About This Game
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)
Write navigation code for cars Crack passwords with brute-force
Solve classical algorithms and data-structures Accurately control sniper rifles
Use image processing to count coins Apply computer vision to guide missiles
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
Tutorial levels to get you started with the programming concepts in JOY OF PROGRAMMING
Create your own puzzles with the included level-editor
Find collectible factsheets with interesting computer-science tidbits
Earn stars by completing levels and use them to unlock new programming features
Work towards achieving many different certificates for completing all levels in one category
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.
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.
Realistic challenges: From robotics to abstract algorithms and creative coding - the full breadth and depth of computer-science awaits.
Open puzzle design: Each level has many different valid solutions.
Clear goals: Each level has one mandatory goal and up to three optional goals.
Immediate feedback: Never wonder whether your code is working. Get immediate, incremental feedback on each good (or bad) step towards a working solution.
Performance metrics: Compare your best solution anonymously with others with respect to speed, memory usage and code length.
No hard locks: Never get stuck on a single level, there are always several open challenges available.
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!
Get This Game
View on SteamUser Reviews
Game Details
Platform Support
Media














Similar games

Electronics Puzzle Lab
by Sagitta Studios
$1.19
Enter the most advanced challenge laboratory of today's games, where electronics and logic merge into challenges that will captivate your mind and awaken the engineer within you!

TIS-100
by Zachtronics
$3.49
TIS-100 is an open-ended programming game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infinifactory, in which you rewrite corrupted code segments to repair the TIS-100 and unlock its secrets. It’s the assembly language programming game you never asked for!

SHENZHEN I/O
by Zachtronics
$7.49
BUILD CIRCUITS. WRITE CODE. RTFM.

Automation - The Car Company Tycoon Game
by Camshaft Software Ltd
$22.49
Make your dream cars a reality with Automation’s unparalleled car and engine design tools. Gain a competitive edge through smart engineering and business decisions to help you build an automotive empire. Will you become an industry leader, or just a footnote in automotive history?

Retro Gadgets
by Licorice ehf
$16.99
Retro Gadgets is a sandbox where you build, code, and customize gadgets inspired by old-school electronics.

CHR$(143)
by Nicolas Jean
$1.99
A rich and challenging physics-based puzzle /logic /construction /programming game! Master ballistics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, chemical and nuclear reactions, use automation bricks, build structures, machines, vehicles, produce power, solve puzzles, pierce the fog and defeat CHR$!

The Farmer Was Replaced
by Timon Herzog
$9.99
Program and optimize a drone to automate a farm and watch it do the work for you. Collect resources to unlock better technology and become the most efficient farmer in the world. Improve your problem solving and coding skills.

You Are The Code
by ThinkWithGames
$7.99
Programming puzzle game, but YOU CAN'T TYPE. Navigate and run pre-existing lines of code! Watch out for bugs eating away your program!

Human Resource Machine
by Tomorrow Corporation
$4.94
Program little office workers to solve puzzles. Be a good employee! The machines are coming... for your job. From the creators of World of Goo and Little Inferno.

How To Hack In?
by Red Buffalo Interactive
$9.09
A real-time hacking sandbox simulator with procedurally generated content. Multiple tools and techniques to use, multiple computers to hack, multiple missions to solve, and multiple vulnerabilities to exploit!

Electrogical
by kinjo
$5.59
"Jigsaw Puzzle + Arithmetic" is a casual yet engaging game that appeals to puzzle gamers who enjoy immersive experiences. Customize your gameplay by rearranging "piece placement," "number manipulation," and "score selection" to aim for a high score in each stage.

EXAPUNKS
by Zachtronics
$9.99
The year is 1997. You used to be a hacker, but now you have the phage. You made a deal: one hack, one dose. There’s nothing left to lose… except your life.

A=B
by Artless Games
$3.49
A=B is a programming puzzle game with only one instruction: A=B, which means replacing A with B.