a47b44c8514d1a2c4f284b5e2eda67641c18.png) * * * For element [value] of [list] is a block used for looping among a list’s values, with each loop being a different value based on the content of the list, you can use this for AI among multiple sprites. Here is an example similar to the other one: ![Example 2](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/6/c/6c49f93e8872deb32f80a149e935fd088373f6c7.png) This code will splash all the values of the list onto the screen, as shown on the GIF: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/f/1/f1cc7fd5adddae88c905900313e58b5d02421238.png) * * * I hope that explains the blocks well! But one last thing: If you right click on a block then click on the “help” option, you can open up that block’s MD documentation! (However, it is quite broad in some sense.) ---
**Author:** ![CodingGrizzlyBear](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/codinggrizzlybear/32/14838_2.png) [@CodingGrizzlyBear](https://forum.makecode.com/u/CodingGrizzlyBear)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2026, 2:10am UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/6 "2026-03-09T02:10:57Z")
The MD documentations: > **[For](https://arcade.makecode.com/blocks/loops/for)** > > Run part of the program the number of times you say using an index variable. > **[For Of](https://arcade.makecode.com/blocks/loops/for-of)** > > Run part of the program for each element in a list. ---
**Author:** ![Air](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/air/32/26413_2.png) [@Air](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Air)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2026, 2:12am UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/7 "2026-03-09T02:12:05Z")
I use the first one for basic enemy spawning: ![Screenshot 2026-03-09 09.08.27](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/makecode/original/3X/8/7/877f5593ae5657d8323f9e83791511906dc7d86f.png) ---
**Author:** ![Spike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/spike/32/33316_2.png) [@Spike](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Spike)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/8 "2026-03-10T20:34:23Z")
Wait, guys, what Z (depth) value is a tile map at, because I want to make a sprite positioned below the map. ---
**Author:** ![richard](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/richard/32/5417_2.png) [@richard](https://forum.makecode.com/u/richard)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/9 "2026-03-10T20:34:44Z")
the tilemap has a z value of -1 ---
**Author:** ![Spike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/spike/32/33316_2.png) [@Spike](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Spike)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/10 "2026-04-14T16:34:10Z")
What does the storyboard extension do? ---
**Author:** ![CodingGrizzlyBear](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/codinggrizzlybear/32/14838_2.png) [@CodingGrizzlyBear](https://forum.makecode.com/u/CodingGrizzlyBear)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 8:50pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/11 "2026-04-15T20:50:13Z")
You can make cutscenes and stuff its really useful this is a thingy I made a long time ago explaining what it can do > **[Storyboard Showcase](https://arcade.makecode.com/S09499-28876-30078-09784)** > > Made with ❤️ in Microsoft MakeCode Arcade. ---
**Author:** ![Spike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/spike/32/33316_2.png) [@Spike](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Spike)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/12 "2026-05-04T19:14:24Z")
Is there a way to detect the frame an animation is on? If there isn’t, then is there a way to detect if an animation is playing on a sprite? ---
**Author:** ![AlexTheGoober64](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/alexthegoober64/32/35807_2.png) [@AlexTheGoober64](https://forum.makecode.com/u/AlexTheGoober64)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/13 "2026-05-04T23:45:20Z")
I don’t think there is a way, maybe. Maybe you could put in a block for a time that would count down and show a check, there is an extension I use for time blocks that can be found in the extensions section, it’s really useful. Also to detect if an animation is playing on a sprite… 👁👄👁(use your eyes) ---
**Author:** ![YamJam](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/yamjam/32/29681_2.png) [@YamJam](https://forum.makecode.com/u/YamJam)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 11:56pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/14 "2026-05-04T23:56:48Z")
What about the actual blue story_board_ extension? I’ve always wondered what it was for… ---
**Author:** ![Spike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/spike/32/33316_2.png) [@Spike](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Spike)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 3:14am UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/15 "2026-05-05T03:14:08Z")
> [@AlexTheGoober64](#): > > Also to detect if an animation is playing on a sprite… 👁👄👁(use your eyes) i meant how to detect if an animation is playing on a Sprite in the editor, like if an animation is playing, then it does something. Is there a block like that? ---
**Author:** ![AlexTheGoober64](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/alexthegoober64/32/35807_2.png) [@AlexTheGoober64](https://forum.makecode.com/u/AlexTheGoober64)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/16 "2026-05-05T17:43:32Z")
Honestly I have no idea lol ---
**Author:** ![xInsqne1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/xinsqne1/32/34060_2.png) [@xInsqne1](https://forum.makecode.com/u/xInsqne1)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/17 "2026-05-05T20:10:02Z")
Using the “Character Animation extension” in the default extension menu you can check for that! Here’s a project explaining (It’s not hard!) > **[Check if animation is playing](https://arcade.makecode.com/S86794-70995-68287-73027)** > > Made with ❤️ in Microsoft MakeCode Arcade. ---
**Author:** ![AlexTheGoober64](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/alexthegoober64/32/35807_2.png) [@AlexTheGoober64](https://forum.makecode.com/u/AlexTheGoober64)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/18 "2026-05-06T17:50:16Z")
i feel like thats just the character talking because the movement key has been clicked, and there isn’t even any movement. ---
**Author:** ![xInsqne1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/xinsqne1/32/34060_2.png) [@xInsqne1](https://forum.makecode.com/u/xInsqne1)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 9:27pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/19 "2026-05-06T21:27:40Z")
Well obviously, you would fill in whatever animation it needs to be. this is the barebones sketch of what I was talking about. If you move left right up or down the character says he’s moving in that direction. ---
**Author:** ![Spike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/spike/32/33316_2.png) [@Spike](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Spike)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565/20 "2026-05-17T16:21:40Z")
Guys is there a way to change the rotation of the camera, or is that off limits? [Next page](https://forum.makecode.com/t/spikes-learning-journey/42565.md?page=2)