Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python will teach you how to make computer games using the popular Python programming language—even if you’ve never programmed before!

Begin by building classic games like Hangman, Guess the Number, and Tic-Tac-Toe, and then work your way up to more advanced games, like a text-based treasure hunting game and an animated collision-dodging game with sound effects. Along the way, you’ll learn key programming and math concepts that will help you take your game programming to the next level.

Learn how to:
•  Combine loops, variables, and flow control statements into real working programs
•  Choose the right data structures for the job, such as lists, dictionaries, and tuples
•  Add graphics and animation to your games with the pygame module
•  Handle keyboard and mouse input
•  Program simple artificial intelligence so you can play against the computer
•  Use cryptography to convert text messages into secret code
•  Debug your programs and find common errors

As you work through each game, you’ll build a solid foundation in Python and an understanding of computer science fundamentals.

What new game will you create with the power of Python?

The projects in this book are compatible with Python 3.

Review

“Pretty close to the ultimate how-to-learn python book. First, it combines an easy ramp up from expecting you to know virtually nothing to having you try out – and understand – Python. Second, it provides the code, the tools, and the explanations required for you build a number of increasingly sophisticated games and the know-how to branch out to creating games completely on your own.”
—Computerworld

“Many of the games include flowcharts so the reader will better understand the logic needed to complete the game, and I was especially happy to see a few chapters focus on topics not necessary limited to games such as Cartesian coordinates and using the built-in Debugger.”
—GeekDad

“This is an excellent way to learn Python, if you are a kid or not. Little kids can learn with their adult guide, and older kids will eat this book up in an afternoon or two.”
—Greg Laden, National Geographic's ScienceBlogs

“This book is a great entry point for beginning programmers that 'gamifies' coding, allowing readers to immediately apply the concepts covered, rather than teaching basics with little application.”
—School Library Connection

"If games are your thing, this would be the perfect book to learn Python."
—Rajat, @argent_codes

About the Author

Al Sweigart is a software developer and teaches programming to kids and adults. He has written several Python books, including Automate the Boring Stuff with Python and Making Games with Python & Pygame.