Daniel Knowles

ica

intergalactic code academy

go to intergalactic code academy

visit the repo

Welcome to Intergalactic Code Academy, an innovative educational game platform that transforms coding education into an engaging space exploration adventure. By combining immersive gameplay with practical programming challenges, we've created a unique learning environment where students master real-world development skills while navigating through a beautifully crafted celestial universe.

What Intergalactic Code Academy Offers:

Immersive Learning Environment: Our canvas-based space navigation system creates a truly engaging experience. Players pilot their ships between custom-designed celestial bodies, each representing different programming disciplines and learning paths. This approach transforms traditional coding tutorials into an adventure that keeps learners motivated and excited about their progress.

Specialized Learning Stations: Each station in our universe is carefully crafted to focus on specific development skills. From Syntaxia’s Logic Labs to Chromanova’s Design Dockyards and QuantumCore’s Algorithm Accelerators, every location offers unique challenges and learning opportunities tailored to different aspects of software development.

Dynamic Mission Control: Mission Control serves as the starting planet, introducing players to foundational programming concepts like variables, data types, and simple functions. It provides a solid base to ensure learners are well-prepared for more advanced challenges on other planets.

Progressive Learning System: Rather than traditional tutorials, we implement practical, space-themed coding challenges that gradually increase in complexity. This approach ensures learners build a solid foundation while maintaining engagement through our unique theme.

AI NPCs: Coming soon, each station will feature AI-driven NPCs who act as mentors, tutors, or challengers. These NPCs will provide personalized feedback, hints, and adaptive challenges, making the learning experience more interactive and supportive.

Technical Architecture

Framework: Next.js 15.1.2 (App Router)

Core Language: TypeScript

Database: MongoDB

Authentication: NextAuth

Game Interface: HTML5 Canvas

Styling: Tailwind CSS

State Management: Zustand

Testing: Jest, React Testing Library

Deployment: Vercel

Key Features Implemented

Dynamic Game Engine: Our responsive canvas setup ensures smooth ship movement across all device sizes, featuring a dynamic star background and precise collision detection for interactive elements.

Station System: Each learning station features custom-designed planets with intuitive hover effects. Station positions are dynamically calculated based on screen size, ensuring optimal spacing and accessibility.

Code Evaluation System: A dedicated server, running in a Docker container, evaluates and compiles code written by players in multiple languages. This ensures a seamless coding experience within the game while maintaining security and scalability.

Scalable Code Architecture: Built with scalability in mind, our project maintains a clean Next.js file structure with comprehensive TypeScript types and interfaces. Custom utility functions handle complex drawing operations while efficient state management ensures smooth gameplay.