Hi!
Soon I’ll have my little nephew (13) in my company to check out software development for a week.
I’m working with large industry machines in real time Linux systems, so obviously I’d show him my test machine and if the customer agrees, I can show him some robots as well.
Also, he will get some crash course in computer basics.
He is an avid gamer - although not really good with computers.
I’ve gifted him a still nice laptop with Linux and Steam installed 1-2 years ago and he happily played Minecraft, but after some time he went back to his Switch 2.
Now he uses my Steam Deck - although that doesn’t make that much of a difference…
I’d like to give him something fun as an exercise, that’s is early rewarding.
Perfect would be, if he could code himself a little computer game, but that’s completely out of my normal work stuff and I don’t know what good options are available.
I guess starting with C++ and an Unreal engine or similar is more than an overkill.
Is there something, that is teaching the basics and gives rather quick rewards, which can produce a little something after 2-3 days?
Thank you all in advance!


Zachlikes aren’t all about coding, but most of them will get you in the mindset. My favorite of them is Infinifactory but there are ones that are literally about writing code.
For a continued theme of, essentially, visually programming, Factorio and Satisfactory are great automation games and there are lots of smaller names like them.
Duskers is an interesting game. I’ve only played it a little bit, but in it you use a text terminal to navigate a drone through derelict spaceships.
Most of those are not directly about coding, but they’re all adjacent and can help with reaching that headspace.
Sounds cool, thank you :-)