Is game programming a good way to develop your Python programming skills? This week we have Jon Fincher on the show. Jon is an author on the Real Python team, and we talk about his recent articles on PyGame and Arcade.

Jon talks about his background working at Microsoft. We discuss if a game would make a good portfolio piece. We compare and contrasts the two popular Python game libraries of Arcade and PyGame. Jon also reveals ways to find assets for your own creations.

Want your question featured on the show? Here’s a new thing we’re trying out. Send us your question at realpython.com/podcast-question and we might feature it on a future episode of the show.

Topics:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction
  • 00:00:56 – Jon Fincher
  • 00:05:17 – Start with Real Python
  • 00:07:08 – Is game programming a good way to learn?
  • 00:13:16 – Setting specific goals and limits
  • 00:19:28 – Is a game a good portfolio piece?
  • 00:21:07 – PyWeek 29
  • 00:22:58 – Al Sweigart books
  • 00:25:00 – Comparing PyGame and Arcade
  • 00:37:34 – Finding game art and other assets
  • 00:41:04 – Licensing game assets
  • 00:44:29 – Packaging your game and sharing
  • 00:47:34 – What are you excited about in the world of Python
  • 00:50:20 – Final Thoughts
  • 00:54:13 – Conclusion

Show links:

What are you excited about in the world of Python?

Jon’s pick:

Chris’s pick:

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