Valentina Gutierrez

Logic & Programming

Tony Kulla
June 10, 2015
Logic & Programming - EoC Reflection

Logic and Programming is a class in which students learn the basics of computer
programming and game creation. First, we worked on UCB Logo, also known as Berkeley
Logo--a graphics language. The main screen on this program is like a coordinate plane that can
be drawn on with a little icon named the turtle. The turtle can be moved around with
commands that are typed in such as FD and then a number, like 100, which would move the
turtle forward 100 pixels. There are also more complicated commands such as repeats and
forloops. UCB Logo was used to to create pictures and animations. Toward the end of the
semester, we moved onto GameSalad which was much easier because it works on a simple drag
and drop interface in which each character created follows rules that it must follow. GameSalad
can be used to create games that are later put on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Even
though I was working on a completely new platform, a few of the ideas that I learned in Logo I
was able to translate to GameSalad. For example, I created a guessing game that used a random
feature, much like the random feature that I used in Logo in order to choose the colors that a
pinwheel displayed. For my final project, with a partner I created a unique game called Falling
Turtle, that on an iPad, is played using your finger.
Using GameSalad, I also created a Tic-Tac-Toe game. The creation of this game required
layers and layers of commands on each character. After having a basic idea of how to create the
game, I spent an entire night working on it. Upon returning to school, however, I learned how

much I truly had left. Although it took time and effort, I really enjoyed working on Tic-Tac-Toe
and the final product. The project taught me how much work goes into games and animations
that seem so simple to the player. Moreover, it helped me prove to myself that I can design a
playable game. This realization contributed to my preference for GameSalad over Logo.
GameSalad was much simpler to use because of the simple dragging and dropping of rules and
actions.
Although GameSalad was relatively simple to use, using it to work with a developmental
team over multiple months to create Falling Turtle was challenging for various reasons. For one,
since there were times when we went days without meeting, we would forget our ideas. Working
with a partner was also difficult due to our different design ideas. After some compromise, we
finished the game, but I dont think some aspects, such as the background, font, and background
music blended well together.
Regardless of the challenges I faced, I enjoyed the class. If I could go back in time, Id
probably try to better understand some of the mathematical concepts behind GameSalad. Had it
not been for Jos and Tony, I probably would not have figured out how to work through some of
the bugs that required equations. Either way, what I learned in Logic and Programming gives me
a better appreciation for the work that game designers do. With my new knowledge, Ive also
found that I have an interest in technology and design, which could potentially influence some of
the universities and colleges I look into my senior year.