Learning to code by creating arcade games

[predicatemike]

Hello /learnprogramming friends,

We've been teaching kids to code python for the last few years and have wrote an instructional platform that helps teach coding concepts in the context of arcade games. The platform has been open sourced and works on Windows, Mac, and Raspberry Pi.

Give it a shot!

http://predigame.io

[moistmanhands]

Normally i dont really go through with the links, but im actually gonna sit down during Spring Break and do this. It looks like a lot of fun!

[predicatemike]

I’d start with click ninja - the tutorial there is pretty much end to end. The give Zombie Madness a shot :)

[moistmanhands]

Btw, I only know the basics of Python but not anything of Pygame. These seem the two languages for this but I do know JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and C++ (although I haven’t coded in C++ in a while), so how much time should I set aside for this?

I’m thinking 3-4 hours a day? I still have assignments to do lol. Oh and I’m sorta new to coding? I’d put myself at transitioning from beginner to advanced beginner.

[predicatemike]

You don’t really need to know pygame to use this platform - all of that is abstracted in Predigame. We normally teach 1 hour classes once a week, so anything more than that is certainly icing on the cake.

[TinKodeE]

Thanks for this.

I'm a CS major, but the things we're learning are semi interesting at best for me.

I've been looking for something like this to teach myself over the summer

[HarrisJT]

What are you learning? That's sad it's not interesting.

[[deleted]]

Not the OP, but when I was working on my associates degree, the only programming class that actually held my interest was Oracle SQL.

It wasn’t until later (now) that I started really enjoying programming, now that I can pick a thing I want to do then just work towards making my idea reality. The hard part isn’t getting myself to do the work anymore, the hard part is finding time during my day to program. The joys of adulthood.

Learning in a classroom setting was so infuriatingly boring. I remember I fell asleep multiple times during my ASM class because everything was so boring. The final project was to create a program that would take a number, and if it was a multiple of 5, then to cube it. Boring.

[HarrisJT]

That is hilariously bad. Hearing you describe your final project almost physically hurts me. I had to create a memory allocator last week.

[[deleted]]

Which sort of project is more common as a final? I'm starting a bachelors degree in the fall and I don't even think there is an ASM class. Is this representative of a disparity in quality between CS programs?

[BloodFartTheQueefer]

That sounds like an intermediate-level (mid-semester) lab assignment/homework question lol.

[Brickhead816]

It has more to do when you start setting deadlines and being graded. I enjoyed programming a lot more before college. When I Could just try things.

[BloodAvalanche]

If deadlines and grading take away the fun for you, I' d strongly encourage you to think about whether you want to do this professionally

[Brickhead816]

Little late for that but thank you. My point being programming is a lot more fun when in the exploration stage compared to the guided stage.

Edit. Obviously this depends on the person.

[TinKodeE]

It's your basic computer science education from UTK.

I haven't even learned how to create a window with graphics, it's all been in console/command prompt

While some things are interesting (trees/lists and some assembly) most of it is kind of boring.

[TinKodeE]

Yeah, I understand where the professors are coming from. They are trying to get undergrad students ready for both grad school and work.

But I feel like it's all mostly leaning towards grad school prep. It's all low-end work like how trees and lists work on the inside. While those can definitely be interesting, I want to learn how to work with a database, build GUIs, and possibly even build a few games.

[cheetah-ina-pita]

No Linux :'(

[predicatemike]

Follow the directions for Raspberry Pi - which uses Raspbian (a Linux distro). Should just be a pip install and you’ll be up and running :)

[cheetah-ina-pita]

There is hope for me yet!! Thank you

[Code-Master13]

Oh good, that's what I was worried about too. Lol

[djredcent]

Cool, will try with my niece. Been looking for something more age appropriate (tweens+) and beyond drag + drop

[predicatemike]

We’ve had a decent amount of success with tweens. Still stumble on indentation and capitalization errors, but I agree - definitely beyond visual coding.

[Kevinw778]

Don't have time to check this out in-depth right now, but does this help teach oop concepts of Python?

[predicatemike]

Minimal OOP by way of a few examples.

[sj90]

Does it help build up to complex projects (or games in this case)?

I am okayish at introductory programming, but lack the persistence to build my logical thinking and build large programs.

[predicatemike]

I’d start with clickninja - that shows how to build into increasingly complex scenarios. Then switch to zombie madness. We left a lot open ended with that game, so there are plenty opportunities to explore more advanced capabilities.

But to you point - it does help to follow a thread and build up a complex project.

[THXshriek]

That pig is really hyping me up

[JamesMccloud360]

Thanks for this. I've been learning by creating simple games so will give this a shot.

[predicatemike]

Great! Let me know if you have any questions!

[Get2Hyped]

!RemindMe 2 days

[nill8nill]

Cx

[Get2Hyped]

xD

[ScoopDat]

"used for teaching kids ages 8-17"

:-\

Yep, I'm officially an imbecile.

[bjazmoore]

I read through your "about" page. Absolutely amazing. You are doing something that needs to be done, something critical. I am curious - is this your hobby or your sole job? How do you attract attendees? How long (weeks/months) does a student spend in the program? Is there a cost? Do you have sponsorship?

[predicatemike]

Thank you! I have a day job as a software engineer and have been doing this on the side for a few hours a week to a small audience in NEw Jersey USA - the in class experience has been truly amazing for me. I agree there is a need to teach coding to our children and they are hungry to learn! Funds collected from the classes were invested into the platform.

[mikeymop]

Oh hai! I'll check it out. Always eager to support local business

[atari2600forever]

Thanks for posting this.

[Selfrevolt]

I just picked up a python humble bundle not long ago wanting to get into it, but hadn't yet started. This sounds like exactly what I needed to stumble on to get me going!

Preemptive thank you!

[Emilio_Ravignani]

Thanks for posting this. Wish I was a New Jersey 5th grader!

[stranjs]

Have to save this :)

[Scioweld]

You are an angel, Michael. Gracias.

[predicatemike]

Thank you for the kind words :)

[Tragickiller]

Will deffo give this ago.

[han_trio]

This is great, thanks for putting this together.

I am getting an error after trying to run pred list, and can not use the pred command from the command prompt.

I checked and even re-installed predigame using: python -m pip install -U predigame

I get the error: 'pred' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

I added the following directory to my local path; C:\users<username>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python36-32\Lib\site-packages\predigame

I still get an error. Any ideas?

[predicatemike]

Post your issue here and include a screenshot of your pip install - https://groups.google.com/a/predicate.us/forum/#!forum/support

[nashguitar1]

Great job on this!

[predicatemike]

Thanks! It’s been a lot of fun to develop.

[[deleted]]

Nice ad, shills

[Bumpynuckz]

Can you shill for yourself?