├── .github ├── FUNDING.yml └── workflows │ └── link-checker.yml ├── LICENSE.md └── README.md /.github/FUNDING.yml: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | # These are supported funding model platforms 2 | 3 | github: [stared] 4 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /.github/workflows/link-checker.yml: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | name: Check Markdown links 2 | 3 | on: 4 | push: 5 | branches: 6 | - master 7 | pull_request: 8 | branches: 9 | - master 10 | schedule: 11 | # Run every month on the 1st at 9:00AM (See https://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/utilities/crontab.html#tag_20_25_07) 12 | - cron: "0 9 1 * *" 13 | 14 | jobs: 15 | markdown-link-check: 16 | runs-on: ubuntu-latest 17 | steps: 18 | - uses: actions/checkout@master 19 | - uses: gaurav-nelson/github-action-markdown-link-check@v1 20 | with: 21 | use-quiet-mode: 'yes' 22 | use-verbose-mode: 'yes' 23 | 24 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /LICENSE.md: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | # [CC0 public domain dedication](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) 2 | 3 | The person who associated a work with this deed has dedicated the work to the public domain by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law. 4 | 5 | You can copy, modify, distribute and perform the work, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. See Other Information below. 6 | 7 | # Other Information 8 | 9 | In no way are the patent or trademark rights of any person affected by CC0, nor are the rights that other persons may have in the work or in how the work is used, such as publicity or privacy rights. 10 | 11 | Unless expressly stated otherwise, the person who associated a work with this deed makes no warranties about the work, and disclaims liability for all uses of the work, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. 12 | 13 | When using or citing the work, you should not imply endorsement by the author or the affirmer. 14 | 15 | Full legal text: 16 | [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode) 17 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /README.md: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | # Science-based games 2 | 3 | > The list is essentially about educational based games that nailed entertainment (with a focus on scientific phenomenon). - [mettamage on HN](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14661821) 4 | 5 | Here is a collaborative notepad with educational/science games, i.e. games that are: 6 | 7 | * capturing parts of real scientific phenomena (including social science, medicine, etc), 8 | * actually playable (you can play them for fun, not ones *"for classroom only"*). 9 | 10 | So in general, ones that may make you say *I played X for its own sake, yet I've learnt how Y works!* for Y being advanced enough. 11 | 12 | This is a collaborative list dedicated to the public domain ([CC0](https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/)), where everyone is welcomed to contribute! See: [how to contribute](#how-to-contribute). It was started, and is being maintained, by [Piotr Migdał](http://p.migdal.pl/) (the author of [Quantum Game with Photons](http://quantumgame.io/)). 13 | 14 | A mini table of contents: [Physics](#physics), [Chemistry](#chemistry), [Biology](#biology), [Computer Science](#computer-science), [Health](#health), [Mathematics](#mathematics), [Sociology and economy](#sociology-and-economy), [Humanities](#humanities) 15 | 16 | ## Games 17 | 18 | ### Physics 19 | 20 | #### Velocity Raptor 21 | 22 | * [www.testtubegames.com/velocityraptor.html](http://www.testtubegames.com/velocityraptor.html) 23 | * special relativity theory 24 | * contraction, time dilation, Doppler shift 25 | * 2D arcade / puzzle 26 | * on web (Flash) (free of charge) 27 | 28 | #### Agent Higgs 29 | 30 | * [www.testtubegames.com/higgsflash.html](http://www.testtubegames.com/higgsflash.html) 31 | * elementary particles 32 | * charges, antiparticles, neutrino oscillations, decay 33 | * puzzle ([Atomix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomix_%28video_game%29)-like) 34 | * iOS game (2 chapter free of charge, on web (Flash)) 35 | 36 | #### A slower speed of light 37 | 38 | * [gamelab.mit.edu/games/a-slower-speed-of-light](http://gamelab.mit.edu/games/a-slower-speed-of-light/) 39 | * special relativity theory 40 | * Doppler shift, geometric distortions 41 | * 3D first person perspective walking 42 | * free of charge 43 | * MIT license: [github.com/MITGameLab/OpenRelativity](https://github.com/MITGameLab/OpenRelativity) 44 | 45 | #### Chromatron 46 | 47 | * [silverspaceship.com/chromatron](http://silverspaceship.com/chromatron/) 48 | * geometric optics 49 | * puzzle 50 | * warning: a few elements are unreal (most are real, though) 51 | * MacOS, Windows (free of charge) 52 | 53 | #### Kerbal Space Program 54 | 55 | * [kerbalspaceprogram.com](https://kerbalspaceprogram.com) 56 | * Newtonian physics, space program 57 | * strategy 58 | * GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($) 59 | 60 | #### Orbiter 2016 61 | 62 | * [orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/index](http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/index.html) 63 | * Newtonian physics, orbital mechanics, flight mechanics 64 | * Space Flight Simulator 65 | * Windows (free) 66 | 67 | #### Delta V 68 | * [deltav.corpsmoderne.net](http://deltav.corpsmoderne.net/) 69 | * Newtonian physics, orbital mechanics 70 | * simulation 71 | * on web (free of charge) 72 | 73 | #### Bond Breaker 74 | 75 | * [testtubegames.com/bondbreaker.html](http://testtubegames.com/bondbreaker.html) 76 | * electrostatics, chemistry 77 | * 2d puzzle/action 78 | * web, Android, iOS (free of charge) 79 | 80 | #### Meqanic 81 | 82 | * [www.meqanic.com/app](http://www.meqanic.com/app/) 83 | * quantum computation and quantum information 84 | * puzzle / blocks 85 | * web (free of charge), iOS ($) 86 | 87 | #### Relativity Wars 88 | 89 | * store.steampowered.com/app/341640/Relativity_Wars__A_Science_Space_RTS](https://store.steampowered.com/app/341640/Relativity_Wars__A_Science_Space_RTS/) 90 | * space arcade / RTS 91 | * some parts of relativity 92 | * Android ($), iOS ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($) 93 | 94 | #### Quantum Game with Photons 95 | 96 | * [quantumgame.io](http://quantumgame.io) 97 | * quantum mechanics, quantum optics 98 | * puzzle / board / simulator 99 | * web (free of charge) 100 | * MIT license: [github.com/stared/quantum-game](https://github.com/stared/quantum-game) 101 | * blog post: [Quantum mechanics for high-school students](http://p.migdal.pl/2016/08/15/quantum-mechanics-for-high-school-students.html) 102 | 103 | #### Quantum Marble Maze 104 | 105 | * [tropic.org.uk/~crispin/quantum/](http://tropic.org.uk/~crispin/quantum/) 106 | * quantum mechanics, continuous wavefunction 107 | * puzzle / action / simulator 108 | * Java application (free and open source) 109 | * GPL based: [LICENSE.txt](https://github.com/fiftysevendegreesofrad/quantum/blob/master/quantum/LICENSE.txt) 110 | * blog post: [Learning Quantum Mechanics the Easy Way](https://linkingideasblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/25/learning-quantum-mechanics-the-easy-way/) 111 | 112 | #### Quantum Moves, Quantum Minds 113 | 114 | * [www.scienceathome.org/games](https:/www.scienceathome.org/games) 115 | * adiabatic processes for quantum states 116 | * puzzle / action 117 | * citizen science 118 | * Quantum Moves (free of charge): GNU/Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS 119 | * Quantum Minds (free of charge): MacOS, Windows 120 | 121 | #### The Electric Shocktopus 122 | 123 | * [testtubegames.com/shocktopus.html](http://testtubegames.com/shocktopus.html) 124 | * electromagnetism 125 | * platformer 126 | * web (free of charge), GNU/Linux ($) , MacOS ($), Windows ($) 127 | 128 | #### High Frontier 129 | 130 | * [boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/172737/high-frontier-3rd-edition](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/172737/high-frontier-3rd-edition) 131 | * models space mission logistics 132 | * living game board and rules incorporate actual data as it is discovered 133 | * realistic resource usage and physics modeling 134 | * board game ($) 135 | 136 | #### Osmos 137 | 138 | * [www.osmos-game.com](http://www.osmos-game.com/) 139 | * gravity and conservation of momentum 140 | * puzzle / action / strategy 141 | * GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($), Android ($), iOS ($) 142 | 143 | #### HelloQuantum 144 | 145 | * [helloquantum.mybluemix.net](http://helloquantum.mybluemix.net/) 146 | * quantum operations on 2 quibits 147 | * puzzle 148 | * iOS (free) 149 | * blog post: [Hello Quantum: Taking your first steps into quantum computation](https://medium.com/qiskitters/hello-quantum-2c1c00fe830c) 150 | * its terminal-based open-source version: https://github.com/decodoku/Quantum_Programming_Tutorial 151 | * Free arcade version (trial): https://quantum-qubit.netlify.app 152 | 153 | #### QPong 154 | 155 | * Python version: [https://github.com/HuangJunye/QPong](https://github.com/HuangJunye/QPong) 156 | * Unity version: [https://github.com/HuangJunye/QPong-Unity](https://github.com/HuangJunye/QPong-Unity) 157 | * Quantum version of Pong with paddles controlled by quantum circuits 158 | * sports (Pong was sports) 159 | * Linux, Windows, macOS (free of charge) 160 | * Apache 2.0 license 161 | * videos: 162 | * [Quantum Pong — Programming on Quantum Computers Ep 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1NZC5rqQD8) 163 | * [How to defeat classical computer in QPong](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEfF4cOoobc) 164 | * blog post: 165 | * [Recap of Qiskit Camp 2019](https://medium.com/qiskit/recap-of-qiskit-camp-2019-4d95f07dd179) 166 | * [The History of Games for Quantum Computers](https://medium.com/@decodoku/the-history-of-games-for-quantum-computers-a1de98859b5a) 167 | 168 | #### QiskitBlocks 169 | 170 | * [QiskitBlocks.org](https://github.com/JavaFXpert/QiskitBlocks) 171 | * Minecraft-like environment with quantum circuit demonstrations, puzzles, and escape rooms 172 | * puzzle / strategy 173 | * Linux, Windows, macOS, Android (free of charge) 174 | * Apache 2.0 license 175 | * Videos: 176 | * [QiskitBlocks brief demo](https://vimeo.com/356185384) 177 | * Used in quantum computing workshop: 178 | * [Quantum Computing Workshop with QiskitBlocks](https://slides.com/javafxpert/qiskitblocks) 179 | 180 | #### Interplanetary Postal Service 181 | 182 | * [github.com/s-macke/Interplanetary-Postal-Service](https://github.com/s-macke/Interplanetary-Postal-Service) 183 | * Fluid dynamics 184 | * Lunar Lander genre 185 | * web (free of charge) 186 | 187 | #### Spintronics Simulator 188 | 189 | * [www.turingtumble.com/upperstory/spintronics/simulator/index.html](https://www.turingtumble.com/upperstory/spintronics/simulator/index.html) 190 | * Electric circuits 191 | * Puzzle 192 | * Emulate electric circuits using mechanical devices 193 | * web (free of charge) 194 | * A physical and commercial version is [available on Kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/upperstory/spintronics-build-mechanical-circuits) 195 | 196 | ### Chemistry 197 | 198 | #### Covalence 199 | 200 | * [boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/184663/covalence-molecule-building-game](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/184663/covalence-molecule-building-game) 201 | * molecules 202 | * board game ($) 203 | 204 | #### Ion 205 | 206 | * [boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/174611/ion-compound-building-game](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/174611/ion-compound-building-game) 207 | * compounds 208 | * board game ($) 209 | 210 | ### Atomix (1990) 211 | 212 | * [classicreload.com/atomix.html](https://classicreload.com/atomix.html) 213 | * molecules 214 | * puzzle game 215 | * DOS 216 | * extra: [Atomix on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomix_(video_game)) 217 | 218 | #### Sokobond 219 | 220 | * [www.sokobond.com](http://www.sokobond.com/) 221 | * molecules 222 | * puzzle game 223 | * Windows/MacOS/Linux ($) 224 | 225 | ### Biology 226 | 227 | #### Thrive 228 | 229 | * [https://revolutionarygamesstudio.com/](https://revolutionarygamesstudio.com/releases/) 230 | * Cellular biology, evolution 231 | * Evolution simulator, top-down perspective. The player evolves and controls their own single cellular species, playing as one cell and competing against other AI species that evolve and adapt alongside them. 232 | * Windows & Linux (free of charge) 233 | * GNU General Public License 234 | * [Main repo](https://github.com/Revolutionary-Games/Thrive) 235 | 236 | #### Incredipede 237 | 238 | * http://www.incredipede.com/buy.html 239 | * anatomy 240 | * puzzle-platformer 241 | * Unity-based 242 | 243 | #### Cellcraft 244 | 245 | * [www.kongregate.com/games/cellcraft/cellcraft](http://www.kongregate.com/games/cellcraft/cellcraft) 246 | * cell biology 247 | * real-time strategy 248 | * web-based Flash (free of charge) 249 | 250 | #### Cell Lab: Evolution Sandbox 251 | 252 | * [www.cell-lab.net](http://www.cell-lab.net) or [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.saterskog.cell_lab) 253 | * evolution, cell biology 254 | * design of reproducing organisms 255 | * Android (free of charge) 256 | 257 | #### Meta!Blast 258 | 259 | * [www.metablast.org](http://www.metablast.org/) or [metnet-mbl.gdcb.iastate.edu](http://metnet-mbl.gdcb.iastate.edu) 260 | * plant and cell biology 261 | * flight simulator 262 | * nice descriptions of encountered elements 263 | * MacOS, Windows (free of charge) 264 | 265 | #### Foldit 266 | 267 | * [fold.it](https://fold.it) 268 | * protein conformation 269 | * 3d puzzle 270 | * citizen science 271 | * GNU/Linux, MacOS, Windows (free of charge) 272 | 273 | #### Pathogenesis 274 | 275 | * [boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/199309/pathogenesis](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/199309/pathogenesis) 276 | * pathogens and immune response 277 | * a deck building game 278 | * board game ($) 279 | * it was a [successful Kickstarter project](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lorencunningham/pathogenesis) 280 | 281 | #### Evolution: the origin of species 282 | 283 | * [boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/71021/evolution-origin-species](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/71021/evolution-origin-species) 284 | * evolution 285 | * card game ($) 286 | 287 | #### Cytosis 288 | 289 | * [boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/202977/cytosis-cell-biology-game](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/202977/cytosis-cell-biology-game) 290 | * cell biology 291 | * board game ($) 292 | 293 | #### Linkage 294 | 295 | * [boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/157586/linkage-dna-card-game](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/157586/linkage-dna-card-game) 296 | * molecular genetics 297 | * board game ($) 298 | 299 | #### Peptide 300 | 301 | * [boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/166298/peptide-protein-building-game](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/166298/peptide-protein-building-game) 302 | * proteins 303 | * board game ($) 304 | 305 | #### Virulence 306 | 307 | * [boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/202207/virulence-infectious-card-game](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/202207/virulence-infectious-card-game) 308 | * viruses 309 | * board game ($) 310 | 311 | 312 | #### Digestix 313 | 314 | * [learning.alimentarium.ch/en/games](https://learning.alimentarium.ch/en/games) 315 | * digestion 316 | * tower defense 317 | * Android, iOS (soon on web) (free of charge) 318 | 319 | #### Bios: Genesis 320 | 321 | * [boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/98918/bios-genesis](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/98918/bios-genesis) 322 | * players start as organic compounds shortly after Earth's formation 323 | * create autocatalytic life and Darwinian life 324 | * Players can play cooperative, competitive, or solitaire. 325 | * board game ($) 326 | 327 | #### Crescent Loom 328 | 329 | * [wick.works/crescentloom/](http://wick.works/crescentloom/) 330 | * Players build underwater creatures (a la Spore) and get them to move by weaving neurons into a simple brain. 331 | * Neurons are simulated using a compartmental RC-circuit model. 332 | * Window/Mac/Linux ($), web (demo, free of charge) 333 | * [Kickstarter founded: Crescent Loom: weave neurons, stitch muscles, create life.](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wickworks/crescent-loom-stitch-muscles-weave-neurons-create) 334 | 335 | #### Macromolecule Man 336 | 337 | * [biomanbio.com/HTML5GamesandLabs/LifeChemgames/macromoleculeman-page.html](https://biomanbio.com/HTML5GamesandLabs/LifeChemgames/macromoleculeman-page.html) 338 | * side-scrolling platform game whereby you are Mac, the Macromolecule Man.💪 339 | * Using your molecule blaster, you will solve a variety of puzzles, building and using the key biological molecules that make life possible. 340 | * Learn about carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and their building blocks. 341 | * web-based (free of charge) 342 | 343 | ### Computer science 344 | 345 | #### Digital Logic Design (The Game) 346 | * [http://asteriskman7.github.io/dldtg/](http://asteriskman7.github.io/dldtg/) 347 | * digital logic design 348 | * increment game 349 | * web-based (free of charge) 350 | * GPLv3 License: [https://github.com/asteriskman7/dldtg](https://github.com/asteriskman7/dldtg) 351 | 352 | #### nandgame 353 | * [http://nandgame.com/](http://nandgame.com/) 354 | * digital logic and computer design 355 | * puzzle 356 | * build a processor from start 357 | * web-based (free of charge) 358 | 359 | #### Deadlock Empire 360 | 361 | * [https://deadlockempire.github.io/](https://deadlockempire.github.io/) 362 | * Multi-threading 363 | * puzzle 364 | * web (free of charge) 365 | 366 | #### Recursed 367 | 368 | * [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/497780/Recursed/) 369 | * Functional programming 370 | * puzzle 371 | * Desktop 372 | 373 | #### Turing Game 374 | 375 | * [turing-game.pl](http://turing-game.pl/) 376 | * Turing tape, programming 377 | * puzzle 378 | * web (free of charge) 379 | 380 | #### Spacechem 381 | 382 | * [http://www.spacechemthegame.com](http://www.spacechemthegame.com/) 383 | * algorithms 384 | * puzzle 385 | * Android ($), GNU/Linux ($), Windows ($) 386 | 387 | #### Code Master - The Ultimate Coding Board Game 388 | * [http://www.thinkfun.com/products/code-master/](http://www.thinkfun.com/products/code-master/) 389 | * algorithms, programming 390 | * board game ($) 391 | 392 | #### Colobot 393 | 394 | * [https://colobot.info/](https://colobot.info/) 395 | * programming multiple, possibly interacting, robots 396 | * GNU/Linux, MacOS, Windows (free of charge) 397 | * GNU GPLv3+ license: http://github.com/colobot 398 | 399 | #### TIS-100 400 | 401 | * [www.zachtronics.com/tis-100](http://www.zachtronics.com/tis-100/) 402 | * programming 403 | * multiple very constrained CPUs + communication 404 | * SpaceChem-style optimization 405 | * GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($) 406 | 407 | #### Shenzhen I/O 408 | 409 | * [www.zachtronics.com/shenzhen-io](http://www.zachtronics.com/shenzhen-io/) 410 | * programming 411 | * puzzle 412 | * author of other games: http://www.zachtronics.com/ including SpaceChem 413 | * see also: [Lessons Learned from Shenzhen I/O](https://probablydance.com/2016/11/07/lessons-learned-from-shenzhen-io/) 414 | * GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($) 415 | 416 | #### Opus Magnum 417 | 418 | * [www.zachtronics.com/opus-magnum/](http://www.zachtronics.com/opus-magnum/) 419 | * programming 420 | * puzzle 421 | * author of other games: http://www.zachtronics.com/ including SpaceChem, TIS 100, Shenzhen I/O 422 | * GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($) 423 | 424 | #### Robozzle 425 | 426 | * [http://www.robozzle.com/](http://www.robozzle.com/) 427 | * algorithms 428 | * puzzle 429 | * user-generated content 430 | * web, Android, iOS, Windows Phone (free of charge) 431 | * part proprietary, part Ms-PL license: [http://robozzle.codeplex.com/](http://robozzle.codeplex.com/)) 432 | 433 | #### Human Resource Machine 434 | 435 | * [https://tomorrowcorporation.com/humanresourcemachine](https://tomorrowcorporation.com/humanresourcemachine) 436 | * programming 437 | * puzzle 438 | * automation and optimization 439 | * from the designers of Little Inferno and World of Goo 440 | * GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($), Android ($), iOS ($), Wii U ($) 441 | 442 | #### Hour of Code 443 | 444 | * [https://code.org/learn](https://code.org/learn) 445 | * many puzzle games about programming and algorithms 446 | * some famous licenses (e.g., Minecraft, Disney) 447 | * web-based (free of charge) 448 | * part [proprietary](https://code.org/tos), part Apache 2.0: [https://github.com/code-dot-org/code-dot-org](https://github.com/code-dot-org/code-dot-org) 449 | 450 | #### Decodoku 451 | 452 | * [http://decodoku.com/](http://decodoku.com/) 453 | * quantum computation 454 | * quantum error correction 455 | * citizen science 456 | * Web / Mac / Windows / Android / iPhone (free of charge) 457 | * see also: [Decodoku in 2017](https://medium.com/@decodoku/decodoku-in-2017-e68e63a6d09c) 458 | * MIT license: [https://github.com/decodoku](https://github.com/decodoku) 459 | 460 | #### Cube Composer 461 | 462 | * [david-peter.de/cube-composer/](http://david-peter.de/cube-composer/) 463 | * functional programming 464 | * puzzle games 465 | * web-based (free of charge) 466 | * MIT license: [https://github.com/sharkdp/cube-composer](https://github.com/sharkdp/cube-composer) 467 | 468 | #### Untrusted —or— the Continuing Adventures of Dr. Eval 469 | 470 | * [alexnisnevich.github.io/untrusted/](http://alexnisnevich.github.io/untrusted/) 471 | * programming in JavaScript 472 | * roguelike, puzzle 473 | * web, JavaScript (free of charge) 474 | * dual licensed proprietary and CC BY-NC-SA 3.0: [https://github.com/AlexNisnevich/untrusted](https://github.com/AlexNisnevich/untrusted) 475 | 476 | #### Factorio 477 | 478 | * [factorio.com](https://www.factorio.com/) 479 | * simulation building 480 | * collect resources and design factories 481 | * automate all aspects of factory production 482 | * Windows ($), Mac ($), GNU/Linux ($) 483 | 484 | #### Infinifactory 485 | 486 | * [www.zachtronics.com/infinifactory/](http://www.zachtronics.com/infinifactory/) 487 | * algorithms, optimization 488 | * puzzle 489 | * Like a cross between SpaceChem and Factorio 490 | * Windows ($), Mac ($), GNU/Linux ($) 491 | 492 | #### Google Turing Doodle 493 | 494 | * [https://www.google.com/doodles/alan-turings-100th-birthday](https://www.google.com/doodles/alan-turings-100th-birthday) 495 | * Turing tape programming 496 | * puzzle games 497 | * web-based (free of charge) 498 | * Apache license: [https://github.com/google/turing-doodle](https://github.com/google/turing-doodle) 499 | 500 | #### WarriorJS 501 | 502 | * [warrior.js.org](https://warrior.js.org/) 503 | * programming and AI 504 | * code-writing 505 | * web-based (free of charge) 506 | * MIT License: [https://github.com/olistic/warriorjs](https://github.com/olistic/warriorjs) 507 | 508 | ### Health 509 | 510 | #### Lifesaver 511 | 512 | * [www.life-saver.org.uk](https://www.life-saver.org.uk/) 513 | * cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 514 | * interactive video story, fast-paced 515 | * web-based (Flash) (free of charge) 516 | 517 | #### Vax! 518 | 519 | * [vax.herokuapp.com](http://vax.herokuapp.com/) 520 | * epidemic prevention, vaccination, network science 521 | 522 | ### Mathematics 523 | 524 | #### SET 525 | 526 | * [www.setgame.com](http://www.setgame.com/) 527 | * addition in finite field (`Z_3^4`) 528 | * real-time card game ($) 529 | * [Set (game) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_%28game%29) and [Which popular games are the most mathematical? - MathOverflow](https://mathoverflow.net/a/13645) 530 | 531 | #### A game of numbers 532 | 533 | * [agameofnumbers.com](http://agameofnumbers.com/) 534 | * also: [playable demo](http://joedev.net/JSIL/Numbers/) 535 | * [Ludum Dare - an almost success story](http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/08/02/an-almost-success-story/) 536 | * arithmetic 537 | * puzzle/maze 538 | * GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($) 539 | 540 | #### HyperRogue 541 | 542 | * [www.roguetemple.com/z/hyper/](http://www.roguetemple.com/z/hyper/) 543 | * geometry of hyperbolic plane 544 | * a rogue-like game 545 | * GNU/Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Pandora ([pay-what-you-want](https://zenorogue.itch.io/hyperrogue)) 546 | * GNU GPLv2 license: [https://github.com/zenorogue/hyperrogue](https://github.com/zenorogue/hyperrogue), partly proprietary on Android and iOS 547 | 548 | #### HydraSlayer 549 | 550 | * [www.roguetemple.com/z/hydra/](http://www.roguetemple.com/z/hydra/) 551 | * arithmetic, a bit of number theory 552 | * a rogue-like game 553 | * GNU/Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android ([pay-what-you-want](https://zenorogue.itch.io/hydra-slayer)) 554 | * license: version 17 and Android version GNU GPLv2 (code on homepage); version 18 appears to be proprietary 555 | 556 | #### Mathbreakers 557 | 558 | * [www.mathbreakers.com](https://www.mathbreakers.com/) 559 | * arithmetics 560 | * 3d adventure game 561 | * GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($) with free of charge demo 562 | 563 | #### Euclid the Game 564 | 565 | * [euclidthegame.com](http://euclidthegame.com/) 566 | * planar geometry 567 | * web (link above looks dead, though), iOS 568 | * MIT license: [https://github.com/euclidthegame/euclidthegame.iOS](https://github.com/euclidthegame/euclidthegame.iOS) 569 | 570 | #### Euclidea 571 | * [euclidea](https://www.euclidea.xyz/) 572 | * planar geometry 573 | * web, Android, iOS (free of charge) 574 | 575 | #### Engare 576 | * [Engare](http://www.engare.design/) (and [Engare on Steam](http://store.steampowered.com/app/415170/Engare/)) 577 | * geometry, curves 578 | * motion puzzle 579 | * MacOS ($), Windows ($) 580 | 581 | #### Refractions 582 | 583 | * [centerforgamescience.org/blog/portfolio/refraction](http://centerforgamescience.org/blog/portfolio/refraction/) 584 | * [Refractions 2 for iPad](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/refraction-2/id720246677) 585 | * fractions 586 | * puzzle 587 | * paper on optimizing: http://grail.cs.washington.edu/projects/ordering/ 588 | * web, iOS (free of charge) 589 | 590 | #### Havel-Hakimi 591 | 592 | * [jacquerie.github.io/hh/](http://jacquerie.github.io/hh/) 593 | * graph theory 594 | * puzzle 595 | * web (free of charge) 596 | * MIT license: [https://github.com/jacquerie/hh](https://github.com/jacquerie/hh) 597 | 598 | #### 4D Toys 599 | 600 | * [4dtoys.com](http://4dtoys.com/) 601 | * playing with 4-dimensional shapes 602 | * Windows ($) 603 | 604 | #### Dragonbox Algebra 605 | 606 | * [dragonbox algebra](https://dragonbox.com/products/algebra-12) 607 | * Entertaining puzzle game stealthily teaches you to solve algebraic equations 608 | * Android ($), iOS ($) 609 | 610 | ### Sociology and economy 611 | 612 | #### Peacemaker 613 | 614 | * [www.peacemakergame.com](http://www.peacemakergame.com/) 615 | * Israel-Palestine peace process (unfortunately outdated and too optimistic) 616 | * strategy 617 | * Android ($), iOS ($), Kindle Fire ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($) 618 | 619 | #### Democracy 3 620 | 621 | * [www.positech.co.uk/democracy3](http://www.positech.co.uk/democracy3/) 622 | * democracy, ruling country 623 | * turn-based economical strategy 624 | * GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($) 625 | 626 | #### Parable of the Polygons 627 | 628 | * [ncase.me/polygons](http://ncase.me/polygons/) 629 | * social diversity, racial segregation (and phase transitions) 630 | * agent-based simulation 631 | * web (free of charge) 632 | * CC0 license: [https://github.com/ncase/polygons](https://github.com/ncase/polygons) 633 | 634 | ### Humanities 635 | 636 | #### philo: socratic games 637 | 638 | * [gregkarber.com/philo](http://gregkarber.com/philo/) 639 | * simple 2d platformers (puzzle, not - action) 640 | * philosophical concepts, fallacies 641 | * web (free of charge) 642 | * CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license 643 | 644 | #### Socrates Jones: Pro Philosopher 645 | * [Play online on Kongregate](http://www.kongregate.com/games/chiefwakamakamu/socrates-jones-pro-philosopher) or [Newsgrounds](http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/625356) 646 | * visual novel based on Ace Attorney series 647 | * different concepts of ethics 648 | 649 | #### Snakisms 650 | 651 | * [pippinbarr.github.io/SNAKISMS/](https://pippinbarr.github.io/SNAKISMS/) 652 | * variants of the Snake game 653 | * philosophical concepts 654 | * web (free of charge) 655 | 656 | ### Design 657 | 658 | #### Kern Type, the kerning game 659 | 660 | * [https://type.method.ac/](type.method.ac) 661 | * adjusting letters 662 | * web (free of charge) 663 | 664 | #### The Bézier Game 665 | 666 | * [bezier.method.ac](https://bezier.method.ac/) 667 | * drawing Bézier curves 668 | * web (free of charge) 669 | 670 | ### Life experience games 671 | 672 | There are a few games that *feel* somewhat related (even if not that much science-based). 673 | I (@stared) considered putting them in psychology/sociology, but it turned out to be a controversial issue. 674 | Again, what is crucial - it's not about only about theme, but game mechanics aligned with experiencing a difficult life situation. 675 | 676 | #### Depression Quest 677 | 678 | * [www.depressionquest.com](http://www.depressionquest.com/) 679 | * living with depression 680 | * text-based game (with choices based on energy/motivation - even though other options are visible) 681 | * web (free), Steam ($) 682 | 683 | #### This War of Mine 684 | 685 | * [store.steampowered.com/app/282070/This_War_of_Mine/](http://store.steampowered.com/app/282070/This_War_of_Mine/) 686 | * horrors of being a civilian in a besieged city 687 | * survival RPG 688 | * Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One 689 | * Steam ($) 690 | * [Wikipedia entry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_War_of_Mine) 691 | 692 | #### SOMA 693 | 694 | * [somagame.com](http://somagame.com/) 695 | * existentialism, transhumanism, mind-uploading 696 | * survival first-person perspective 697 | * PlayStation 4, Windows, OS X, Linux 698 | * Steam ($) 699 | * (this one even more subjective, just one allowing to *feel* some *philosophical* problems) 700 | 701 | 702 | ### Bonus 703 | 704 | #### (prototype) Grounded: Circuits 705 | 706 | * [sjbyrnes.com/1235](http://sjbyrnes.com/1235/) 707 | * electric circuits 708 | * 'hydrodynamical' simulation 709 | * web (free of charge) 710 | 711 | #### (side note) Vim shortcuts gamified 712 | 713 | If it is possible to gamify such seemingly boring things as learning keyboard shortcuts, then the sky's the limit! 714 | 715 | * [vim-adventures.com](http://vim-adventures.com/) 716 | * [www.vimsnake.com](http://www.vimsnake.com/) 717 | * unclear license status, repo: [https://github.com/patmood/vim_snake](https://github.com/patmood/vim_snake) 718 | 719 | ## Meta 720 | 721 | ### How to contribute 722 | 723 | #### Content 724 | 725 | The easiest way is to edit this file, commit and create a Pull Request. 726 | 727 | Remember to include: 728 | 729 | * working link (and its nicer version), e.g. `[immunology-fps.edu](https://immunology-fps.edu)` 730 | * field of science or engineering, e.g. `immunology` 731 | * type of game `first-person shooter` 732 | * (optional) technology or system, e.g. `Android, iOS, web` 733 | * (optional) link to additional materials (e.g. repo, some interesting blog post about this game) 734 | 735 | A game needs to fit this category and it needs to have science-based mechanics (not only theme!) as its major part as: 736 | 737 | > Any sufficiently advanced game is indistinguishable from a science-based game. - [PM, HN comment](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14662356) 738 | 739 | Also, for games from typical genres, the bar is much higher. It is not enough that "you learn about ancient warfare" or "you explore outer space". 740 | As a rule of thumb, mainstream games don't fit here (with the exception of Kerbal Space Program). 741 | 742 | When a game is free ([as in freedom, not price](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html)), the license and code repository will be stated when possible. Please note that unless otherwise stated, the game is proprietary *or* a license can't be found. 743 | 744 | #### Form 745 | 746 | If you want to change its form, you are invited as well - but then create your fork (and I would be happy to hear about it!). 747 | 748 | All remarks, questions or discussions go to https://github.com/stared/science-based-games-list/issues/ (or [@pmigdal Twitter](https://twitter.com/pmigdal)). 749 | 750 | ### Ideas 751 | 752 | * Do it in YAML? (To make it more semantic.) 753 | * Make it more visual? (In the line of https://github.com/EliotAndres/kaggle-past-solutions.) 754 | * Add other fields like release date or dev status? 755 | * Add some standardized (600x400?) screenshots? 756 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------