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!
I’m completely with you
But I’m absolutely no familiar with modding since a long time and have no clue, if there would be many tutorials for Linux or if everything runs
I think Roblox e.g. doesn’t run on Linux?
Minecraft was just possible with a different launcher, iirc.
I don’t want to spend a day just setting up his environment - well, I do, but mostly for getting his system right. Getting stuck in something, that just maybe doesn’t work in his environment is frustrating.
I went to a technical school and programmed micro controllers to make a running light or blinking Christmas trees
But that’s just far too much, when he is only here for a week.
Here we call that “schnuppern”.
Pretty much means sniffing, you just get the first taste of something.
Means, it should be a good experience.
So… Although I do like the idea, especially with Minecraft modding, I’m not sure if it’s easily applicable
So currently I tend to the recommendation with the game “the farmer was replaced”
Reminds me of a challenge we had in our first week at the university, to just give an insight on logic and algorithmic thinking.
And as long as it works with Proton, it should just work and seems to step up the complexity, but still “gamecifact-ed”
I’ll try to have a look at Minecraft modding, because maybe that’s still cool - although he quit playing half a year ago or so - but I’ll need to verify, that it works.
And sadly the planned week is months earlier than expected - I’m having 3 weeks and at least one of them I’ll be on a business trip.
So, I need to keep it simple (read: just works) - and entertaining
Prism launcher works well on Linux and helps with keeping multiple versions of the game & multiple modpacks to keep stuff organized.
As for modding itself, it would need an IDE and build system, along with a bit of prep and research…
I think the programming game is definitely the way to go at first.
Though, knowing that modding is a possibility they can persue on their own in the future would still be good. Or maybe remind them of that once they gain some proficiency with the basic concepts.
Thanks
I’ll need to try this on my system first to have some steps ready
Will probably be a decision be available free time
But yeah, I also thing the finished game should falls more in the category of “just works” and with this limited time, this is probably be better option
Yes. My thinking is that they may persue game modding on their own; if not in the near future, possibly some years down the line. You won’t need to hold their hand that much if they discover a taste for it. That programming game definately wins in the short-term.