▷ Hangman game in Visual Basic 6.0

In this updated tutorial, you will learn how to create the classic game of hangman using Visual Basic 6.0. We will guide you step by step through the design and implementation process of the game, from the graphical interface to the logic of word control. We will use basic programming concepts such as conditionals, string handling, and events to provide an interactive experience. Ideal for beginners in Visual Basic 6.0.

Form Elements

The form contains the following elements organized in "frames":

1. Input Frame: Includes a TextBox and a "Play" button. Here you will enter the word that must be between 4 and 13 characters.
2. Info Frame: Has a Label to display messages such as errors or the game status. There is also a "Restart" button, which appears when the game ends.
3. Errors Frame: Shows the parts of the hangman's figure when you enter incorrect letters.
4. Word Frame: Here a matrix of Labels (index from 0 to 13) is displayed where the correct letters are revealed.

Program Operation

When Loading the Form

When the form is loaded, the message "Enter a word and press Play" is displayed in the Label of gameInfo:

Private Sub Form_Load()
    gameInfo.Caption = "Enter a word and press Play"
End Sub

When Pressing the "Play" Button

When you enter a word and press the "Play" button, the labels of the letter container are cleared, the word is validated, and the game starts:

Private Sub play_Click()
    
    For i = 0 To 13
        letterContainer(i).Text = ""
    Next i
    
    word = wordTextBox.Text
    wordLength = Len(word)
    
    If (word = "") Then
        gameInfo.Caption = "Error: Please enter a word."
    ElseIf (wordLength < 4) Then
        gameInfo.Caption = "Error: Word too short"
    ElseIf wordLength > 13 Then
        gameInfo.Caption = "Error: You exceeded the allowed number of letters"
        wordLength = 0
    Else
        wordInputFrame.Visible = False
        wordViewFrame.Visible = True
        gameInfo.Caption = "Start the game!"
        gameTimer.Enabled = True
        
        For i = 0 To wordLength - 1
            letterContainer(i).Visible = True
        Next i
    End If
End Sub

Game Timer

The timer controls the game interactions. Every time you enter a letter, it checks if it is in the word:

Private Sub gameTimer_Timer()
    
    letterInput = InputBox("Enter a letter.", "Input", "", 0, 0)
    
    If letterInput <> "" Then
        For i = 1 To wordLength
            
            letterInWord = Mid(word, i, 1)
            
            If UCase(letterInput) = UCase(letterInWord) Then
                isLetterInWord = True
                gameInfo.Caption = "Correct letter: " & letterInput
                
                Select Case i
                    Case i
                        letterContainer(i - 1).Text = UCase(letterInput)
                End Select
            Else
                isLetterInWord = False
            End If
            
        Next
        
        If isLetterInWord = False Then
            errors = errors + 1
            gameInfo.Caption = "Incorrect letter: " & letterInput
            Select Case errors
                Case 1
                    rope.Visible = True
                    head.Visible = True
                Case 2
                    chest.Visible = True
                Case 3
                    leftArm.Visible = True
                Case 4
                    rightArm.Visible = True
                Case 5
                    leftLeg.Visible = True
                Case 6
                    rightLeg.Visible = True
            End Select
        End If
        
    Else
        gameInfo.Caption = "Error: Enter a letter"
    End If
    
    successes = 0
    
    For i = 0 To wordLength - 1
        If letterContainer(i) <> "" Then
            successes = successes + 1
        End If
    Next
    
    If successes = wordLength Then
        gameTimer.Enabled = False
        MsgBox "Congratulations, you won!"
        gameInfo.Caption = "Winner!!"
        word = ""
        playAgain.Visible = True
    End If
    
    If errors = 6 Then
        gameTimer.Enabled = False
        MsgBox "You lost"
        gameInfo.Caption = "The word was: " & word
        word = ""
        playAgain.Visible = True
    End If
    
End Sub

Function to Validate Letter Input

The function verifyKey allows only letters to be entered in the TextBox:

Function verifyKey(Tecla_Presionada)
    
    Dim allowedKeys As String
    allowedKeys = "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNÑOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnñopqrstuvwxyz" & Chr(vbKeyBack)
    
    If InStr(1, allowedKeys, Chr(Tecla_Presionada)) Then
        verifyKey = Tecla_Presionada
    Else
        verifyKey = 0
    End If
    
End Function

Restart the Game

Pressing the "Play Again" button resets the game state:

Private Sub playAgain_Click()
    
    wordTextBox.Text = ""
    wordInputFrame.Visible = True
    playAgain.Visible = False
    gameInfo.Caption = "Enter a word and press Play"
    errors = 0
    wordViewFrame.Visible = False
    rope.Visible = False
    head.Visible = False
    chest.Visible = False
    leftArm.Visible = False
    rightArm.Visible = False
    leftLeg.Visible = False
    rightLeg.Visible = False
    
End Sub