Pyskool

Pyskool is a free video game implemented in Python and PyGame, designed from the offset as a remake of the classic Back to Skool game, as well as the old-school Skool Daze game, which were developed for the ZX Spectrum computer.

The software aims to be easily customizable by allowing users to edit a plain text configuration file. It started in June 2008 as a rewrite of the classic ZX Spectrum games Skool Daze and Back to Skool in the Python programming language, using the famous PyGame library.

The project was develop mostly out of frustration because the aforementioned games were not easy to modify. Pyskool’s goal is to allow players to have some control over how the characters behave and how the game works.

Getting started with Pyskool

To install and use the Pyskool game on your GNU/Linux system, you must first download the latest version from Softoware or via its official website (see link at the end of the article), save the package somewhere on your computer.

Depending on what package you’ve downloaded (DEB installer for Ubuntu and Debian or RPM installer for Fedora and Red Hat or the universal TAR/ZIP archives), you can install the program through your package manager or just unpack the archive and use it from the command-line.

Under the hood and supported operating systems

As mentioned, Pyskool is written entirely in the Python programming language and uses the PyGame library. While it has been engineered specifically for GNU/Linux systems, it is a portable application that can also be used on Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows operating systems if the aforementioned tools are installed. Both 32-bit and 64-bit computer architectures are supported by Pyskool.

What is new in this release:

• Replaced all the sound files with high-quality (44.1kHz) versions
• Added hitting sound effects to Skool Daze

What is new in version 0.5.4:

• Fixed the bug that causes a crash when Eric tries to get on the bike.

What is new in version 0.5.3:

• Fixed the bug that prevented a saved game from loading when using GraphicsMode 0 (hi-res colour).

What is new in version 0.5.2:

• Added a jumping sound effect to Skool Daze
• Fixed a graphic glitch in the girls' shoes

What is new in version 0.5.1:

• This release fixes the bug that causes a crash when the teacher has returned to the blackboard during a non-question-and-answer lesson after fetching the truant Eric.

What is new in version 0.5:

• The main new feature is an in-game menu.

What is new in version 0.4:

• Added the ability to save and load games
• The score box is drawn using labels defined in the [MessageConfig] section
• Added lesson box background images
• Added message box images (now the message boxes in Skool Daze mode look like those used in the original game)

What is new in version 0.2.3:

• Besides a few minor bugfixes, 0.2.3 contains a new example ini file: ezad_looks.ini. To try it out, double-click ezad_looks.py or run it from the command line thus:
• ./ezad_looks.py -c
• Once you're over the initial disorientation, let me know if you spot anything wrong with it. For your playtesting convenience, here are the cheat keys (enabled by that ‘-c' option) for Skool Daze mode:
• * Tab - proceed to the next lesson
• * 1 - flash all but one shield
• * 2 - unflash all but one shield
• * 3 - prevent teachers from giving lines
• * 4 - add a random number to the lines total
• * 5 - reset the lines total to zero
• * 6 - reveal the safe combination and the year of CREAK's birth
• Back to Skool mode could still do with some playtesting too, if you are so inclined. The cheat keys for Back to Skool were listed in an earlier post.

What is new in version 0.2.2:

• Eric is paralysed and expelled after jumping out of the top-floor window
• Albert alerts Mr Wacker if he spots Eric trying to escape
• Mr Wacker shadows Eric after being alerted by Albert
• Mr Withit does assembly duty
• Miss Take chases Eric out of the girls' skool if she spots him there when it's not playtime

Requirements:

• Python
• pygame