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wtf is learn_gamedev_with_love2d?

samgermain/learn_gamedev_with_love2d — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-08-03 · repo last pushed 2022-05-31

CAudience · generalComplexity · 1/5DormantSetup · easy

TL;DR

A complete summer camp curriculum teaching kids in grades 7-9 how to code and build video games using Love2D and Lua, with step-by-step lessons, code templates, and digital citizenship sessions.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Teaches kids game dev
      Multi-day curriculum
      Hands-on coding projects
    Tech stack
      Lua
      Love2D
      C
    Course content
      Coding basics
      Game physics and collision
      Digital citizenship
    Projects
      Quidditch game
      Pinball game
      Code templates
    Audience
      Camp counselors
      Young teenagers
      Beginner instructors

Code map

Detail Auto

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filefunction / class

Why would anyone build with this?

REASON 1

Run a summer camp teaching kids how to code and build their own video games.

REASON 2

Guide beginners through building playable games like Quidditch and Pinball using provided code templates.

REASON 3

Teach young teenagers digital citizenship, including online privacy and spotting phishing attempts.

What's in the stack?

LuaLove2DC

How it stacks up

samgermain/learn_gamedev_with_love2d0verflowme/radare2ac000/find-flv
LanguageCCC
Last pushed2022-05-312026-07-022013-04-05
MaintenanceDormantMaintainedDormant
Setup difficultyeasymoderatemoderate
Complexity1/54/52/5
Audiencegeneraldeveloperdeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you spin it up?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

Instructors need to install Love2D on student computers, but no coding experience or external infrastructure is required.

Wtf does this do

This repository is a complete teaching manual for a summer camp called Codemakers, aimed at kids in grades 7 through 9 who want to learn how to build their own video games. It provides a structured, multi-day curriculum where campers start with the absolute basics of writing code and work their way up to creating simple, playable games. The games are built using a tool called Love2D, which uses a programming language named Lua. The manual walks instructors through each lesson step by step. Campers start by learning fundamental concepts like variables, conditionals, and functions using everyday analogies, like deciding whether to buy milk at the grocery store. From there, they move into actual game development, learning how to create objects that move, bounce, and collide with each other on screen, and how to control a game's camera. The curriculum is very hands-on. Campers build several specific projects, including a Quidditch game and a Pinball game, by filling in code templates that are provided to them. Beyond just coding, the camp also includes a session on digital citizenship, teaching kids how to evaluate whether online information is legitimate, how to protect their privacy, and how to spot common hacking tricks like phishing and fake Wi-Fi networks. This project is designed for educators or camp counselors running introductory programming workshops for young teenagers. It provides the exact schedule, code examples, and teaching analogies needed to guide beginners through their first coding experience, even if the instructor is not an expert developer. The focus is heavily on learning by doing, with kids writing real code and seeing their games come to life on screen.

Yoink these prompts

Prompt 1
Help me set up Love2D on my computer so I can start teaching kids how to make video games with Lua.
Prompt 2
Walk me through the Quidditch game code template from this curriculum and explain what parts the campers need to fill in.
Prompt 3
I'm running a coding camp for grades 7-9. How should I structure the first day using this curriculum to teach variables and conditionals?
Prompt 4
Explain the digital citizenship lesson from this camp curriculum so I can teach kids about phishing and fake Wi-Fi networks.

Frequently asked questions

wtf is learn_gamedev_with_love2d?

A complete summer camp curriculum teaching kids in grades 7-9 how to code and build video games using Love2D and Lua, with step-by-step lessons, code templates, and digital citizenship sessions.

What language is learn_gamedev_with_love2d written in?

Mainly C. The stack also includes Lua, Love2D, C.

Is learn_gamedev_with_love2d actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2022-05-31).

How hard is learn_gamedev_with_love2d to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is learn_gamedev_with_love2d for?

Mainly general.

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