The global demand for software developers further underscores the urgency of preparing students. In 2021, there were 24.3 million active developers worldwide, with 61% under the age of 35 (Kinsta, 2023). Yet, many students still encounter the same challenges identified earlier: weak problem-solving, ineffective strategies, and difficulty mastering programming syntax (Ahmad & Abai, 2019).

To address these gaps, this study proposes PlayJava, an android-based tutorial game for learning basic java programming. The system was developed using GDevelop, a free, open-source, no-code 2D game engine that employs visual coding and scripting (Rival & Luna, 2022). The game integrates Java lessons, covering topics such as Introduction, Conditionals, Operators, Loops, and Arrays, with interactive exercises. After completing a lesson, students will engage in a mini-game, such as card-pairing with 25 programming-related questions. The goal of PlayJava is to enhance students’ coding practice, particularly for those with limited programming exposure or those who struggled during online learning. By combining tutorials with interactive gameplay, the system seeks to make programming education more engaging and accessible, enabling learners to acquire fundamental coding skills while enjoying the process. The study’s primary objective is to evaluate the functionality and effectiveness of PlayJava in helping students familiarize themselves with the basic structure of Java code.