3 Games to Boost Your Coding Skills

Learning to create and publish your own digital games, either at home or on a degree course like the University of Bolton’s BSc (Hons) Games Programming, you are always looking for new ways to hone your skills and keep your coding sharp. One great way to do this is by playing coding games. Not only are these games fun, but they also have the added benefit of helping you improve your coding ability.  

Games don’t just help us learn hard skills, either. More and more research is finding that video games effectively teach important soft skills like teamwork, critical thinking, and decision-making. Games can also help us learn physical skills, even ones as fine-tuned as conducting surgery, or operating remote robotics demanding precise control inputs. 

There’s a whole list of benefits to learning a topic like this in the dynamic, interactive environments provided by coding games, and here are three of our favourites that are sure to give your skills a boost whatever level you’re starting from! 

Lightbot – Beginner 

Designed by people who were learning to code themselves, Lightbot is a puzzle game that requires you to use code to direct a robot through a series of increasingly complex levels. With a bright, clean interface and endearing robot as a central character, it supplies a surprisingly relaxing way to learn programming concepts like sequencing, overloading, recursive loops, and conditionals. 

With 50 levels to beat, Lightbot is guaranteed to give your brain a workout. And if you get stuck on a particular level, the game provides hints and tips to help you along the way. Best of all, Lightbot can be played for free in your browser with no need to download anything, so you can pick up where you left off at any computer with an internet connection. 

Code Combat – Beginner/Intermediate 

This game bills itself as "the most fun way to learn programming." And we have to say, they're not wrong. Code Combat is a multiplayer programming game in which players use code to navigate their characters through a variety of levels, each more challenging than the last.  

Code Combat is great for honing your coding skills, but there’s a lot more going on around the platform for students, parents, and educators to get involved with. Their community-driven approach and educational esports league might even help you make some important new friendships along the way. 

CodinGame – Intermediate/Expert 

If you’ve already got your head around the basics of coding and are looking for something a little more challenging before you start your programming degree, then CodinGame offers a great platform to start building your professional reputation early.  

While you play games designed to teach you the “hot coding topics” of the day either solo or online against friends, you’ll also build your own developer profile to highlight your expertise to potential employees. This industry focus reflects the approach Bolton University brings to our courses through our experienced and highly skilled lecturers.  
 
These are just three of the many great games that are out there for programmers looking to improve their skills. Sharpen your coding abilities with one (or all!) of these games, and you’ll have a great head start on your Games Programming journey with the University of Bolton. 

To find out more about how Bolton University is proud to be #UniAsItShouldBe, attend an Open Day or get in touch with our award-winning Student Support team who will be happy to tell you about our friendly and supportive learning environment.