Thanks for the help I'll have to play around with your ideas
little background of what I'm doing I got to teach and create an animation and video game design class at my high school since the guy that normally teaches the art/tech stuff didn't have room in his schedule. I start by having the students make a top down shooter which they have a lot of success with. The platform jumpers come out well but there are more glitches I have to figure out. I have a ceramics degree so the computer stuff is out of my area so thanks for you feedback.