Final answer:
The main idea behind making a platformer scroll is to allow the player to navigate through large, dynamic game worlds without screen constraints, creating an immersive and continuous gameplay experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main idea behind making a platformer scroll is to ensure that the player's character can move through an expansive virtual world without the constraints of a static screen. In games, especially platformers, scrolling allows the player to move the character across different environments, exploring new areas while the screen follows their movement. This creates a seamless and engaging gameplay experience as players navigate obstacles and challenges, such as in the PhET Explorations: Maze Game where you can control a ball's position, velocity, and acceleration in the "Arena of Pain".
By using the green arrow to move the ball, the player can navigate through the maze. Adding more walls increases the difficulty and requires the player to employ strategy and skill to reach the goal as fast as possible. The concept of scrolling in platformers is fundamental for creating dynamic, expansive game worlds and a compelling game experience where progression is closely tied with exploration and overcoming environmental challenges.