Notes

Jackie O'Kelly and J. Paul Gibson

A programming game is a videogame that utilizes elements of computer programming. It allows the player to direct autonomous units within the game to obey commands in specific programming languages for domains. This language is often illustrated visually to simplify the programming metaphor. Programming games broadly can be classified into two categories that are single-player games in which the programming elements make part or the whole of a puzzle, and multiplayer games in which the player's program is compared against other players with their own programs.



1 As puzzle games 2 as competitive games 3 See also 4 References and 6 External Links



As puzzle games[edit]



System 15000 and Hacker were two of the first games of this genre. They were released in 1984 and 1985, respectively.



Programming games can be utilized in puzzle games to challenge the player to reach an exact result once the program has started. An example of such a game is SpaceChem where the player must use its visual language to manipulate two waldos as to disassemble and reassemble chemical molecules. These games allow players to test and debug their programs for as many times as they're required until they find an answer that works. Many of these games push players to find the most efficient program, measured by the number timesteps required or the number of commands required. Other games that are similar to Human Resource Machine,[1] Infinifactory, and TIS-100. Zachtronics is a company that develops video games famous for its programming-based puzzle games. [2]



Other games incorporate programming elements as a part of puzzles in the larger game. For example Hack 'n'slash include a metaphor of being able to access the internal programs and variables of objects in the game world and pause the rest of the game as the player engages this programming interface, and alter the program of the object as to progress further or altering the state of the object from being indestructible to destructible. Other games that use this type of programming strategy include Transistor or otherwise Heart.Break(), Glitchspace, and Pony Island. [3]



Another method used in graphic games that incorporate programming elements is to provide the player with an interface on the command line to issue orders via an appropriate domain-specific language that can direct objects within the game, allowing players to issue commands as the situation changes , rather than creating an already-written program. Quadrilateral Cowboy, Duskers and other games let the player command small robot creatures through the code language. This lets them achieve a goal. [3] Hackmud presents the player with an simulated mainframe interface which they can issue commands in order to progress forward. [4]



As competitive games[editAs competitive games[edit



Many programming games involve controlling entities such as tanks, robots, or bacteria that try to destroy each other. These games are environments of digital organisms, related to artificial life simulations. Players are given tools to develop and test their programs using the game's specific language prior to sending the program to a central server. The server then executes the program against others and reports the results to the player, who can make adjustments or modifications to the program. There are many tournaments and leagues where players are able to compete against one another in programming games. The scripts are optimized to work with specific strategies. Similar strategies are used in traditional games. The World Computer Chess Championship is comprised of games against programs created to play chess with abstract strategy.
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The competitive programming game has also made its way into various board games like RoboRally and Robot Turtles. Typically, programs are converted into an already-designed deck of cards that can be played in sequence to execute the code. [5]



Researchers presented RoboCode as a "problem-based learning" substrate to teach programming. [6]



Related areas[editRelated areas[edit



Open world games that feature the ability to build environments using an array of building blocks are often utilized by more advanced players to build logic circuits as well as more advanced programs based on the basic blocks. Minecraft is a prime example and, even though the game offers a limited collection of blocks that mimic electric circuits and switches players have been able build basic functional computers within the virtual world, and at least one modification aims to teach children how to program the virtual computer using a basic language. [7]



Codecademy is one of many websites that teach real-world programming languages by gamifying. Gamification makes use of video games to motivate users. [8]



Video games portal Programming games category Digital organism simulators Visual programming language Zachtronics


References[edit]



^ Sayer, Matt (October 3, 2016). "Can Videogames Teach You Programming?". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016. A b Caldwell, Brendan (November 9, 2015). "The 10 most enjoyable Hacking Coding, Coding, and Computing Games" Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved October 3, 2016. ^ Caldwell, Brendan (September 27, 2016). "Wot I'm thinking: Hackmud" Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved October 3, 2016. ^ Metz, Cade (September 24, 2014). "The 75-Year-Old Saga Behind the Game that teaches children to code". Wired. Retrieved October 3, 2016. ^ O'Kelly, Jackie, and J. Paul Gibson. "RoboCode & problem-based learning: A non-prescriptive method of teaching programming." ACM SIGCSE Bulletin 38. 3 (2006): 217-221. ^ FInley, Klint (August 18 19th, 2014). "New Minecraft Mod Teach You Code as You Play". Wired. Retrieved on October 3, 2016, Retrieved October 3, 2016. "Codecademy makes learning a game of learning Javascript". Wired. Retrieved on October 3, 2016.


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