Three Video Games That Teach Programming Through Play

By Tanner Higgin, Graphite

The push to get kids to code has been such a hot topic these past few years you might be sick of hearing about it. There are those that see code as a critical skill -- like learning a second language -- which all kids need to learn. Others question whether programming is as important as critical thinking, or if code literacy is more or less important than traditional textual/numerical literacy. While this controversy continues to circulate, most people can agree that a basic understanding of code and coders is an increasingly important part of being a critical thinker in a world that's full of screens and data.

Since digital games are both coded objects and systems that can be critiqued and better understood, they sit nicely between the evangelistic and tempered supporters of code literacy. Games build critical thinking skills and teach code literacy, offering authentic experiences that let kids experiment with how code works. They're solid platforms to begin exploring programming.

Code-focused learning games run the gamut of age/grade ranges and level of code complexity. They can also be split into two discrete but interconnected camps: those that teach the procedural logics of programming -- like Kodable Pro or Cargo-Bot -- and those that dig into programming and scripting, most often using visual metaphors for code -- like Tynker or Gamestar Mechanic.

More recently, there's been a few games that up the ante of authentic code-based learning -- games that peel back the façade and allow players to tweak the code of the game as they play. Confused? Think of it like opening up the hood of a game, and fiddling with the engine -- as you drive.

Take, Beta The Game, for example. It's a run and jump style platform that uses a custom-built language called codePOP. Via an in-game coding terminal, players use the codePOP language to modify the world around them, adding platforms and changing properties and behaviors of objects. David Thomas, who reviewed the game for Graphite, points out how this unique language has its benefits and drawbacks: offering a nice blend of "code scripting and object-oriented programming" while also carrying with it some "idiosyncrasies." Still it's got a great set of support features, and level sharing provides users with tons of additional player-designed challenges.

Thomas also reviewed CodeCombat, and found it more promising, even if the player community isn't quite as strong yet. Unlike Beta The Game, CodeCombat uses non-proprietary languages -- JavaScript and Python (in beta). It also delves into the dungeon crawler genre, letting players explore, kill monsters, and loot treasure. The result is an experience that "never feels like code school," although Thomas notes that the fantasy setting means it's best for students "motivated by the idea of battling knights and ogres."

While these two games are a bit under the radar, Hack 'n' Slash has more reach due to the big name talent behind it. Developed by fan favorite studio Double Fine Productions -- the company behind critical darlings like Psychonauts and Broken Age -- Hack 'n' Slash aims to push the learn-to-code game genre into new territory. Modeled on the Zelda series, and trading on Double Fine's signature charm and inventiveness, Hack 'n' Slash mixes adventuring and puzzling and doesn't pull any punches in terms of what players can do with the game's code. Just about everything in-game can be tweaked and modified in whatever ways the player chooses. In fact, the same code that underlies the game is the code the players see. And, bravely, Double Fine made a decision early on in development to not wall off or gate the code; instead, it's set up like a sandcastle waiting to be stomped. For players that's an empowering feeling – like the game can be fooled. Graphite hasn't reviewed it yet because it's still in-development, but are interested to hear what teachers who have already played it think.

All of the games mentioned above represent and expose a key quality of play that's often lost in stuffy, overly-scaffolded learning games -- subversion. While code might be all about rules and procedure, play isn't. Games are the things that harness play through rules, but play -- and players -- can never quite be tamed. Play is too big and too slippery, ever redefining itself and evolving. Yet code -- and in some sense games -- are defined by stability. How can the two be reconciled? By letting games be games -- finicky and structured -- and players be players -- risky and inventive. This offers an appealing counterpoint to the dominant and perhaps tired code literacy rhetoric: stop 'learning to code' and start messing with it.

Tanner Higgin is Senior Manager, Education Content, at Common Sense Media, creator of Graphite ™, a free service for educators in search of the best apps, games, and websites rated for learning. This post is one in a series collaboration. Games included here have received high ratings on Graphite by educators and by the editorial staff at Common Sense Media. Go to Graphite to read full reviews of games and how teachers use them for learning in class.