javascript · intermediate
Game Development Foundations
Learn the real programming ideas behind every video game: game loops, vectors, movement, collision detection, input handling, simple physics, and shipping a finished small game.
A practical, code-first introduction to how games actually work under the hood. You will build and test the core building blocks of a game engine as plain JavaScript functions: the update/render loop and delta time, representing game state, 2D vectors and coordinates, movement and velocity, AABB and circle collision detection, input handling with state machines, gravity and jumping, entity spawning and scoring, and the design/tuning skills (game feel, difficulty curves) and production skills (assets, performance, playtesting) needed to actually ship a small game.
Core Loop & Game State
How games run over time: the game loop, delta time, state, vectors, and movement.
- The Game Loop and Delta TimeLevel 2 · Beginner · Pass the quick check to continue12m
- Representing Game StateFinish the lesson and pass the quick check in "The Game Loop and Delta Time" to unlock this lesson.12m
- 2D Coordinates and VectorsFinish the lesson and pass the quick check in "Representing Game State" to unlock this lesson.14m
Collision, Input & Physics
Detecting collisions, handling player input with state machines, and simple physics like gravity.
- Movement and VelocityFinish the lesson, Pass the quick check and pass the coding challenge in "2D Coordinates and Vectors" to unlock this lesson.14m
- Collision Detection: AABB and CirclesFinish the lesson, Pass the quick check and pass the coding challenge in "Movement and Velocity" to unlock this lesson.14m
- Input Handling and State MachinesFinish the lesson, Pass the quick check and pass the coding challenge in "Collision Detection: AABB and Circles" to unlock this lesson.14m
- Gravity, Jumping, and Simple PhysicsFinish the lesson, Pass the quick check and pass the coding challenge in "Movement and Velocity" to unlock this lesson.15m
Entities, Feel & Shipping
Spawning and scoring systems, tuning game feel, and the practical steps to ship a small game.
- Entities, Spawning and ScoringFinish the lesson, Pass the quick check and pass the coding challenge in "Collision Detection: AABB and Circles" to unlock this lesson.14m
- Game Feel, Tuning and Difficulty CurvesFinish the lesson, Pass the quick check and pass the coding challenge in "Gravity, Jumping, and Simple Physics" to unlock this lesson.14m
- Shipping a Small GameFinish the lesson and pass the quick check in "Game Feel, Tuning and Difficulty Curves" to unlock this lesson.16m
- Build the Core Systems of a Small GameComplete "Shipping a Small Game" to unlock this project.~4h