A new book from geek book publisher No Starch Press and the author of Automate the Boring Stuff with Python aims to teach aspiring coders how to create simple computer games with the Python programming language. Like author Al Sweigart’s previous book, Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python features plain-English explanations of programming concepts combined with a wide range of real programming projects.

Each chapter introduces the reader to a new game like Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe, or Reversi, and dissects the game’s code line by line, explaining how things work along the way. Instead of just reading about programming concepts in the abstract, readers get clear examples of how they work, and they’ll put their newfound knowledge to the test by making fun programs.

According to Sweigart, a fixture in the Python community who began programming by making games, “Having a project in mind and building it step-by-step is a great way to get into programming. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, games are fun to make, and Python makes it easier to learn how to program than ever before. Once readers have worked through the game projects in this book, they’ll have the skills to get started on their own game ideas.”

Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python will teach readers how to:

• Use variables, loops, user input, functions, and flow control statements.
• Choose the right data structures, such as lists, dictionaries, and tuples.
• Debug their programs and find common errors.
• Apply Cartesian coordinates, negative numbers, and other math concepts to programming games.

Currently Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python is available on eBook and print editions, with each being $29.95 and $23.95 respectively. The print book is not out yet, but the ebook can be downloaded as an “early access” copy.