Middle School: 2D & 3D Game Programming
CSE-90222
Build Your Own Video Games in 2D and 3D
Game development is one of the most engaging entry points into programming and computer science. Godot 4, a free and open-source game engine, lowers the barrier to entry for beginners while providing robust tools for creating both 2D and 3D games. This course is designed for beginner programmers with an interest in creating their own games. Using Godot 4 and its Python-like GDScript language, students will build a solid programming foundation through hands-on game projects, progressing from simple 2D games to a 3D apple picker game. By the end of this five-day course, students will have created multiple working games and gained practical skills in game design, logic, and programming.
What you'll learn
- Navigate the Godot 4 interface and scene system to build and organize game projects
- Write functional GDScript programs using variables, conditionals, loops, and functions
- Design and build at least four complete 2D game prototypes (including Arkanoid, an endless runner, a car game, and Tic Tac Toe)
- Construct a 3D game scene using Godot 4 3D nodes and assets
- Apply the TileMap system to create 2D game levels
- Debug and test game programs by identifying and correcting logical and runtime errors
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
All class meetings held in-person according to published location, dates and times. Students may be expected to engage with course content online during the published course dates.
Textbooks:
No textbook required.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 6/15/2026
- 1st meeting mandatory
- Early enrollment advised
- No UCSD parking permit required
- No visitors permitted
