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JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator screenshot 1
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Games Like JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator

Jan 18, 2025·Prof. Scherer·
SimulationStrategyIndie
78%Mostly Positive323 reviewsHot
$17.99at Steam · USD reference

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Use real Python code to automate machines, robots, drones and more: Program self-driving vehicles; crack passwords; apply machine learning; automate logistics; use image processing to guide missiles. Gain real coding skills and solve exciting bite-sized programming challenges.

About JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator

JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator is an immersive 3D programming puzzle game about automating and controlling realistic machines, robots, drones and more using real Python code. Build actual coding skills while playing, solve exciting bite-sized programming challenges and progress to unlock new programming features and improved machinery. Prior programming knowledge recommended.

Automate logistics to quickly transport items    Stabilize robots with control feedback (PIDs)

JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator video 1JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator video 2

Write navigation code for cars           Crack passwords with brute-force

JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator video 3JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator video 4

Solve classical algorithms and data-structures  Accurately control sniper rifles

JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator video 5JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator video 6

Use image processing to count coins              Apply computer vision to guide missiles

JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator video 7JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator video 8

Get it now and dive into your programming adventure!

A Fair Warning

JOY OF PROGRAMMING is not a casual game. In fact, it is one of the most difficult games on Steam. It offers the real programming experience: Lots of thinking, hard work, gathering information, debugging and some frustrations. But you will also learn new skills, become a better developer, and most of all enjoy that sweet sensation of finally cracking a hard problem.

Features

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Tutorial levels to get you started with the programming concepts in JOY OF PROGRAMMING
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Create your own puzzles with the included level-editor
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Find collectible factsheets with interesting computer-science tidbits
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Earn stars by completing levels and use them to unlock new programming features
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Work towards achieving many different certificates for completing all levels in one category
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Real programming: No pseudo code, no imaginary language. Instead, fully functional python code with your favourite packages like numpy, pandas, scipy, pillow, sklearn and more. Some basic prior programming knowledge (in Python or otherwise) and a strong interested in programming is recommended.
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In-game IDE: A codemirror based in-game Python IDE offers syntax highlighting, auto-completion, docstring tooltips, debugging, auto-indentation, code-folding, copy/paste and undo/redo. Advanced users can also opt to use external IDEs like VSCode or PyCharm instead.
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Realistic challenges: From robotics to abstract algorithms and creative coding - the full breadth and depth of computer-science awaits.
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Open puzzle design: Each level has many different valid solutions.
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Clear goals: Each level has one mandatory goal and up to three optional goals.
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Immediate feedback: Never wonder whether your code is working. Get immediate, incremental feedback on each good (or bad) step towards a working solution.
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Performance metrics: Compare your best solution anonymously with others with respect to speed, memory usage and code length.
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No hard locks: Never get stuck on a single level, there are always several open challenges available.
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Optionally submit your solution and your code to the leaderboards and share it with the world.

Designed By A Computer Science Professor

The game is developed primarily by a single developer, who also happens to be a computer science professor. An accompanying Youtube series by the developer provides example solutions for several of the levels and walks through them step-by-step.

Level Editor

An innovative Python based level editor allows creating and scripting entirely new levels with exciting new challenges. Optionally, these new levels can also be shared with the community via the game's Workshop.

Happy Coding and get JOY OF PROGRAMMING now!

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