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Make HTML 5 Games — Isometric Board Game Tutorial

Dr Abstract
Level Up Coding
Published in
18 min readApr 14, 2024

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In this tutorial and matching video tutorial, we will go through the steps to code an isometric board game using the HTML 5 Canvas and JavaScript.

An isometric board is diamond shaped with 8 by 8 grid of squares showing the player at top and a four lanterns amongst trees. The game is to reveal orbs behind the lanterns in the order provided at the bottom. A game timer is at the top right.
An HTML 5 Isometric Board Game to reveal colored orbs in order

The game we will be making is called Orbs of Order where the player can move with mouse or keys to four lanterns. Once at a lantern, the player can press to reveal a colored orb. The player must reveal the orbs in the color order shown at the bottom right. Path finding (A*) is used to keep the player on the path which is the medium grey color in the picture above.

Preparation

Anyone should be able to follow the steps and make the game, however there are many skills and techniques used to make this type of game on your own. Here is ◎ Your Guide To Coding Creativity on the Canvas which introduces this magical world.

All of this is free and with very little set-up!

Simple Isometric Board Example in ZIM Editor

We will make the game with the ZIM JavaScript Canvas Framework that has a Game module with a Board() class to make isometric board games. ZIM has an online editor and both a simple isometric example

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Written by Dr Abstract

Inventor, Founder of ZIM JavaScript Canvas Framework and Nodism, Professor of Interactive Media at Sheridan, Canadian New Media Awards Programmer and Educator

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