⚙️ Beginner Friendly · C++ · SFML · Ages 12+

My First
C++ Game

Learn C++ , the language behind Unreal and most AAA studios , by building 7 games with SFML. Interactive quizzes and code challenges take you from Pong to a full tower defence.

🧑 Ages 12+ ✓ Completely Free ⚙️ C++ & SFML 👨‍👧 Parent & Child ✓ No Experience Needed

🚀 Start with Episode 1 →

7 Projects to Build Step by Step

Start at Episode 1 to set up a compiler and SFML and build Pong. Each game adds new skills, ending with a two-part tower defence.

Ep 1

🏓

⭐ Start Here · Setup · Delta Time · AI

Pong in C++

Your first C++ game with SFML: two paddles, a bouncing ball, scoring and an AI. Learn the toolchain, the game loop and frame-rate-independent movement.

Ages 12+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →

Ep 2

🐍

std::deque · Grid · Ticks

Snake in C++

The 1997 classic in modern C++: a std::deque body, grid movement on a timer, food, self-collision and speed-up. A data-structures lesson in disguise.

Ages 12+ 6 Steps · ~1.5 hrs Start Building →

Ep 3

🧱

Classes · std::vector

Breakout in C++

Breakout the C++ way: a Brick class, std::vector, constructors and side-aware collision. Your first real object-oriented C++.

Ages 12+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →

Ep 4

🏃

Player Class · dt Physics

C++ Platformer

Gravity, jumping, platforms and coins with a proper Player class, delta-time physics and clean separation of update and draw.

Ages 12+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →

Ep 5

🌲

Enemies · sf::View Camera

Platformer Part 2

Ship a full game: an Enemy class with stomps, an sf::View scrolling camera, spikes, checkpoints and multi-level structure.

Ages 12+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →

Ep 6

🏰

TD 1/2 · Vectors · Economy

Tower Defence Part 1

Begin the finale: path-following enemies, grid-snapped tower placement, a gold economy and range targeting with real vector maths.

Ages 12+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →

Ep 7

⚔️

TD 2/2 · Waves · Boss

Tower Defence Part 2

Finish it: towers fire homing bullets, enemies arrive in escalating waves, kills pay bounties, towers upgrade and a boss leads the final assault.

Ages 12+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →

What You Need

A compiler and SFML are both free. Episode 1 walks through setting up the whole toolchain step by step.

⚙️

A C++ Compiler (Free)

MSYS2 (g++) on Windows, Xcode tools on Mac, or g++ on Linux. All free , we walk through installing one in Episode 1.

✓ Free

🎮

SFML (Free)

The free Simple and Fast Multimedia Library handles windows, drawing, input and sound. Installed in Episode 1.

✓ Free · sfml-dev.org

💻

A Code Editor

VS Code or any editor you like. Combined with the compiler, that is your whole C++ setup.

✓ Free

📐

Some Typing Confidence

C++ is stricter than Python or Java. We explain every line, but it suits learners comfortable reading code.

Ages 12+

Questions & Answers

Do I need to know C++ before starting?

No, but C++ is a stricter language, so some prior coding (Scratch, Python) helps. Episode 1 sets up everything and explains each line.

Is C++ and SFML really free?

Yes. Compilers like g++, editors like VS Code, and the SFML library are all completely free and open-source.

What will I build?

Pong with delta-time physics, Snake with a deque, Breakout with real classes, a platformer, and a two-part tower defence with waves, upgrades and a boss.

What age is it suitable for?

Ages 12+ works best. C++ manages more detail than Python or Java, so it suits learners ready for a stricter, more powerful language.

Why learn C++ if it is harder?

C++ powers Unreal Engine and most console and AAA games. Learning it in pure SFML makes engines like Unreal feel much easier later.

Is it really free?

All 7 episodes, forever. No ads, no paywall, no sign-up needed.

My First
C++ Game

7 Projects to Build Step by Step

What You Need

Design Your Assets

Ready to build your first C++ game?

Questions & Answers

Where to next?

My FirstC++ Game

7 Projects to Build Step by Step

What You Need

Design Your Assets

Ready to build your first C++ game?

Questions & Answers

Where to next?

My First
C++ Game