Programming

An extension of objectKarel

This is a serious game based on "Karel the Robot" that shares some common features with objectKarel, such as the incorporated learning units. In a three dimensional world one or many robots are shown that should, avoiding some objects, manage to reach the terminal gate in order to pass to the next level. So, unlike with the classic approach, there are elements such as three dimensional graphics, cameras lighting, levels and scores that are integrated in order to simulate the world of robots. The levels of the game are pre-designed and in each level there is a specific goal. The OOP concepts that are covered by the game are: classes and objects, inheritance, polymorphism and overriding. Also, the structures “if” and “for” are presented. The player programs his robots in the Java programming language. The source code of the game is also written in Java and the JMonkey 3.0 game engine was used for its development.

Tsiligoneas, E. (2015). Development of a Serious Games for Learning Object-Oriented Programming in Java. Master Thesis, MSc in Information Systems, University of Macedonia.

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JavabotWars

JavabotWars is a first-person shooter serious game for supporting the player in acquiring Object-oriented programming knowledge in the programming language Java. The game was developed with the ‘Unreal Engine 4’ game engine.

Michailidis, G. (2017). Development of a 3D serious video-game for object-oriented programming with the Unreal game engine. Bsc Thesis, Department of Applied Informatics.

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jAVANT-GARDE

A 2D cross-platform Serious Game aiming to introduce the player to the basic concepts of programming and Object-Oriented programming through Java.

Game Logic:

The player controls a robot and guides it through a series of levels. Each level is filled with obstacles that the player is called to overcome in order to reach the final portal and complete that specific level.

Basic structure of levels:

• The player studies the theory of the level from Info Signs that are placed throughout the map.

• The path of the robot is blocked and the player has to complete various tasks and quests in order to move on.

Tasks and Quests:

• Answer quiz questions.

• Write code.

• Put pieces of code in the correct order.

• Fill in the blank on given code.

IDE: Android Studio

Framework: LibGDX

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, HTML5

Desktop Requirements: To play on desktop you need to have Java installed (https://java.com/en/download/).

• Galgouranas, S. (2018). jAVANT-GARDE: a 2D cross-platform serious game for an introduction to programming with Java. Bsc Thesis, Department of Applied Informatics.

• Galgouranas, S., & Xinogalos, S. (2018). jAVANT-GARDE: A Cross-Platform Serious Game for an Introduction to Programming with Java. Simulation & Gaming. DOI: 10.1177/1046878118789976.

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The game of Code: Lost in JavaLand

A game for learning object-oriented programming concepts implementd in Greenfoot.

Tryfou, M. (2018). Development of an Educational Game for Learning Object-Oriented Programming Concepts. Master Thesis, MSc in Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia.

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Greenfoot project in GitHub

Py-rate Adventures: a 2D platform game for learning programming in Python

Py-rate Adventures is a 2D platfrom game for learning programming concepts in Python. Py-rate Adventures was implemented in Python using PyGame.

• Sideris, G. (2019). Development of a serious game for learning programming concepts in Python. Master Thesis, MSc in Information Systems, University of Macedonia.

• Sideris, G. & Xinogalos, S. (2019). PY-RATE ADVENTURES: a 2D Platform Serious Game for Learning the Basic Concepts of Programming with Python. Simulation & Gaming. (accepted).

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Rise of the Java Emperor: a 2D serious game for learning the basics of Java

The game aims to introduce young students to the basic programming concepts of Java.

The game does not have any prerequisites and is best fitted for players with no previous knowledge of Java programming or those that want to test their knowledge on Java.

• Tsiotras, D. (2020). Development οf a Serious Game for Learning the Programming Language Java. Master Thesis, MSc in Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia.

• Tsiotras, D., Xinogalos, S. (2021). Investigating the Perceived Player Experience and Short-term Learning of the Text-based Java Programming Serious Game “Rise of the Java Emperor”, Informatics in Education, 20 (1), 153-170.

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Office Madness: a serious game based on a real life job scenario for learning C++

Based on the scenario of Office Madness, the player takes the role of a candidate programmer that has applied for a job in the company either for an entry level or a junior developer position. This indirectly plays the role of the game’s difficulty level, as it presents a different educational content and tasks, based on the selected position by the user. The game takes place entirely in a 2D environment, simulating the virtual office of the candidate employee, having all the tools at his/her disposal to complete his/her work.

• Eleftheriadis, S. (2020). Design and implementation of a serious game with C++ and OpenGL for learning the programming language C++. Master Thesis, MSc in Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia

• Eleftheriadis S., Xinogalos S. (2020) Office Madness: Design and Pilot Evaluation of a Serious Game for Learning the C++ Programming Language. In: Marfisi-Schottman I., Bellotti F., Hamon L., Klemke R. (eds) Games and Learning Alliance. GALA 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 12517. Springer, Cham.

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BlocklyScript: an RPG platform game for cultivating Computational Thinking skills

BlocklyScript aims to help students develop their Computational Thinking by learning basic programming concepts, designing algorithms and correcting mistakes.

• Karakasis, C. (2020). Development οf an On-line Game with Blockly for Cultivating Computational Thinking Skills to Young Students. Master Thesis, MSc in Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia.

• Karakasis, C., & Xinogalos, S. (2020). BlocklyScript: Design and Pilot Evaluation of an RPG Platform Game for Cultivating Computational Thinking Skills to Young Students. Informatics in Education, 19(4), 641-668. doi:10.15388/infedu.2020.28

Source code and installation tips

SpAI War: a serious game for learning basic Artificial Intelligence algorithms

SpAI War aims to introduce the player to the basic Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms through a fun and entertaining experience. The user is properly trained in the most important concepts of AI through a series of action and mystery missions, maintaining the player's interest until the final mission.

• Barmpakas, A. (2021). “SpAI War”: A Serious Game for Learning the Basic Algorithms of Artificial Intelligence. BSc Thesis, Department of Applied Informatics.

Java Offsprings: an online escape game for practicing the programming language Java

Java Offsprings is an online escape game for two players which aims at educating the players in the basics of the programming language Java. The game was developed in Unity using scripts in C#. It includes ten levels and each of them covers a different part of Java theory with various tasks.

Note: there is a restriction of twenty players playing Java Offsprings simultaneously.

• Daiou, E. and Koukouvetsiou, D. (2021). “Java Offsprings” - An online escape game for practicing the programming language Java. BSc Thesis, Department of Applied Informatics.

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