PC $8.99 Region US
Games Indie JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator
JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator — header artwork
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Indie · Prof. Scherer

JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator

JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator
Content rating unavailable
Steam Deck Unsupported Windows
Mostly Positive · 78% of 381
DeveloperProf. Scherer
GenreIndie
$8.99 -50%
Get it at steam
Buy now Chip's verdict · US updated 13 hr. ago

Well reviewed at 78% positive, and only 0% of the way from its all-time low to full price. It rarely gets better than this.

Why this verdict
Price position between all-time low and full price 0%
All-time low $8.99 · 1d ago
Current discount -50% off $17.99
Player reviews 78% positive of 381
Quality score 78/100
Value score 100/100

Offers

Accepted regional prices from official stores

Official stores (1)
steam
checked 13 hr. ago Best price
steam, Official, 50% off, $8.99
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Packs and bundles (4)

Multi-item packages that include this game

About this game

What this game is, in the developer's words

Use real Python code to automate machines, robots, drones and more: Program self-driving vehicles; crack passwords; apply machine learning; automate logistics; use image processing to guide missiles. Gain real coding skills and solve exciting bite-sized programming challenges.

JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator is an immersive 3D programming puzzle game about automating and controlling realistic machines, robots, drones and more using real Python code. Build actual coding skills while playing, solve exciting bite-sized programming challenges and progress to unlock new programming features and improved machinery. Prior programming knowledge recommended.

Automate logistics to quickly transport items    Stabilize robots with control feedback (PIDs)
 

Write navigation code for cars           Crack passwords with brute-force
 

Solve classical algorithms and data-structures  Accurately control sniper rifles
 

Use image processing to count coins              Apply computer vision to guide missiles
 

Get it now and dive into your programming adventure!

A Fair Warning

JOY OF PROGRAMMING is not a casual game. In fact, it is one of the most difficult games on Steam. It offers the real programming experience: Lots of thinking, hard work, gathering information, debugging and some frustrations. But you will also learn new skills, become a better developer, and most of all enjoy that sweet sensation of finally cracking a hard problem.

Features

  • Tutorial levels to get you started with the programming concepts in JOY OF PROGRAMMING

  • Create your own puzzles with the included level-editor

  • Find collectible factsheets with interesting computer-science tidbits

  • Earn stars by completing levels and use them to unlock new programming features

  • Work towards achieving many different certificates for completing all levels in one category

  • Real programming: No pseudo code, no imaginary language. Instead, fully functional python code with your favourite packages like numpy, pandas, scipy, pillow, sklearn and more. Some basic prior programming knowledge (in Python or otherwise) and a strong interested in programming is recommended.

  • In-game IDE: A codemirror based in-game Python IDE offers syntax highlighting, auto-completion, docstring tooltips, debugging, auto-indentation, code-folding, copy/paste and undo/redo. Advanced users can also opt to use external IDEs like VSCode or PyCharm instead.

  • Realistic challenges: From robotics to abstract algorithms and creative coding - the full breadth and depth of computer-science awaits.

  • Open puzzle design: Each level has many different valid solutions.

  • Clear goals: Each level has one mandatory goal and up to three optional goals.

  • Immediate feedback: Never wonder whether your code is working. Get immediate, incremental feedback on each good (or bad) step towards a working solution.

  • Performance metrics: Compare your best solution anonymously with others with respect to speed, memory usage and code length.

  • No hard locks: Never get stuck on a single level, there are always several open challenges available.

  • Optionally submit your solution and your code to the leaderboards and share it with the world.

Designed By A Computer Science Professor

The game is developed primarily by a single developer, who also happens to be a computer science professor. An accompanying Youtube series by the developer provides example solutions for several of the levels and walks through them step-by-step.

Level Editor

An innovative Python based level editor allows creating and scripting entirely new levels with exciting new challenges. Optionally, these new levels can also be shared with the community via the game's Workshop.

Happy Coding and get JOY OF PROGRAMMING now!

Media

Trailers and screenshots straight from the store page

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Price intelligence

Accepted price history and the lows that matter

Historical lows
All-time low ATL $8.99 2026-07-14
3-month low $8.99
12-month low $8.99
Current $8.99
Price events From the accepted price history · updates automatically
Jul 14, 2026
Sale started · -50% to $8.99
Jul 14, 2026
New all-time low $8.99
Jul 11, 2026
Sale ended · back to $17.99

JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator price history and best deals

JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator for PC currently sells from $8.99 at authorized stores. Its all-time low is $8.99, set on 2026-07-14. That is 50% off the $17.99 list price.

Frequently asked questions

Answered from this game's own price and edition data

Should I buy JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator now or wait?
Our verdict is buy. The best official price is $8.99, which sits 0% of the way from its all-time low to full price. It rarely gets cheaper than a good sale, so this is a fair time to catch it.
Is $8.99 a good price for JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator?
$8.99 sits 0% of the way from the all-time low of $8.99 to the full price, a 50% discount. That is close to the best it has ever been.
Where can I buy JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator?
JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator is tracked at steam. We only list authorized stores here and always link out with a clean outbound link.
Scores
Steam reviews Mostly Positive · 78%
78% positive of 381
Media (14)
Tech
Steam DeckUnsupported
SteamOSSupported
Requirements
System requirements platform
Minimum
Minimum:
  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 10/11, x64 only
  • Processor: Core i5 8400, Ryzen 5 2600
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: GTX 1070
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 12 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: SSD recommended
Recommended
Recommended:
  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 10/11, x64 only
  • Processor: Core i7 9700k, Ryzen 7 3700X
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: RTX 2070
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 12 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: SSD recommended
Minimum
Minimum:
    Recommended
    Recommended:
      Minimum
      Minimum:
        Recommended
        Recommended:
          Achievements (46)
          EarnStars1 91.8%
          GameTime1 40.8%
          CertTutorial_Complete 38.9%
          LinesOfCode10 37.3%
          HasTalkedToAssistant 27.8%
          HistBeat50 27.3%
          HistBeat75 26.9%
          GameTime2 25.6%
          Facts
          DeveloperProf. Scherer
          PublisherPlayWay S.A.
          ModesSingle-player
          Links
          Ratings
          dejus10
          igrs13
          steam_germany12
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