Let’s Make a Pacman Game in C++ | CodeHelping

Posted on By Omkar Pathak No Comments on Let’s Make a Pacman Game in C++ | CodeHelping
Blog, C++ Projects, Project

In this blog, we will explore a console-based implementation of a Pacman game in C++ and briefly break down the code mechanics.

This project is a great way for beginners to learn how games work, like how the game keeps running (game loop), how objects bump into each other (collision), and how things are shown on screen (rendering), all inside the console. Let’s get started!

How to make Pacman Game in C++

What is this Pac Man Game?

This game is like a simple version of Pacman. The player moves around a maze, eats dots (fruits), and tries to stay away from enemies. The maze is shown as a grid, and the game changes as the player moves or enemies move. The game stops if the player hits an enemy or decides to quit.

Key Components of the Code

The maze is made using a 2D array (like a grid), where each box shows something — a wall, path, dot (fruit), player, or enemy.
Here’s what the symbols mean:

# → Wall (you can’t pass through)

. → Fruit (collectible dots)

(space) → Open path (you can move here)

x → You (Pacman)

E → Enemy

Example of a simple map:

##########
#........#
#.######.#
#........#
##########

Code Breakdown

1. Maze Initialization

The game starts with defining a static 2D maze:

char map[10][10] = {
    {"##########"},
    {"#........#"},
    {"#.######.#"},
    {"#........#"},
    {"##########"}
};

This map is hardcoded, and each symbol corresponds to a specific element of the game. You can modify the array to design custom mazes.

2. Rendering the Map

The gotoxy function is used to position the cursor and render each cell in the console:

void gotoxy(int x, int y) {
    COORD coord;
    coord.X = x;
    coord.Y = y;
    SetConsoleCursorPosition(GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE), coord);
}

This function ensures that updates happen in place, avoiding unnecessary console scrolling.

3. Player Movement

The player’s position is tracked using two variables, playerX and playerY. Movement is handled using GetAsyncKeyState to detect arrow key inputs:

if (GetAsyncKeyState(VK_UP)) {
    if (map[playerY - 1][playerX] != '#') playerY--;
}

Each key press checks if the intended direction leads to an open path. If valid, the player’s position is updated.

4. Enemy Movement

Enemies are represented similarly to the player, with their positions tracked in separate variables. They move randomly:

int direction = rand() % 4;
switch (direction) {
    case 0: if (map[enemyY - 1][enemyX] != '#') enemyY--; break;  // Up
    case 1: if (map[enemyY + 1][enemyX] != '#') enemyY++; break;  // Down
    case 2: if (map[enemyY][enemyX - 1] != '#') enemyX--; break;  // Left
    case 3: if (map[enemyY][enemyX + 1] != '#') enemyX++; break;  // Right
}

Random movement is achieved using the rand() function.

5. Collision Detection

The game checks for collisions between the player and enemies during each iteration of the game loop:

if (playerX == enemyX && playerY == enemyY) {
    gameRunning = false;  // End the game
}

This simple comparison ensures immediate game termination upon collision.

6. Game Loop

The main game logic resides in a loop that updates the game state continuously:

while (gameRunning) {
    renderMap();  // Redraw the maze
    movePlayer(); // Handle player input
    moveEnemies(); // Update enemy positions
    checkCollisions(); // Detect collisions
    Sleep(100); // Control game speed
}

7. End Conditions

The game ends when:

  • The player collides with an enemy.
  • The player manually exits by pressing the escape key (VK_ESCAPE).

How to play this PACMAN GAME?

  • Use these buttons for moving up, left, right, up, and down.
  • Just move pacman ‘x’ & don’t monsters ‘@’

The Complete Pacman Game in C++ Source Code:

GitHub Source Code: Link

#include<iostream>
#include<conio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>		
#include<windows.h>

using namespace std;

void gotoxy(int x,int y)
{
	static HANDLE h = NULL;
	if(!h)
	{	                                            /*HANDLE console = GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);*/
		h = GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);
	}
	COORD c = { x, y};
	SetConsoleCursorPosition(h,c);
}

bool game=true;

int main()
{
	int x=1;
	int y=1;
	int x1=22;
	int y1=1;
	int x2=19;
	int y2=9;
	int x3=37;
	int y3=18;
	a:
	char player=120;
	int enemy1=64;
	int enemy2=42;
	int fruit=0;
	char w=219;
	char map [500][500]={"#######################################", //character array which store map
                     "#.....................................#",
                     "#.########.########.########.########.#",
                     "#.#      #.#      #.#      #.#      #.#",
                     "#.#      #.#      #.#      #.#      #.#",
                     "#.#      #.#      #.#      #.#      #.#",
                     "#.#      #.#      #.#      #.#      #.#",
                     "#.#      #.#      #.#      #.#      #.#",
                     "#.########.########.########.########.#",
                     "#.....................................#",
                     "#.#################.#################.#",
                     "#.#               #.#               #.#",
                     "#.#               #.#               #.#",
                     "#.#               #.#               #.#",
                     "#.#################.#################.#",
                     "#.....................................#",
    				 "#.#################.#################.#",
                     "#.#               #.#               #.#",
                     "#.#               #.#               #.#",
                     "#.#               #.#               #.#",
                     "#.#################.#################.#",
                     "#.....................................#",
                     "#######################################"};

	int dir , up=-1 , down = -2 , left = -3 , right = -4 ; //assign directional variables
	int dir1=4 , up1=1 , down1 = 3 , left1 = 2 , right1 = 4 ;
	int dir2=5 , up2=5 , down2 = 6 , left2 = 7 , right2 = 8 ;
	int dir3=9 , up3=12 , down3 = 10 , left3 = 11 , right3 = 12 ;
	
	system("color e9"); //text and output secreen colour
	
	int i;
	
	for(int k=0;k<=23;k++)
	{
	   for(int j=0;j<=38;j++)
		{
		  gotoxy(k,j);
		  cout<<" ";
		}
	}
	
	gotoxy(50,10);
	
	cout<<"PACMAN";
	
	gotoxy(30,12);
	
	cout<<"Loading:";
	
	for(int k=39;k<=50;k++)
	{
	  gotoxy(k,12);
	  cout<<".";
	}  
	
	for(int k=39;k<=50;k++)
	{
	 gotoxy(k,12);
	 cout<<"<";
	 Sleep(100);
	 gotoxy(k,12);
	 cout<<" ";
	}	
	
	while(game==true)
	
	{ //while start
	 
	  Sleep(100);
	 
	  system("cls");
	 
	  for(i=0;i<23;i++) //output map
	  {
		cout<<map[i]<<endl;
	  }
	
	  for(int k=0;k<23;k++) //highlight map
	  {
	  	for(int j=0;j<=38;j++)
		{
			if(map[k][j]=='#')
			map[k][j]=219;
		}
	   }
	
		map[y][x]=player; //pacman leftmost initial position
	
		if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_DOWN))       /*if(GetAsyncKeystate(VK_DOWN)) DOWN BUTTON */
	   {
		 dir=down;
		 dir1=rand()%4+1;
		 dir2=rand()%4+5;
		 dir3=rand()%4+9;
	    }
	    
		if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_UP))          /*if(GetAsyncKeystate(VK_UP)) UP BUTTON */
	  	{
		 dir=up;
		 dir1=rand()%4+1;
		 dir2=rand()%4+5;
		 dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		
		if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_RIGHT))      /*if(GetAsyncKeystate(VK_RIGHT)) RIGHT BUTTON */
	  	{
		 dir=right;
		 dir1=rand()%4+1;
	     dir2=rand()%4+5;
		 dir3=rand()%4+9;
	   	}
	   
		if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_LEFT))      /*if(GetAsyncKeystate(VK_LEFT)) LEFT BUTTON */
	  	{
		  dir=left;
		  dir1=rand()%4+1;
		  dir2=rand()%4+5;
		  dir3=rand()%4+9;
	   	}
	   
		if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_ESCAPE))     /*if(GetAsyncKeystate(VK_ESCAPE)) ESCAP BUTTON */ 
	  	{
		   game==false;
		   system("cls");
		   exit(game);
	   	}
	   
		if(dir==up)  //up movement of pacman
		{
		  if(map[y-1][x]==enemy1)
			{
				system("cls");
				break;
			}
		  if(map[y-1][x]==' ') 
			{
			  map[y][x]=' ';
			  y--;
			  map[y][x]=player;
			}
		  if(map[y-1][x]=='.')
			{
			  map[y][x]=' ';
			  y--;
			  fruit++;
			  map[y][x]=player;
			}
		}	
		
		if(dir==down)   //down movement of pacman
	  	{
		 if(map[y+1][x]==enemy1)
		 	{
		 		system("cls");
		 		break;
			}
		
		 if(map[y+1][x]==' ') //|| map[y+1][x]=='.')
		   {
			   map[y][x]=' ';
			   y++;
			   map[y][x]=player;
			}		
		 if(map[y+1][x]=='.')
			{
			   map[y][x]=' ';
			   y++;
			   fruit++;
			   map[y][x]=player;
			}
		}
		
		if(dir==left)   //left movement of pacman
	  	{
	  	 if(map[y][x-1]==enemy1)
			{
				system("cls");
		   		break;
			}
	
		 if(map[y][x-1]==' ')// || map[y][x-1]=='.')
		   {	
			   map[y][x]=' ';
			   x--;
			   map[y][x]=player;
			}
			
		 if(map[y][x-1]=='.')
			{	
			   map[y][x]=' ';
			   x--;
			   fruit++;
			   map[y][x]=player;
			}	
		}
		if(dir==right)   //right movement of pacman
		{
	  	 	if(map[y][x+1]==enemy1)
			{
				system("cls");
		   		break;
			}
			
			if(map[y][x+1]==' ')
			{
				map[y][x]=' ';
				x++;
				map[y][x]=player;
			}
			
			if(map[y][x+1]=='.')
			{
				map[y][x]=' ';
				x++;
				fruit++;
				map[y][x]=player;
		
			}
		}
	
		gotoxy(39,13);
	
		cout<<" x = "<<x<<" "<<" y = "<<y<<endl;
		
		gotoxy(39,14);
		
		cout<<" x1 = "<<x1<<" "<<" y1 = "<<y1<<endl;
		
		gotoxy(39,15);
		
		cout<<" x2 = "<<x2<<" "<<" y2 = "<<y2<<endl;
		
		gotoxy(39 ,16);
		
		cout<<" x3 = "<<x3<<" "<<" y3 = "<<y3<<endl;
		
		gotoxy(40,18);
		
		cout<<"Pacman game implemented in C++"<<endl;
		
		gotoxy(40,19);
		
		cout<<"NASRULLAH KHAN"<<endl;   //out of control of position of pacman
		
		
		if ( x1==1 && y1==1) dir1=rand()%4+1;    // creating ranmdom numbers for dir1
		
		if ( x1==10 && y1==1) dir1=rand()%4+1;  
		
		if ( x1==19 && y1==1) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==28 && y1==1) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==37 && y1==1) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==1 && y1==9) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==10 && y1==9) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==19 && y1==9) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==28 && y1==9) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==37 && y1==9) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==1 && y1==14) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==19 && y1==14) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==37 && y1==14) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==1 && y1==18) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==1 && y1==14) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==19 && y1==18) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if ( x1==37 && y1==18) dir1=rand()%4+1;
		
		if(x1==x2 && y1==y2)
		{
		    dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x1+1==x2 && y1==y2)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x1-1==x2 && y1==y2)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x1==x2 && y1+1==y2)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x1==x2 && y1-1==y2)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x1==x3 && y1==y3)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x1+1==x3 && y1==y3)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x1-1==x3 && y1==y3)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x1==x3 && y1+1==y3)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x1==x3 && y1-1==y3)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x2==x3 && y2==y3)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x2+1==x3 && y2==y3)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x2-1==x3 && y2==y3)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x2==x3 && y2+1==y3)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		if(x2==x3 && y2-1==y3)
		{
			dir1=rand()%4+1;dir2=rand()%4+5;dir3=rand()%4+9;
		}
		
		if(dir1==up1)    //up1 var dir1 var     first enemy created
		{
			if(map[y1-1][x1]==' ')
			{
				if(map[y1-1][x1]==player)
				 {
					system("cls");
					break;
				 }
				else
				{
					map[y1][x1]=' ';
					y1--;
					map[y1][x1]=enemy1;
				}
			}
			if(map[y1-1][x1]=='.')
			{
				if(map[y1-1][x1]==player)
				 {
					system("cls");
					break;
				 }
				else
				{
					map[y1][x1]='.';
					y1--;
					map[y1][x1]=enemy1;
				}
			}
		}   //end up1 var dir1 var
	
		if(dir1==down1)  //down1 var dir1 var
		{
			if(map[y1+1][x1]==' ')
			{
				if(map[y1+1][x1]==player)
				 {
					system("cls");
					break;
				 }
				 
				else
				{
					map[y1][x1]=' ';
					y1++;
					map[y1][x1]=enemy1;
				}
			}
			
			if(map[y1+1][x1]=='.')
			{
				if(map[y1+1][x1]==player)
				 {
					system("cls");
					break;
				 }
				else
				{
					map[y1][x1]='.';
					y1++;
					map[y1][x1]=enemy1;
				}
			}
		} //end down1 var dir1 var
		
		if(dir1==left1) //left1 var dir1 var
		{
			if(map[y1][x1-1]==' ')
			{
				if(map[y1][x1-1]==player)
				 {
					system("cls");
					break;
				 }
				 
				else
				{
					map[y1][x1]=' ';
					x1--;
					map[y1][x1]=enemy1;
				}
			}
		
			if(map[y1][x1-1]=='.')
			{
				if(map[y1][x1-1]==player)
				 {
					system("cls");
					break;
				 }
				else
				{
					map[y1][x1]='.';
					x1--;
					map[y1][x1]=enemy1;
			}
			
			}
		}  //end left1 var dir1 var
	
		if(dir1==right1) //right1 var dir1 var
		{
			if(map[y1][x1+1]==' ')
			{
				if(map[y1][x1+1]==player)
				 {
						 	
				 	system("cls");
					break;
				 }
				else
				{
					map[y1][x1]=' ';
					x1++;
					map[y1][x1]=enemy1;
				}
			}
			if(map[y1][x1+1]=='.')
			{
				if(map[y1][x1+1]==player)
				 {
						 	
				 	system("cls");
					break;
				 }
		        else
				{
					map[y1][x1]='.';
					x1++;
					map[y1][x1]=enemy1;
				}
			}
		}   //end left1 var dir1 var   //first enemy created to line 318 
	
		if ( x2==1 && y2==1) dir2=rand()%4+5;  //creating random number for dir2
		if ( x2==10 && y2==1) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==19 && y2==1) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==28 && y2==1) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==37 && y2==1) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==1 && y2==9) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==10 && y2==9) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==19 && y2==9) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==28 && y2==9) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==37 && y2==9) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==1 && y2==14) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==19 && y2==14) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==37 && y2==14) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==1 && y2==18) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==1 && y2==14) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==19 && y2==18) dir2=rand()%4+5;
		if ( x2==37 && y2==18) dir2=rand()%4+5;	
	
	
		if(dir2==up2)  //Up direction and enemy 2 creating from 338
		{
			if(map[y2-1][x2]==' ')
			{
				if(map[y2-1][x2]==player)
					 {
						system("cls");
						break;
					 }
				else
					{
						map[y2-1][x2]=' ';
						y2--;
						map[y2][x2]=enemy1;
					}
			}
			if(map[y2-1][x2]=='.')//|| map[y1-1][x1]==player)
			{
				if(map[y2-1][x2]==player)
				 {
					system("cls");
					break;
				 }
				else
				{
					map[y2][x2]='.';
					y2--;
					map[y2][x2]=enemy2;
				}
			}
		}
		
		if(dir2==down2) //Down
		{
			if(map[y1+1][x1]==' ')
			{
				if(map[y2+1][x2]==player)
				 {
					system("cls");
					break;
				 }
				else
				{
					map[y2+1][x2]=' ';
					y2++;
					map[y2][x2]=enemy2;
				}
			}
		
			if(map[y2+1][x2]=='.')
			{
				if(map[y2+1][x2]==player)
				 {
					system("cls");
					break;
				 }
				else
				{
					map[y2][x2]='.';
					y2++;
					map[y2][x2]=enemy2;
				}		
			}
		}
		
		if(dir2==left2)  //Left
		{	
			if(map[y2][x2-1]==' ')
			{	
				if(map[y2][x2-1]==player)
				{
					system("cls");
					break;
				}
				else
				{
					map[y2][x2-1]=' ';
					x2--;
					map[y2][x2]=enemy2;
				}
			}
			if(map[y2][x2-1]=='.')
			{
				if(map[y2][x2-1]==player)
				 {
					system("cls");
					break;
				 }
				else
				{
					map[y2][x2]='.';
					x2--;
					map[y2][x2]=enemy1;
				}
			}
		}
		 //Left end
		if(dir2==right2) //Right2
		{
			if(map[y2][x2+1]==' ')
				{
					if(map[y2][x2+1]==player)
					 	{
							system("cls");
							break;
						 }
					else
						{
							map[y2][x2+1]=' ';
							x2++;
							map[y2][x2]=enemy2;
						}
				}
			if(map[y2][x2+1]=='.')
				{
					if(map[y2][x1+1]==player)
					 	{
						 	system("cls");
							break;
					 	}
		        	else
						{
						map[y2][x2]='.';
						x2++;
						map[y2][x2]=enemy1;
						}
			}
		
		} //Right2 end   // Enemy2 created.
	
		gotoxy(40,3);
		cout<<"Fruit = "<<fruit<<endl;
		
		gotoxy(40,5);
		cout<<"PAC MAN"<<endl;
		
		gotoxy(40,6);
		cout<<"CONSOLE GAME"<<endl;
		
		gotoxy(40,7);
		cout<<"WITHOUT USING GRAPHICS";
		
		gotoxy(40,8);
		
		char p=120;char e1=64;char e2=42;
		
		cout<<"PLAYER= "<<p<<endl;
		
		gotoxy(40,9);
		cout<<"Enemy-1= "<<e1<<endl;
		
		gotoxy(40,10);
		cout<<"Enemy-2= "<<e2<<endl;
		
		if(fruit>100)
			break;
		
	}//while
		
		
	if(fruit>=100)
		{
			system("cls");
			gotoxy(50,12);
			cout<<"You WIN";
			Sleep(500);
			gotoxy(50,12);
			cout<<"          ";
			Sleep(500);
			gotoxy(50,12);
			cout<<"You WIN";
			Sleep(500);
			gotoxy(50,12);
			cout<<"          ";
			Sleep(500);
			gotoxy(50,12);
			cout<<"You WIN";
			Sleep(500);
			gotoxy(50,12);
			cout<<"         ";
			Sleep(500);
			gotoxy(50,12);
			cout<<"You WIN";
			Sleep(500);
	}
		
	if(fruit>=0 && fruit<100)
	{
		system("cls");
		gotoxy(50,12);
		cout<<"You Lose";
		Sleep(500);
		gotoxy(50,12);
		cout<<"          ";
		Sleep(500);
		gotoxy(50,12);
		cout<<"You Lose";
		Sleep(500);
		gotoxy(50,12);
		cout<<"          ";
		Sleep(500);
		gotoxy(50,12);
		cout<<"You Lose";
		Sleep(500);
		gotoxy(50,12);
		cout<<"         ";
		Sleep(500);
		gotoxy(50,12);
		cout<<"You Lose";
		Sleep(500);
	}
	gotoxy(50,14);
	
	cout<<"Game Over!"<<endl;
	
	cout<<"Press any key to end the program.";
	
	getch();		
	
	return 0;
}</strong>

Conclusion

This C++ implementation of a Pacman game demonstrates core game development concepts such as rendering, input handling, and collision detection. While simple, the project provides a solid foundation for building more complex games. Aspiring developers can use this code as a starting point, expanding and refining it to add features like dynamic levels, advanced AI, and graphical interfaces.

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