☕ My First Java Game · 7 Episodes · All Free
☕ Beginner Friendly · Java · Ages 11+

My First
Java Game

Learn real Java by building 7 games from scratch — no experience needed. Each workshop teaches new skills through interactive quizzes and code challenges, from the game loop to a full RPG.

🧑 Ages 11+ ✓ Completely Free ☕ Java 👨‍👧 Parent & Child ✓ No Experience Needed
🚀 Start with Episode 1 →
7
Episodes
42+
Steps
11+
Age
Free
Always
The Full Series

7 Projects to Build Step by Step

Start at Episode 1 to install Java and write your first game loop. Each game adds new skills, ending with a three-part RPG that ties everything together.

Ep 1
🏃
⭐ Start Here · Setup · Game Loop · Gravity
Simple Platformer
Install Java and build your first game: a player that runs, jumps with gravity and lands on platforms. Learn classes, the game loop, keyboard input and collision.
Ages 11+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →
Ep 2
🧱
2D Arrays · Bounce Physics
Brick Breaker
Bounce a ball off your paddle to smash a wall of bricks. Learn 2D arrays, bounce physics, paddle spin and a lives system.
Ages 11+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →
Ep 3
👾
ArrayLists · Waves · Cleanup
Space Shooter
Pilot a ship, fire lasers and blast waves of aliens. Master ArrayLists of bullets and enemies, spawning, object cleanup and rising difficulty.
Ages 11+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →
Ep 4
🏓
Two-Player · AI · Game States
Pong Classic
Recreate the 1972 legend with two paddles, scoring and a computer opponent — your first game AI, plus proper menu and game-over states.
Ages 11+ 6 Steps · ~1.5 hrs Start Building →
Ep 5
🗡️
RPG 1/3 · Class Design · Tile Maps
RPG Quest Part 1
Begin the finale. Design a hero with stats and inventory using real class design, and build a tile-map world to explore.
Ages 11+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →
Ep 6
🏰
RPG 2/3 · Monsters · Combat
RPG Quest Part 2
Fill your world with monsters and a full turn-based battle system — attack, defend, flee — plus XP and level-ups when you win.
Ages 11+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →
Ep 7
👑
RPG 3/3 · Quests · Boss
RPG Quest Part 3
Finish the quest: a talking NPC with a real quest, a locked dragon gate, a multi-phase boss battle and the ending your hero deserves.
Ages 11+ 6 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →
Before You Start

What You Need

Java is free and runs on any computer. Everything you need is walked through in Episode 1.

☕
Java JDK (Free)
Download the free JDK from adoptium.net. It is the toolkit that compiles and runs your Java games.
✓ Free · adoptium.net
💻
A Code Editor
VS Code with the Java Extension Pack, or IntelliJ IDEA Community — both free and beginner friendly.
✓ Free
🖥️
Windows, Mac or Linux
Java runs everywhere. Any computer from the last 8 years handles these 2D games easily.
Any OS
📐
No Experience Needed
We explain every line of Java as we write it. If you can follow steps and type carefully, you can build these.
✓ Beginner Friendly
🛠️ Free Browser Tools

Design Your Assets

Use these free browser tools alongside the workshops to design sprites, levels and sound for your Java games.

🎨
Pixel Studio
Draw pixel art sprites and animations for your characters and enemies. Export as PNG to use in your game.
Open Tool →
🗺️
Level Designer
Sketch out level layouts, platforms and enemy positions before you build them in code.
Open Tool →
🔊
SFX Generator
Generate retro sound effects — jumps, shoots, pickups, game over — and export them as WAV files.
Open Tool →
🖌️
Colour Palette
Build a game-ready colour palette so your art stays consistent. Export hex values to use anywhere.
Open Tool →
See all free dev tools →

Ready to build your first Java game?

Install the free JDK, open a code editor, then start Episode 1. You will have a playable platformer running in about two hours.

🚀 Start Episode 1 → 📊 Track My Progress

Questions & Answers

Do I need to know Java before starting?
No. Episode 1 starts with installing Java and writing your very first program. We explain every keyword and line as we go.
Is Java really free?
Yes. The JDK (from Adoptium/Eclipse Temurin) and editors like VS Code and IntelliJ Community are all completely free.
What will I build?
A platformer, a brick breaker, a space shooter, Pong with an AI opponent, and a full three-part RPG with a map, monsters, combat and a dragon boss.
What age is it suitable for?
Ages 11+ works well. Java is more text-heavy than Scratch or GameMaker, so it suits learners comfortable typing and reading code carefully.
Do the workshops save my progress?
Yes. Each workshop tracks your XP, streaks and completed steps, and reports to the My Progress page where you can earn badges and certificates.
Is it really free?
All 7 episodes, forever. No ads, no paywall, no sign-up needed.
🚀 Keep Going

Where to next?

Finished here, or just curious? These series are a natural next step, same step-by-step format, bigger games.

⚙️
My First C++ Game
Systems programming with SFML.
Ages 12+ Start →
🔷
My First Unity Game
2D & 3D games with C#.
Ages 10+ Start →
🕹️
My First Godot Engine Game
2D games from scratch with GDScript.
Ages 10+ Start →
Browse all workshops →