Getting Started with Godot

2. Installing Godot

To get started, you’ll need to download and install Godot. Follow these simple steps:

1. Go to the Godot download page.
2. Download the latest stable version of Godot for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux).
3. Once downloaded, extract the zip file and run the `Godot.exe` file (on Windows) or the appropriate executable for your OS.

Godot is portable, so no installation is necessary—just open the executable and you’re ready to start building games!

3. Creating Your First Project

When you first launch Godot, you’ll see the project manager. Let’s create your first project!

1. Click the New Project button.
2. Name your project (e.g., "MyFirstGame") and choose a folder to save it in.
3. Select whether your project will be 2D or 3D. For this tutorial, choose 2D.
4. Click Create & Edit to open your new project in the Godot editor.

4. Understanding the Godot Interface

The Godot editor might seem overwhelming at first, but here’s a breakdown of the main components:

• Scene Tab: This is where you’ll organize your game’s scenes and nodes.
• Inspector: The inspector displays properties for the selected node, allowing you to edit various settings like position, size, and behavior.
• Viewport: The main area where you’ll visually design your game world by placing and manipulating nodes.
• FileSystem: This is where all your project files and resources are managed.

Feel free to explore the interface and familiarize yourself with how it works!

5. Understanding Nodes and Scenes

In Godot, everything in your game is organized into nodes. Nodes are the building blocks of your game and can represent anything from a sprite, a sound effect, or even complex gameplay elements.

Nodes are grouped together to form a scene. Think of a scene as a collection of nodes that work together to create a part of your game (for example, a level, a character, or a menu).

Here’s how you can create a new node and scene:

1. Click on the Scene menu and select New Scene.
2. In the Scene tab, click the + button to add a new node.
3. Search for 2D Node and add it to your scene. This will be the root node of your scene.
4. Save your scene with a relevant name (e.g., "MainScene").

6. Adding a Sprite

Let’s add a sprite to your scene to represent your character or object:

1. Click the + button again and add a Sprite2D node as a child of the root node.
2. In the Inspector, under the Texture property, click the file icon and select an image file to use as your sprite (you can use any image or download one from the web).
3. Once added, you’ll see your sprite in the viewport. You can drag it around to position it in your scene.

Now you have a simple scene with a sprite! Let’s make it do something.

7. Writing Your First Script

To make your sprite move or interact with the player, you’ll need to write some code. In Godot, scripts are written in GDScript. Let’s add a simple script:

1. Select the Sprite2D node in the Scene tab.
2. Click the Attach Script button in the top toolbar.
3. In the dialog that appears, keep the defaults and click Create.
4. The script editor will open, and you’ll see a new script attached to your sprite.

Now, add this code to make the sprite move left and right:

extends Sprite2D

func _process(delta):
    if Input.is_action_pressed("ui_left"):
        position.x -= 200 * delta
    elif Input.is_action_pressed("ui_right"):