Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Human Resource Machine VS Screeps

Compare Human Resource Machine VS Screeps and see what are their differences

Human Resource Machine logo Human Resource Machine

Tomorrow Corporation is an independent game developer behind indie games Little Inferno and Human Resource Machine

Screeps logo Screeps

Learn to code JavaScript by playing game.
  • Human Resource Machine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-04-05
  • Screeps Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-17

Human Resource Machine features and specs

  • Educational Value
    Human Resource Machine teaches programming concepts in a fun and interactive manner, making it easier for beginners to grasp basic coding logic and algorithms.
  • Engaging Puzzles
    The game presents a variety of challenges that push players to think critically and problem-solve, which can be highly engaging for those who enjoy logical puzzles.
  • Unique Theme
    The office setting and storyline provide a unique theme for a programming game, which can be more relatable and entertaining for a broad audience.
  • Visual Programming
    The visual representation of coding through object movement and animations can help players better understand abstract programming concepts.
  • Creative Storytelling
    The narrative and quirky humor add an element of entertainment, keeping players invested in the game beyond its educational aspect.

Possible disadvantages of Human Resource Machine

  • Limited Replayability
    Once the puzzles are completed, there is limited incentive to replay the game unless aiming for optimized solutions.
  • Steep Difficulty Curve
    Some puzzles may become challenging quickly, potentially frustrating players who are new to programming concepts.
  • Complexity for Beginners
    While the game is educational, some beginners might find certain programming concepts and logic difficult to understand without prior exposure.
  • No Real Coding
    Although educational, the game uses its own pseudo-language; players do not learn specific programming languages used in real-world applications.
  • Limited Educational Scope
    The game primarily focuses on basic problem-solving and logic, which might not cover more advanced programming topics comprehensively.

Screeps features and specs

  • Educational Value
    Screeps teaches real-world JavaScript programming concepts such as algorithms, optimization, and system design in a fun, gamified environment.
  • Real-time Strategy
    It combines elements of real-time strategy games with coding, offering a unique and challenging experience that keeps players engaged.
  • Persistent World
    The game world is persistent and runs 24/7, allowing your code to continue operating and evolving even when you're not logged in.
  • Community and Collaboration
    There is a strong community providing support, sharing code, and contributing to open-source projects related to the game.
  • Scalability
    The game can scale from small, personal projects to large, complex systems, providing ongoing challenges and opportunities for learning.

Possible disadvantages of Screeps

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Beginners might find the game difficult to grasp initially due to the complex mechanics and required programming knowledge.
  • Time-Consuming
    To effectively compete, players often need to invest significant time in optimizing and maintaining their code.
  • Subscription Costs
    While there is a free tier, many features and advanced gameplay elements are locked behind a subscription paywall.
  • Technical Requirements
    The game requires a good understanding of programming and problem-solving skills, which might be off-putting for casual gamers.
  • Server Issues
    There can be server stability and performance issues due to the constant demand and real-time nature of the game.

Analysis of Screeps

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Screeps is a well-regarded game for those interested in programming and strategy.

Why this product is good

  • Screeps offers a unique blend of coding and gaming, allowing players to program real JavaScript or other languages to control in-game units. This not only makes for a dynamic and challenging experience but also provides a learning opportunity for both beginner and experienced programmers. The persistent world means that players’ projects can continue to evolve, and the community is generally supportive and engaged.

Recommended for

  • Aspiring programmers looking to practice coding in a fun environment
  • Experienced developers who enjoy applying their skills to strategic gameplay
  • Gamers who appreciate a challenge and are interested in games that require long-term planning and execution
  • Individuals interested in AI and automation who want a hands-on approach to learning

Human Resource Machine videos

Programming game reviews: Human Resource Machine

More videos:

  • Review - Human Resource Machine review in 3 minutes -- gameplay / worth a buy? (Yes, it is.)
  • Review - Human Resource Machine REVIEW - Learn Coding (Math/Programming)

Screeps videos

Screeps Game REVIEW - Learn JavaScript by Playing - Educational MMO (Math/Programming)

More videos:

  • Review - What is Screeps? - by th_pion
  • Review - Game Developer's Toolbox: Learn programming with Screeps

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Human Resource Machine and Screeps)
Games
100 100%
0% 0
Online Learning
23 23%
77% 77
Online Education
17 17%
83% 83
Education
28 28%
72% 72

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Human Resource Machine and Screeps

Human Resource Machine Reviews

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Screeps Reviews

15 Best LeetCode Alternatives 2023
You also get access to game API and docs of a full-fledged platform on Screeps. Because it uses games as its basis of operation, Screeps is more fun than LeetCode.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Screeps should be more popular than Human Resource Machine. It has been mentiond 43 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Human Resource Machine mentions (14)

  • Six times faster than C
    This is pretty much `assembly language the game`: https://tomorrowcorporation.com/humanresourcemachine It's not a useful architecture, but it teaches the thought process really well, and you end up discovering a lot of optimization naturally. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • My teacher wants me to show him if Factorio can be used to teach programming, I need help with ideas!
    Other options have been given in this thread and I'd agree that for this particular situation the Tomorrow Corporation's "Human Resource Machine" is probably the best match. It's a constrained environment in a game that scales up to introduce this and more. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Technology/Creative books and games for my daughter (7 years)
    Not sure if 7 is old enough, I made this card "game" with my daughter when she was 10: https://punkx.org/4917/ which is not really a game but more like a puzzle, you have 54 small programs for a 4 bit made up computer (Richard Buckland's computer) and you have to interpret them in your head or with pen and paper. It's quite interesting to play with her when I change few instructions on a card. Other interesting... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • How would a video game based on being a sysadmin look like?
    We have programming based games like Human Resource Machine and Hacknet. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Which programming language for a kid of grade 1-6 is better?
    The game us actually called Human Resource Machine and it is excellent. I've beaten that one and its sequel. But some people might find it difficult and I would say somebody in the lower grades definitely would. Source: over 2 years ago
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Screeps mentions (43)

  • Show HN: A Competition Game to write bots for the most efficient algo
    Reminds me (in spirit) of screeps https://screeps.com/ - any inspiration? - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • AI Wars – control your 2d space shooter with AI
    I love the idea of having an AI prompt to write code for the bots. There are already games like https://screeps.com/ or https://store.steampowered.com/app/2060160/The_Farmer_Was_Replaced/ where you program your bot to do things, but they do require some minimal coding experience. Being able to describe behavior in plain english would be pretty cool. However, I think having real-time feedback is a huge part of... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Show HN: Engineering Games (List)
    I've heard about Screeps which is close to what you describe: https://screeps.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Games like Stone Story RPG
    I have tried Screeps in the past, and I'm not a huge fan. I really like Stone Story, but they do not have an easy way to take your saves across multiple platforms -- you have to manually import/export your save. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Helping a young coder
    -For JavaScript, my advice would be to introduce coding games. That way it's more fun and the environment would be set up better (less worrying about deep technical errors). The two games that come to mind are Bitburner (free) and Screeps (free offline/paid online), though they both have their own learning curves and require actual coding; so for a 9 year old YMMV greatly. Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Human Resource Machine and Screeps, you can also consider the following products

Colobot Gold - Colobot Gold is modified version of the original https://alternativeto.

CodeCombat - Learn programming with a multiplayer live coding strategy game.

Robocode - Robocode is a programming game where the goal is to code a robot battle tank to compete against...

CheckIO - CheckIO is a web site with a mission: To teach JavaScript and Python coding skills through a game-playing interface. It is designed to teach new skills or improve existing skills through completing challenges.

SHENZHEN I/O - Build circuits and write code in the ultimate electronics engineering game.

CodinGame - CodinGame provides users with a fun and effective way to learn coding that eschews the rigid structure of traditional teaching methods.