Mission Python: Code a Space Adventure Game

Download the Mission Python PDF sampler

Take a look at Mission Python with this free PDF sampler. It includes the Introduction which shows you how to install the required software and provides instructions for playing the space adventure game, called Escape. It also includes Chapter 1, so you can get your first taste of programming using Python and Pygame Zero, creating a simple spacewalk simulator.

See my blog post: Three reasons to download the free PDF sampler of Mission Python

Download the code from Mission Python and play the game

You can download all the code, graphics and sound effects for Mission Python here.

If you'd like to play the game, simply read the Mission Python sample PDF for instructions on setting it up and playing it.

Additional resources and bonus content

Find out more about Mission Python, including ideas for how you can extend and customise the Escape game code.

• Mission Python: Customising the space station map - including a map template to download
• Mission Python: Download the space station map - reveals the room design for each room in the game, and helps you play or customise the game
• Mission Python: Adding real sounds from Mars - discover how to add real sounds from the surface of Mars to the game
• Adding hidden objects to the Escape game from Mission Python for an Easter egg hunt
• Sound effects and music for your games - download Press Play, my library of sounds you can add to your games
• Blog post: Mission Python is out now!
• Blog post: Mission Python: First screenshots from my new Python coding book
• Pygame Zero: Game coding made easy (PDF) - an article I wrote for The MagPi magazine, about Pygame Zero when it launched

Frequently asked questions

How can I install Pygame Zero?

On Windows and macOS, I now recommend you use the Mu Python editor. It comes with Pygame Zero installed already. When you run Mu, click Mode to check it's on Pygame Zero mode. Enter your program in the big window, and then click the Play button to run it.

On a Raspberry Pi, use Thonny, which is installed as one of the recommended applications in Raspberry Pi OS. It also gives you access to Pygame Zero without any further installation required.

If you want to install Pygame Zero to use with another editor, see the Pygame Zero documentation here.

Note that if you use a different editor to IDLE, the code colouring will be different.

Why does the Mission Python book recommend an old version of Python?

At the time the book was written, Python 3.6 was the latest version on which Pygame Zero worked. Now, I recommend you use a more recent version through Mu or Thonny, as explained above.

Does the Mission Python game work on a Mac?

The book doesn't cover the Mac because I don't have one, and we couldn't test it before release. I was able to thoroughly test the entire project on Windows and Raspberry Pi. However, readers have since told me it works fine on a Mac. The project should work anywhere Pygame Zero runs. There is more information on compatibility here.

How can I be sure the Mission Python game will work on my computer?

You can download the sample chapter and the full game code to test it on your computer before buying the book.

Why isn't the code in Mission Python working for me?

The book has been thoroughly tested. I tested every listing on both Windows and Raspberry Pi, building it from the book. The technical editor also tested all the listings. If a program isn't working for you, there is most likely a problem with your version of the code.

I suggest the following steps:

• See whether my version of the listing (in the downloads) works for you. You need to copy it out of the listings folder and into its parent folder, so that it sits alongside the images folder where the escape.py program usually is. If my version works, then there's a difference between my version of the code and yours. Pay particular attention to indentation. You might find it useful to refer to the full game listing at the back of the book to double-check the level of indentation. Tip: You can use the Compare feature in Microsoft Word to compare your code with mine and have Word mark up the differences.
• If my version doesn't work either for you, check that Pygame Zero is correctly installed. I recommend you use Mu or Thonny (see the first answer above) as the simplest way to do this.
• If you're struggling, feel free to email me.

Where can I find errata and updates?

The book went through extensive quality control, but I've been alerted to a couple of errors that have slipped in despite our best efforts, and the software on the Raspberry Pi has been updated since publication. (The code errors didn't stop the game working). I'm maintaining a blog post for errata and updates here. We are incorporating these updates and corrections into the ebook and reprints of the paper book. If you bought your copy of the book recently, it may have been updated with these changes already.