This is a curated list of programming games, i.e. a game that incorporates computer programming as a core mechanic of its gameplay. The list includes open source, free to play and commercial games.

If you know of a game that you think should be on the list, feel free to send a pull request to add it!

• Core War
• JavaScript Fight Club
• Robocode
• Scalatron
• Vindinium

• Code Hero
• CodeCombat
• Codin Game
• Minecraft Hour of Code
• Ruby Warrior

• Box 256
• Untrusted

• Colobot
• Screeps

• Elevator Saga
• MHRD
• Microcorruption
• Shenzhen I/O
• TIS-100

• kOS

• 0x10c
• Stockfighter

Write a program to eliminate other programs in a virtual computer.

• Language: Redcode (Assembly-style)
• External editor support: Yes

Control heros to fight against other heros and win the war.

• Language: JavaScript
• External editor support: Yes

Control a tank and battle against other tanks.

• Language: Java or .NET
• External editor support: Yes

Control bots to compete for energy and survival.

• Language: Scala
• External editor support: Yes

Control your hero to collect the most gold per level.

• Language: Various
• External editor support: Yes

A game that teaches you how to make games in Unity.

• Language: Unity
• External editor support: No

Coding puzzles designed for schools.

• Language: Python
• External editor support: No

Improve your programming skills by completing small puzzlez in various languages.

• Language: Various
• External editor support: No

A game that teaches the basics of programming and computer science in a Minecraft inspired world.

• Language: Blockly
• External editor support: No

A game designed to teach the Ruby language and artificial intelligence in a fun way.

• Language: Ruby
• External editor support: Yes

Optimise code to complete puzzles.

• Language: Assembly-style
• External editor support: No

A meta rougelike where you edit the code that generates the level to pass.

• Language: JavaScript
• External editor support: No

Write code to control units to help you find a new planet to survive.

• Language: C++/Java-style
• External editor support: No

An MMO RTS set in a persistent world with programmable entities.

• Language: JavaScript
• External editor support: Yes

Write code to control the movement of an elevator.

• Language: JavaScript
• External editor support: No

Learn a hardware description language and complete circuits until you eventually design your own CPU.

• Language: Custom hardware description language
• External editor support: No

Exploit bugs in electronic locks to steal breifcases full of bonds.

• Language: MSP430 assembly
• External editor support: No

Build circuits and write code to follow the story of an electronics engineer.

• Language: Assembly-style
• External editor support: No

Rewrite corrupted code to unlock the secrets of the game.

• Language: Assembly-style
• External editor support: No

Mods that add programming capability to existing games.

Kerbal Space Program mod that allows you to control rockets with a fully scriptable autopilot.

• Language: BASIC-style
• External editor support: Partial

Apart from exceptional examples, this list should only include games that were released, not your side project that you got bored of after two weeks :)

• 0x10c
• Stockfighter

This work is licensed under CC0.