Science-based games

The list is essentially about educational based games that nailed entertainment (with a focus on scientific phenomenon). - mettamage on HN

Here is a collaborative notepad with educational/science games, i.e. games that are:

• capturing parts of real scientific phenomena (including social science, medicine, etc),
• actually playable (you can play them for fun, not ones "for classroom only").

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.

This is a collaborative list dedicated to the public domain (CC0), where everyone is welcomed to contribute! See: how to contribute. It was started, and is being maintained, by Piotr Migdał (the author of Quantum Game with Photons).

A mini table of contents: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Health, Mathematics, Sociology and economy, Humanities

Games

Physics

Velocity Raptor

• www.testtubegames.com/velocityraptor.html
• special relativity theory
  • contraction, time dilation, Doppler shift
• 2D arcade / puzzle
• on web (Flash) (free of charge)

Agent Higgs

• www.testtubegames.com/higgsflash.html
• elementary particles
  • charges, antiparticles, neutrino oscillations, decay
• puzzle (Atomix-like)
• iOS game (2 chapter free of charge, on web (Flash))

A slower speed of light

• gamelab.mit.edu/games/a-slower-speed-of-light
• special relativity theory
  • Doppler shift, geometric distortions
• 3D first person perspective walking
• free of charge
• MIT license: github.com/MITGameLab/OpenRelativity

Chromatron

• silverspaceship.com/chromatron
• geometric optics
• puzzle
• warning: a few elements are unreal (most are real, though)
• MacOS, Windows (free of charge)

Kerbal Space Program

• kerbalspaceprogram.com
• Newtonian physics, space program
• strategy
• GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($)

Delta V

• deltav.corpsmoderne.net
• Newtonian physics, orbital mechanics
• simulation
• on web (free of charge)

Bond Breaker

• testtubegames.com/bondbreaker.html
• electrostatics, chemistry
• 2d puzzle/action
• web, Android, iOS (free of charge)

Meqanic

• www.meqanic.com/app
• quantum computation and quantum information
• puzzle / blocks
• web (free of charge), iOS ($)

Relativity Wars

• www.fungameco.com/relativity-wars.php
• space arcade / RTS
• some parts of relativity
• Android ($), iOS ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($)

Quantum Game with Photons

• quantumgame.io
• quantum mechanics, quantum optics
• puzzle / board / simulator
• web (free of charge)
• MIT license: github.com/stared/quantum-game
• blog post: Quantum mechanics for high-school students

Quantum Marble Maze

• tropic.org.uk/~crispin/quantum/
• quantum mechanics, continuous wavefunction
• puzzle / action / simulator
• Java application (free and open source)
• GPL based: LICENSE.txt
• blog post: Learning Quantum Mechanics the Easy Way

Quantum Moves, Quantum Minds

• www.scienceathome.org/games
• adiabatic processes for quantum states
• puzzle / action
• citizen science
• Quantum Moves (free of charge): GNU/Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS
• Quantum Minds (free of charge): MacOS, Windows

The Electric Shocktopus

• testtubegames.com/shocktopus.html
• electromagnetism
• platformer
• web (free of charge), GNU/Linux ($) , MacOS ($), Windows ($)

High Frontier

• boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/172737/high-frontier-3rd-edition
• models space mission logistics
• living game board and rules incorporate actual data as it is discovered
• realistic resource usage and physics modeling
• board game ($)

Osmos

• www.osmos-game.com
• gravity and conservation of momentum
• puzzle / action / strategy
• GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($), Android ($), iOS ($)

HelloQuantum

• helloquantum.mybluemix.net
• quantum operations on 2 quibits
• puzzle
• iOS (free)
• blog post: Hello Quantum: Taking your first steps into quantum computation
• its terminal-based open-source version: https://github.com/decodoku/Quantum_Programming_Tutorial

Chemistry

Covalence

• boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/184663/covalence-molecule-building-game
• molecules
• board game ($)

Ion

• boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/174611/ion-compound-building-game
• compounds
• board game ($)

Biology

Cellcraft

• www.kongregate.com/games/cellcraft/cellcraft
• cell biology
• real-time strategy
• web-based Flash (free of charge)

Meta!Blast

• www.metablast.org or metnet-mbl.gdcb.iastate.edu
• plant and cell biology
• flight simulator
• nice descriptions of encountered elements
• MacOS, Windows (free of charge)

Foldit

• fold.it
• protein conformation
• 3d puzzle
• citizen science
• GNU/Linux, MacOS, Windows (free of charge)

Pathogenesis

• boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/199309/pathogenesis
• pathogens and immune response
• a deck building game
• board game ($)
• it was a successful Kickstarter project

Evolution: the origin of species

• boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/71021/evolution-origin-species
• evolution
• card game ($)

Cytosis

• boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/202977/cytosis-cell-biology-game
• cell biology
• board game ($)

Linkage

• boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/157586/linkage-dna-card-game
• molecular genetics
• board game ($)

Peptide

• boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/166298/peptide-protein-building-game
• proteins
• board game ($)

Virulence

• boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/202207/virulence-infectious-card-game
• viruses
• board game ($)

Digestix

• learning.alimentarium.ch/en/games
• digestion
• tower defense
• Android, iOS (soon on web) (free of charge)

Bios: Genesis

• boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/98918/bios-genesis
• players start as organic compounds shortly after Earth's formation
• create autocatalytic life and Darwinian life
• Players can play cooperative, competitive, or solitaire.
• board game ($)

Computer science

Turing Game

• turing-game.pl
• Turing tape, programming
• puzzle
• web (free of charge)

Spacechem

• http://www.spacechemthegame.com
• algorithms
• puzzle
• Android ($), GNU/Linux ($), Windows ($)

Code Master - The Ultimate Coding Board Game

• http://www.thinkfun.com/products/code-master/
• algorithms, programming
• board game ($)

Colobot

• https://colobot.info/
• programming multiple, possibly interacting, robots
• GNU/Linux, MacOS, Windows (free of charge)
• GNU GPLv3+ license: http://github.com/colobot

TIS-100

• www.zachtronics.com/tis-100
• programming
• multiple very constrained CPUs + communication
• SpaceChem-style optimization
• GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($)

Shenzhen I/O

• www.zachtronics.com/shenzhen-io
• programming
• puzzle
• author of other games: http://www.zachtronics.com/ including SpaceChem
• see also: Lessons Learned from Shenzhen I/O
• GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($)

Opus Magnum

• www.zachtronics.com/opus-magnum/
• programming
• puzzle
• author of other games: http://www.zachtronics.com/ including SpaceChem, TIS 100, Shenzhen I/O
• GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($)

Robozzle

• http://www.robozzle.com/
• algorithms
• puzzle
• user-generated content
• web, Android, iOS, Windows Phone (free of charge)
• part proprietary, part Ms-PL license: http://robozzle.codeplex.com/)

Human Resource Machine

• https://tomorrowcorporation.com/humanresourcemachine
• programming
• puzzle
• automation and optimization
• from the designers of Little Inferno and World of Goo
• GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($), Android ($), iOS ($), Wii U ($)

Hour of Code

• https://code.org/learn
• many puzzle games about programming and algorithms
• some famous licenses (e.g., Minecraft, Disney)
• web-based (free of charge)
• part proprietary, part Apache 2.0: https://github.com/code-dot-org/code-dot-org

Decodoku

• http://decodoku.com/
• quantum computation
• quantum error correction
• citizen science
• Web / Mac / Windows / Android / iPhone (free of charge)
• see also: Decodoku in 2017
• MIT license: https://github.com/decodoku

Cube Composer

• david-peter.de/cube-composer/
• functional programming
• puzzle games
• web-based (free of charge)
• MIT license: https://github.com/sharkdp/cube-composer

Untrusted —or— the Continuing Adventures of Dr. Eval

• alexnisnevich.github.io/untrusted/
• programming in JavaScript
• roguelike, puzzle
• web, JavaScript (free of charge)
• dual licensed proprietary and CC BY-NC-SA 3.0: https://github.com/AlexNisnevich/untrusted

Factorio

• factorio.com
• simulation building
• collect resources and design factories
• automate all aspects of factory production
• Windows ($), Mac ($), GNU/Linux ($)

Infinifactory

• www.zachtronics.com/infinifactory/
• algorithms, optimization
• puzzle
• Like a cross between SpaceChem and Factorio
• Windows ($), Mac ($), GNU/Linux ($)

Google Turing Doodle

• https://www.google.com/doodles/alan-turings-100th-birthday
• Turing tape programming
• puzzle games
• web-based (free of charge)
• Apache license: https://github.com/google/turing-doodle

WarriorJS

• warrior.js.org
• programming and AI
• code-writing
• web-based (free of charge)
• MIT License: https://github.com/olistic/warriorjs

Health

Lifesaver

• www.life-saver.org.uk
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• interactive video story, fast-paced
• web-based (Flash) (free of charge)

Vax!

• vax.herokuapp.com
• epidemic prevention, vaccination, network science

Mathematics

SET

• www.setgame.com
• addition in finite field (Z_3^4)
• real-time card game ($)
• Set (game) - Wikipedia and Which popular games are the most mathematical? - MathOverflow

A game of numbers

• agameofnumbers.com
  • also: playable demo
  • Ludum Dare - an almost success story
• arithmetic
• puzzle/maze
• GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($)

HyperRogue

• www.roguetemple.com/z/hyper/
• geometry of hyperbolic plane
• a rogue-like game
• GNU/Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Pandora (pay-what-you-want)
• GNU GPLv2 license: https://github.com/zenorogue/hyperrogue, partly proprietary on Android and iOS

HydraSlayer

• www.roguetemple.com/z/hydra/
• arithmetic, a bit of number theory
• a rogue-like game
• GNU/Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android (pay-what-you-want)
• license: version 17 and Android version GNU GPLv2 (code on homepage); version 18 appears to be proprietary

Mathbreakers

• www.mathbreakers.com
• arithmetics
• 3d adventure game
• GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($) with free of charge demo

Euclid the Game

• euclidthegame.com
• planar geometry
• web (link above looks dead, though), iOS
• MIT license: https://github.com/euclidthegame/euclidthegame.iOS

Euclidea

• euclidea
• planar geometry
• web, Android, iOS (free of charge)

Engare

• Engare (and Engare on Steam)
• geometry, curves
• motion puzzle
• MacOS ($), Windows ($)

Refractions

• centerforgamescience.org/blog/portfolio/refraction
  • Refractions 2 for iPad
• fractions
• puzzle
• paper on optimizing: http://grail.cs.washington.edu/projects/ordering/
• web, iOS (free of charge)

Havel-Hakimi

• jacquerie.github.io/hh/
• graph theory
• puzzle
• web (free of charge)
• MIT license: https://github.com/jacquerie/hh

Sociology and economy

Peacemaker

• www.peacemakergame.com
• Israel-Palestine peace process (unfortunately outdated and too optimistic)
• strategy
• Android ($), iOS ($), Kindle Fire ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($)

Democracy 3

• www.positech.co.uk/democracy3
• democracy, ruling country
• turn-based economical strategy
• GNU/Linux ($), MacOS ($), Windows ($)

Parable of the Polygons

• ncase.me/polygons
• social diversity, racial segregation (and phase transitions)
• agent-based simulation
• web (free of charge)
• CC0 license: https://github.com/ncase/polygons

Humanities

philo: socratic games

• gregkarber.com/philo
• simple 2d platformers (puzzle, not - action)
• philosophical concepts, fallacies
• web (free of charge)
• CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license

Socrates Jones: Pro Philosopher

• Play online on Kongregate or Newsgrounds
• visual novel based on Ace Attorney series
• different concepts of ethics

Snakisms

• pippinbarr.github.io/SNAKISMS/
• variants of the Snake game
• philosophical concepts
• web (free of charge)

Life experience games

There are a few games that feel somewhat related (even if not that much science-based). I (@stared) considered putting them in psychology/sociology, but it turned out to be a controversial issue. Again, what is crucial - it's not about only about theme, but game mechanics aligned with experiencing a difficult life situation.

Depression Quest

• www.depressionquest.com
• living with depression
• text-based game (with choices based on energy/motivation - even though other options are visible)
• web (free), Steam ($)

This War of Mine

• store.steampowered.com/app/282070/This_War_of_Mine/
• horrors of being a civilian in a besieged city
• survival RPG
• Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Steam ($)
• Wikipedia entry

SOMA

• somagame.com
• existentialism, transhumanism, mind-uploading
• survival first-person perspective
• PlayStation 4, Windows, OS X, Linux
• Steam ($)
• (this one even more subjective, just one allowing to feel some philosophical problems)

Bonus

(prototype) Grounded: Circuits

• sjbyrnes.com/1235
• electric circuits
• 'hydrodynamical' simulation
• web (free of charge)

(side note) Vim shortcuts gamified

If it is possible to gamify such seemingly boring things as learning keyboard shortcuts, then the sky's the limit!

• vim-adventures.com
• www.vimsnake.com
  • unclear license status, repo: https://github.com/patmood/vim_snake

Meta

How to contribute

Content

The easiest way is to edit this file, commit and create a Pull Request.

Remember to include:

• working link (and its nicer version), e.g. [immunology-fps.edu](https://immunology-fps.edu)
• field of science or engineering, e.g. immunology
• type of game first-person shooter
• (optional) technology or system, e.g. Android, iOS, web
• (optional) link to additional materials (e.g. repo, some interesting blog post about this game)

A game needs to fit this category and it needs to have science-based mechanics (not only theme!) as its major part as:

Any sufficiently advanced game is indistinguishable from a science-based game. - PM, HN comment

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". As a rule of thumb, mainstream games don't fit here (with the exception of Kerbal Space Program).

When a game is free (as in freedom, not price), 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.

Form

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!).

All remarks, questions or discussions go to https://github.com/stared/science-based-games-list/issues/ (or @pmigdal Twitter).

Ideas

• Do it in YAML? (To make it more semantic.)
• Make it more visual? (In the line of https://github.com/EliotAndres/kaggle-past-solutions.)
• Add other fields like release date or dev status?
• Add some standardized (600x400?) screenshots?