About This Game

Instruct little Square with a [Python like scripting language], to reach goals

In while True: move("right"), built for fun/education

Key Features

  • the game uses in game python-like syntax
    Use familiar constructs—variables, for/while loops, and built-in functions (print, sleep, len, range)—to solve each puzzle.

  • in game commands
    • move(dx,dy) or move("right") — step your avatar one cell
    • is_block(x,y) / is_goal(x,y) — check for walls or the goal ahead
    • get_pos_x(), get_pos_y() / get_goal_x(), get_goal_y() — read coordinates
    • say("…") — display messages in the world
    • submit(value?) — finish the level and send back your result

    • Example Script
    def routine():
    while True:
        move(1, 0) # direction to move
        if is_goal(get_pos_x(), get_pos_y()):
            break
    say("reached")
# call the function
routine()

Thanks for checking the game! The game is still in prototype stage, and I’d love to hear any suggestions or ideas for future improvements.

FAQ

  • What language does the player use?
    The game uses a simple, Python-like scripting language. You don’t need to know full Python—just the basics (variables, loops, functions) are enough.
  • Did I embed something special to run the scripts?
    No external engine: the in-game scripting language was hard-coded from scratch in Unity3D C#.
  • What features does it support so far?
    • Nested functions
    • Nested lists
    • Data types: number, string, list
    • Basic operations: ==, !=, >, <, >=, <=, and, or, not, bitwise ops
  • What’s coming next?
    The game right now is still in prototype stage: Classes and dictionaries are on the roadmap! would love to hear any improvements/suggestions for future build
More information

Download

Download NowName your own price

Click download now to get access to the following files:

while True move v2.0 [prototype].zip 24 MB
while True move GMTK v1.1.zip 23 MB

Development log

Comments

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Igor Konyakhin126 days ago(+1)

As a programmer, I spent 35 playing the game, but I didn't quite understand what is going. Your video shows that the camera should be moving with a character, but in-game it doesn't, so the second level is getting solved blind.

I solved 3rd level with:

def _A():

    gx = -100

    gy = -100

    found = False

    d = 20

    for xx in range(5, d):

        say(xx)

        for yy in range(-d, d):

            if is_goal(get_pos_x()+xx, get_pos_y()+yy):

                gx = get_pos_x() + xx

                gy = get_pos_y() + yy

                found = True

                break

        if found:

            break

    print(gx, gy)

    dx = 1

    if gx+0 < get_pos_x()+0:

        dx = 0 - 1

    dy = 1

    if gy+0 < get_pos_y()+0:

        dy = 0 - 1

    while get_pos_x()+0 != gx+0:

        print(get_pos_x(), gx)

        move(dx, 0)

    while get_pos_y()+0 != gy+0:

        move(0, dy)

    submit()

_A()

The "+0" stuff is because otherwise you get

<color=red>[ERROR]</color> <color=red>[ERROR]</color> Cannot compare values of types System.Double and System.Int32

but then you can't convert to int with int(x) either:

<color=red>[ERROR]</color> <color=red>[ERROR]</color> Unknown function 'int' at line 15

Similarly, comparison doesn't produce True without "+0".After the 3rd level I got solid blue screen. Is this intended?

P.S.I currently work on a commercial text-coding game (in esoteric programming language). If these types of games interest you as a player, feel free to join as a playtester:)

Reply
an-alch3mist124 days ago (5 edits)

Hey thanks for pointing it out, since the interpreter was hardcoded in other programming language, there is data type mismatch XD. along with that fix i’ll implement the int() functionality

new: its now browser playable, included more levels
fixed: blue screen after level 3

esoteric programming language sounds interesting, would love to check it out.

Reply
Igor Konyakhin123 days ago(+1)

How experienced are you with interprets? Have you used external parsing library?

Pro tip: C# has a built-in compiler of C#.

There doesn't seem to be messaging functionality on Itch. Message me on Discord/Telegram/Facebook: @nns2009

Reply
an-alch3mist123 days ago (5 edits) (+1)

hey, pretty new(when it comes to building an interpreter), i always wanted to make a programming puzzle kinda games(my fav genre). GMTK Theme 2025: Gave an oppertunity to research and implement one. chose python like language: cause easier for a beginner player.

as for the interpreter, i built it from scratch tokens, lexicals behaviour etc in C#(hard coded).|

cause i kinda wanted complete control over what the language can do,

for example the line highlight to know what like the program running and in game custom functions such as move(“”), say(“”) etc would have been not convinient by using compiler to gamify as coroutines. (have sent a message on discord: @user_nox)

Reply
Igor Konyakhin122 days ago(+1)

Pretty impressive you were able to achieve this much during the jam interpret-wise with little prior experience and no libraries. Message received.

Reply
an-alch3mist122 days ago (2 edits) (+1)

Fixed:

  • int, double are now compared no need for cast with +0
  • any unusual unicode character generater from copy-paste are now cleared
  • updated handling window system and more
  • for/while loopBatchTime speed up when there is just operations inside.
Reply
Igor Konyakhin122 days ago (1 edit) (+1)

I reached the next level with blocks, but "or" seems to not work. I now get "Unsupported binary operator OR at line 27".

Looking at Windows in your game made me think if I should make UI sections in my game re-arrangeable, but looks like something not worth the effort. What's the purpose for that "Other script Window"? It seems to not do anything, but occupy screen space.

def func():
    gx = -100
    gy = -100
    found = False
    d = 20
    for xx in range(5, d):
        say(xx)
        for yy in range(-d, d):
            if is_goal(get_pos_x()+xx, get_pos_y()+yy):
                gx = get_pos_x() + xx
                gy = get_pos_y() + yy
                found = True
                break
        if found:
            break
    print(gx, gy)
    dx = 1
    if gx < get_pos_x():
        dx = -1
    dy = 1
    if gy < get_pos_y():
        dy = -1
    while get_pos_x() != gx or get_pos_y() != gy:
        if is_block(get_pos_x() + dx, get_pos_y()):
            while get_pos_x() != gx:
                print(get_pos_x(), gx)
                move(dx, 0)
        else:
            while get_pos_y() != gy:
                move(0, dy)
    submit()
func()
Reply
an-alch3mist122 days ago (3 edits) (+1)

thanks for pointing out the or functionality.

the other script is for a test run, since there is no undo/redo yet: i figured would be convinient to have a seperate window by side. also wanted to learn resize/minimizable window system.

[edit]: now boolean operations not, and, or as well as bitwise operations >> << | & ~ are supported (updated to v2.0.zip for windows)

Reply
Igor Konyakhin121 days ago(+1)

I have beaten the game with the following code:

def func():
    gx = -100
    gy = -100
    found = False
    d = 20
    for xx in range(4, d):
        say(xx)
        for yy in range(-d, d):
            if is_goal(get_pos_x()+xx, get_pos_y()+yy):
                gx = get_pos_x() + xx
                gy = get_pos_y() + yy
                found = True
                break
        if found:
            break
    print(gx, gy)
    dx = 1
    if gx < get_pos_x():
        dx = -1
    dy = 1
    if gy < get_pos_y():
        dy = -1
    while get_pos_x() != gx or get_pos_y() != gy:
        if get_pos_x() != gx and not is_block(get_pos_x() + dx, get_pos_y()):
            print(get_pos_x(), gx)
            move(dx, 0)
        else:
            move(0, dy)
    submit()
func()

Speaking of minor issues, I noticed that sometimes when resizing a window (specifically, enlarging), line numbers move separately from code.

Reply
an-alch3mist121 days ago(-1)

well done :D you beat the game.

Fixed:

  • boolean and, or, not fixed
  • there is now support for bitwise << >> | & ~

yep, the line number part is kinda tricky to achive with TMP_InputField since (it does’nt come with a scroll view) should use alternate approach, will try again XD.

Reply