Code Trials: An Approach to Teaching Programming Logic Through Platform Game Mechanics
Resumo
Introduction: Teaching programming logic in introductory Computer Science courses faces persistent challenges related to concept abstraction, student disengagement, and high failure rates, with game-based learning identified as an effective strategy. Objective: This paper presents Code Trials, a 2D platform game developed in Godot 4 to support the teaching of programming logic, targeting sequencing, conditionals, and repetition loops. Stages: The game was developed through design-based research in three phases: pedagogical design, implementation in Godot 4 with a modular architecture separating pedagogical parameters from engine logic; and internal validation through iterative testing cycles with undergraduate students. Expected Results: Code Trials is expected to reduce cognitive load related to syntax, increase engagement and time on task, and improve learning outcomes compared to traditional approaches.
Palavras-chave:
educational games, programming education, programming logic, platform game, block-based programming
Referências
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Calderon, I.; Silva, W. and Feitosa, E. (2023). Active learning methodologies for teaching programming in undergraduate courses: a systematic mapping study. Informatics in Education, v. 0, n. 0.
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Gee, J. P. (2003). What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Gomes, A. and Mendes, A. J. (2007). Learning to program: difficulties and solutions. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Education (ICEE 2007), Coimbra, Portugal.
Hosseini, H.; Hartt, M. and Mostafapour, M. (2019). Learning is child’s play: game-based learning in computer science education. ACM Transactions on Computing Education, v. 19, n. 3, p. 1–18.
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Lave, J. and Wenger, E. (1991). Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Liberalino, C. H. P.; Nunes, D. F. L.; Silva, E. C. P.; Laureano, R. S.; Sousa, G. C. M. and Pinto, M. E. S. (2025). Bug Quest: Um Jogo Para o Ensino da Programação. In: Anais do XXIV Simpósio Brasileiro de Jogos e Entretenimento Digital (SBGames 2025), Salvador/BA, p. 1411–1420.
Malliarakis, C.; Satratzemi, M. and Xinogalos, S. (2017). CMX: the effects of an educational MMORPG on learning and teaching computer programming. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, v. 10, n. 3, p. 219–233.
Pérez, E. del M.; Duque, A. P. G. and García, L. C. F. (2018). Game-based learning: increasing the logical-mathematical, naturalistic, and linguistic learning levels of primary school students. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, v. 7, n. 1, p. 31–39.
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Game-Based Learning. New York: McGraw-Hill. Silva, G.; Silva, I. N. M.; Carvalho, W. R. B.; Pessoa, J.; Moreira, J. H. L.; Ferreira, F.
Y.; Brandão, A. L. and Vittori, K. (2025). Um Protótipo em Mundo Aberto para o Ensino de Pensamento Computacional no Ensino Fundamental. In: Anais do XXIV Simpósio Brasileiro de Jogos e Entretenimento Digital (SBGames 2025), Salvador/BA, p. 159–168.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Weintrop, D. and Wilensky, U. (2017). Comparing block-based and text-based programming in high school computer science classrooms. ACM Transactions on Computing Education, v. 18, n. 1, p. 1–25.
Calderon, I.; Silva, W. and Feitosa, E. (2023). Active learning methodologies for teaching programming in undergraduate courses: a systematic mapping study. Informatics in Education, v. 0, n. 0.
Costa, C. M.; Costa, R. M.; Silva, J. P. and Silveira, I. F. (2025). Digital Logic: Um Jogo RPG Baseado em Modding Para o Ensino e Aprendizagem de Lógica Computacional. In: Anais do XXIV Simpósio Brasileiro de Jogos e Entretenimento Digital (SBGames 2025), Salvador/BA, p. 1887–1897.
Gee, J. P. (2003). What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Gomes, A. and Mendes, A. J. (2007). Learning to program: difficulties and solutions. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Education (ICEE 2007), Coimbra, Portugal.
Hosseini, H.; Hartt, M. and Mostafapour, M. (2019). Learning is child’s play: game-based learning in computer science education. ACM Transactions on Computing Education, v. 19, n. 3, p. 1–18.
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Lave, J. and Wenger, E. (1991). Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Liberalino, C. H. P.; Nunes, D. F. L.; Silva, E. C. P.; Laureano, R. S.; Sousa, G. C. M. and Pinto, M. E. S. (2025). Bug Quest: Um Jogo Para o Ensino da Programação. In: Anais do XXIV Simpósio Brasileiro de Jogos e Entretenimento Digital (SBGames 2025), Salvador/BA, p. 1411–1420.
Malliarakis, C.; Satratzemi, M. and Xinogalos, S. (2017). CMX: the effects of an educational MMORPG on learning and teaching computer programming. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, v. 10, n. 3, p. 219–233.
Pérez, E. del M.; Duque, A. P. G. and García, L. C. F. (2018). Game-based learning: increasing the logical-mathematical, naturalistic, and linguistic learning levels of primary school students. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, v. 7, n. 1, p. 31–39.
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Game-Based Learning. New York: McGraw-Hill. Silva, G.; Silva, I. N. M.; Carvalho, W. R. B.; Pessoa, J.; Moreira, J. H. L.; Ferreira, F.
Y.; Brandão, A. L. and Vittori, K. (2025). Um Protótipo em Mundo Aberto para o Ensino de Pensamento Computacional no Ensino Fundamental. In: Anais do XXIV Simpósio Brasileiro de Jogos e Entretenimento Digital (SBGames 2025), Salvador/BA, p. 159–168.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Weintrop, D. and Wilensky, U. (2017). Comparing block-based and text-based programming in high school computer science classrooms. ACM Transactions on Computing Education, v. 18, n. 1, p. 1–25.
Publicado
29/09/2026
Como Citar
BITENCOURT, José Kaynã Pereira de Sousa; DIAS JUNIOR, Jose Olimpio de Freitas; FURTADO, Julio Cezar Costa.
Code Trials: An Approach to Teaching Programming Logic Through Platform Game Mechanics. In: TRILHA DE EDUCAÇÃO – ARTIGOS CURTOS - SIMPÓSIO BRASILEIRO DE JOGOS E ENTRETENIMENTO DIGITAL (SBGAMES), 25. , 2026, Goiânia/GO.
Anais [...].
Porto Alegre: Sociedade Brasileira de Computação,
2026
.
p. 329-334.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/sbgames_estendido.2026.25288.
