The classic PACMAN Game in C++ is a favorite among gamers and developers. In this blog, we will explore a console-based implementation of a Pacman game in C++ and briefly break down the code mechanics. This implementation provides an excellent opportunity for developers to learn about game loops, collision detection, and rendering in a console environment. Let’s dive in!
Note: The Pacman Game Source Code is attached below
What is Pacman Game?
The game simulates a Pacman environment where a player (Pacman) navigates a maze, collects fruits (dots), and avoids enemies. The maze is represented as a grid, and the game dynamically updates based on player inputs and enemy movements. The game ends when the player either collides with an enemy or quits manually.
Key Components of the Code
- Game Map Representation
- The maze is created using a 2D character array, with each cell representing a wall, path, fruit, or space.Symbols used:
#: Walls (represented visually as solid blocks)..: Fruits (collectible items).: Open paths.x: Player (Pacman).E: Enemies.
########## #........# #.######.# #........# ########## - The maze is created using a 2D character array, with each cell representing a wall, path, fruit, or space.Symbols used:
- Game Loop
- The game runs in a continuous loop until a collision occurs or the user presses the escape key.
- Each iteration of the loop updates the positions of the player and enemies, checks for collisions, and redraws the maze.
- Player Movement
- The player uses arrow keys to move up, down, left, or right.
- Movement is restricted to open paths, ensuring the player cannot pass through walls.
- Enemy Movement
- Enemies move randomly in one of four directions.
- Collision with walls redirects the enemy’s movement in a valid direction.
- Collision Detection
- Collision occurs if the player’s position overlaps with an enemy’s position.
- The game ends immediately upon collision.
- Rendering and Console Manipulation
- The console is updated dynamically using functions like
gotoxyto position the cursor. - Windows-specific libraries (
windows.h) are used to handle cursor movement and key detection.
- The console is updated dynamically using functions like
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).
Challenges Faced
Building a console-based game has unique challenges:
- Limited Graphics:
- Rendering in a console environment is constrained compared to graphical frameworks.
- Input Handling:
- Detecting key presses and managing input without blocking the game loop requires careful handling.
- Performance:
- Frequent updates to the console can slow down performance if not optimized.
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
You can directly copy and paste this code into the DEV C++ Compiler.
<strong>#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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