In this tutorial we will learn how to create a fully working space invaders using Visual Studio and C# programming language. There are many different ways to do this however we chose to create a simple game only using the windows component and no other libraries such as DirectX, XNA or MonoGame. This tutorial is aimed at the beginner programmers who are looking for a fun way to learn different aspects of programming in C# and test out the limits of Visual Studio.

Updated –New tutorial on how to create a space invaders game in WPF C# and Visual Studio

Learning Objectives –

1. Create a fully working space invaders game
2. Create multiple picture boxes and animate them using loops
3. Dynamically create bullets and collide with other picture boxes on the form
4. Dispose unused picture boxes from the form to reduce memory consumption
5. Assign Keys to the player to move left or right
6. Assign fire button and limit it to fire per press instead of holding down for infinite bullets
7. Create an outcome of winning and losing the game
8. An introduction to the complicated world of FOR EACH LOOP, we have 3 loops running actively in this game to help you understand the game mechanics better its all explained in detail.

Video tutorial for a space invaders style game in windows form and C#

Download the Space Invaders Images Here
Download Space Invaders Project on GitHub

Full Code for Reference

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;

namespace Space_Invaders_Style_Game_MOO_ICT
{
    public partial class Form1 : Form
    {

        bool goLeft, goRight;
        int playerSpeed = 12;
        int enemySpeed = 5;
        int score = 0;
        int enemyBulletTimer = 300;

        PictureBox[] sadInvadersArray;

        bool shooting;
        bool isGameOver;

        public Form1()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
            gameSetup();
        }

        private void mainGameTimerEvent(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            txtScore.Text = "Score: " + score;

            if(goLeft)
            {
                player.Left -= playerSpeed;
            }

            if(goRight)
            {
                player.Left += playerSpeed;
            }

            enemyBulletTimer -= 10;

            if(enemyBulletTimer < 1)
            {
                enemyBulletTimer = 300;
                makeBullet("sadBullet");
            }

            foreach(Control x in this.Controls)
            {

                if(x is PictureBox && (string)x.Tag == "sadInvaders")
                {
                    x.Left += enemySpeed;

                    if(x.Left > 730)
                    {
                        x.Top += 65;
                        x.Left = -80;
                    }


                    if(x.Bounds.IntersectsWith(player.Bounds))
                    {
                        gameOver("You've been invaded by the sad invaders, you are now sad!");
                    }

                    foreach(Control y in this.Controls)
                    {
                        if(y is PictureBox && (string)y.Tag == "bullet")
                        {
                            if (y.Bounds.IntersectsWith(x.Bounds))
                            {
                                this.Controls.Remove(x);
                                this.Controls.Remove(y);
                                score += 1;
                                shooting = false;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }

                if(x is PictureBox && (string)x.Tag == "bullet")
                {
                    x.Top -= 20;

                    if(x.Top < 15)
                    {
                        this.Controls.Remove(x);
                        shooting = false;
                    }
                }

                if(x is PictureBox && (string)x.Tag == "sadBullet")
                {

                    x.Top += 20;

                    if(x.Top > 620)
                    {
                        this.Controls.Remove(x);
                    }

                    if(x.Bounds.IntersectsWith(player.Bounds))
                    {
                        this.Controls.Remove(x);
                       // gameOver("You've been killed by the sad bullet. Now you are sad forever!");
                    }

                }
            }

            if(score > 8)
            {
                enemySpeed = 12;
            }

            if(score == sadInvadersArray.Length)
            {
                gameOver("Woohoo Happiness Found, Keep it safe!");
            }
        }

        private void keyisdown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
        {
            if(e.KeyCode == Keys.Left)
            {
                goLeft = true;
            }
            if(e.KeyCode == Keys.Right)
            {
                goRight = true;
            }
        }

        private void keyisup(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
        {
            if (e.KeyCode == Keys.Left)
            {
                goLeft = false;
            }
            if (e.KeyCode == Keys.Right)
            {
                goRight = false;
            }
            if(e.KeyCode == Keys.Space && shooting == false)
            {
                shooting = true;
                makeBullet("bullet");
            }
            if(e.KeyCode == Keys.Enter && isGameOver == true)
            {
                removeAll();
                gameSetup();
            }
        }


        private void makeInvaders()
        {

            sadInvadersArray = new PictureBox[50];

            int left = 0;

            for(int i = 0; i < sadInvadersArray.Length; i++)
            {
                sadInvadersArray[i] = new PictureBox();
                sadInvadersArray[i].Size = new Size(60, 50);
                sadInvadersArray[i].Image = Properties.Resources.sadFace;
                sadInvadersArray[i].Top = 5;
                sadInvadersArray[i].Tag = "sadInvaders";
                sadInvadersArray[i].Left = left;
                sadInvadersArray[i].SizeMode = PictureBoxSizeMode.StretchImage;
                this.Controls.Add(sadInvadersArray[i]);
                left = left - 80;

            }


        }

        private void gameSetup()
        {
            txtScore.Text = "Score: 0";
            score = 0;
            isGameOver = false;

            enemyBulletTimer = 300;
            enemySpeed = 5;
            shooting = false;

            makeInvaders();
            gameTimer.Start();
        }

        private void gameOver(string message)
        {
            isGameOver = true;
            gameTimer.Stop();
            txtScore.Text = "Score: " + score + " " + message;
        }

        private void removeAll()
        {

            foreach(PictureBox i in sadInvadersArray)
            {
                this.Controls.Remove(i);
            }


            foreach(Control x in this.Controls)
            {
                if(x is PictureBox)
                {
                    if((string)x.Tag == "bullet" || (string)x.Tag == "sadBullet")
                    {
                        this.Controls.Remove(x);
                    }
                }
            }

        }

        private void makeBullet(string bulletTag)
        {
            PictureBox bullet = new PictureBox();
            bullet.Image = Properties.Resources.bullet;
            bullet.Size = new Size(5, 20);
            bullet.Tag = bulletTag;
            bullet.Left = player.Left + player.Width / 2;

            if ((string)bullet.Tag == "bullet")
            {
                bullet.Top = player.Top - 20;
            }
            else if ((string)bullet.Tag == "sadBullet")
            {
                bullet.Top = -100;
            }

            this.Controls.Add(bullet);
            bullet.BringToFront();

        }

    }
}