How to Put Games on Your Graphing Calculator

Introduction

Graphing calculators like the TI-84 Plus CE are powerful devices that can run custom programs. While they're primarily designed for graphing and calculations, their programming capabilities allow you to create simple games. These games can be educational, entertaining, or even practical for learning programming concepts.

This guide will focus on creating a simple game called "Snake" that runs on a TI-84 Plus CE. The game will use the calculator's keypad for input and display graphics on the screen. While the calculator's limited hardware means the game won't be as sophisticated as those on modern devices, it's a great way to explore programming on a graphing calculator.

Requirements

Before you begin, you'll need:

• A TI-84 Plus CE graphing calculator
• A TI-Connect software or a USB cable for transferring programs
• A computer with TI-Connect installed
• Basic knowledge of TI-Basic programming

If you're new to programming on a TI-84 Plus CE, you may want to start with simpler programs before attempting a game. The TI-Basic programming language is relatively straightforward but has some quirks that can be confusing for beginners.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Setting Up Your Calculator

First, ensure your calculator is in the correct mode for programming. Press the MODE button and select "TI-Basic" from the menu. This will put your calculator in the programming environment where you can write and run programs.

Step 2: Writing the Snake Game Program

The Snake game requires several components: a snake that moves, food that appears randomly, and collision detection. Here's a simplified version of the code:

:ClrHome
:0→X1 :0→Y1 :1→X2 :1→Y2 :2→X3 :2→Y3 :3→X4 :3→Y4
:4→X5 :4→Y5 :5→X6 :5→Y6 :6→X7 :6→Y7 :7→X8 :7→Y8
:8→X9 :8→Y9 :9→X10 :9→Y10
:0→Dir :1→Len :10→MaxLen
:While not(getKey)
:If getKey=1 :0→Dir :End
:If getKey=2 :1→Dir :End
:If getKey=3 :2→Dir :End
:If getKey=4 :3→Dir :End
:If Dir=0 :X1+1→X1 :End
:If Dir=1 :X1-1→X1 :End
:If Dir=2 :Y1+1→Y1 :End
:If Dir=3 :Y1-1→Y1 :End
:For(I,1,Len
:If I=1 :X1→X(I) :Y1→Y(I) :Else :X(I-1)→X(I) :Y(I-1)→Y(I) :End
:End
:If X1=XFood and Y1=YFood :Len+1→Len :randInt(0,9)→XFood :randInt(0,9)→YFood :End
:ClrDraw
:For(I,1,Len
:Pixel-On(X(I),Y(I))
:End
:Pixel-On(XFood,YFood)
:End
:ClrHome
:Disp "GAME OVER"
:Pause 2
                        

This code initializes the snake with 10 segments, sets up the initial direction, and enters a loop that continues until a key is pressed. The snake moves based on the direction set by the arrow keys, and the game ends if the snake hits the edge of the screen or itself.

Step 3: Transferring the Program to Your Calculator

Once you've written the program on your computer, you'll need to transfer it to your calculator. Connect your calculator to your computer using a USB cable or TI-Connect software. Open the TI-Connect software and select the "Send to Calculator" option. Navigate to the file containing your program and select it for transfer.

Step 4: Running the Game

After transferring the program, turn off your calculator and then turn it back on. Press the PRGM button to access the program menu. Select the program you just transferred and press ENTER to run it. Use the arrow keys to control the snake and try to eat as much food as possible without hitting the walls or yourself.

Examples

Here are a few examples of games you can create on your graphing calculator:

• Tic-Tac-Toe: A two-player game where players take turns marking spaces in a 3x3 grid.
• Hangman: A word-guessing game where players try to guess a word before the hangman is drawn.
• Pong: A simple version of the classic arcade game where players control paddles to hit a ball back and forth.

These examples demonstrate the versatility of graphing calculators and how they can be used for more than just mathematical calculations.