Learn Python Game Automation from Udemy

Have you ever wanted to create a Python program to play games online, or automate time-consuming, click-intensive work in your browser? In this course, we explore what it takes to program your own bot and create different bots for three popular online games: Cookie Clicker, Google Dinosaur Run, and Piano Tiles, in just one hour. Each game is slightly more difficult to play than the previous, but can each be accomplished with fewer than 50 lines of code. You don't need any programming knowledge to get started with the course, but a basic understand beforehand will help you improve your bot later on.

In the course we use Python 3.8 and make use of the numpy, pyautogui, cv2, and mss libraries to create bots that can outperform a number of other bots you will find online. Afterwards, you will be able to take the approaches learned in the course and apply it to other games of your choosing, as well as to business automation applications. We will also look into what it takes to beat the scores achieved within this course.

Challenge your friends to see if they can beat your bot. Better yet, challenge your friends to make their own bots and see how far you can push the limits of your code.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to create winning bots for cookie clicker, google dinosaur run, and piano tiles using python
Understand bot design and problem approach
Processing images with numpy and cv2
Controlling the mouse and keyboard using pyautogui

Simple object detection based on pixel values
Pixel coordinate system, framerate, timing
Fast screen capturing using mss

How to create winning bots for cookie clicker, google dinosaur run, and piano tiles using python
Understand bot design and problem approach
Processing images with numpy and cv2
Controlling the mouse and keyboard using pyautogui
Simple object detection based on pixel values
Pixel coordinate system, framerate, timing
Fast screen capturing using mss

Syllabus

Introduction

Installing the required libraries

Getting the source code

Create a Python program that plays Cookie Clicker at a high level

Here we will create the bot from start to finish. Afterwards, you should be able to use Python to control your mouse to click on-screen at specific coordinates, and loop through actions to play the game at a superhuman level.

Improve your bot to buy upgrades

Create a Python program that plays Piano Tiles at a high level

Introduction to Piano Tiles

Taking a screenshot using mss

Finding the region of interest

Grabbing the region of the screen using mss

Detecting tiles

Playing the game

Implement the bot

Create a Python program that plays Google Dinosaur at a high level

Introduction to Google Dinosaur Run

Grabbing a region of the screen using mss

Drawing the region of interest on screen

Detecting collisions

Adjusting the region for your screen

Factoring in acceleration

Improve your high score

Conclusion

Congratulations, you have completed the course! You can now apply what you've learned to other games of your choosing. Please rate the course and let us know what you think!

Create your own game bot

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn Python Game Automation with these activities:

Review Basic Python Syntax

Show steps

Refresh your understanding of fundamental Python syntax to ensure a smoother learning experience in the course.

Browse courses on Python Syntax

Show steps

Review Python data types and operators.
Practice writing simple Python scripts.
Complete online Python tutorials.

Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming

Show steps

Reinforce your Python fundamentals with a comprehensive introductory guide.

View Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On,... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on basic Python syntax and data structures.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python

Show steps

Learn practical Python automation techniques to enhance your game bot development skills.

View Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 3rd... on Amazon

Show steps

Read relevant chapters on GUI automation.
Experiment with the book's examples.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Practice PyAutoGUI Mouse Control

Show steps

Reinforce your ability to control the mouse using PyAutoGUI to improve the precision and speed of your bots.

Show steps

Write scripts to move the mouse to specific coordinates.
Create scripts to simulate mouse clicks and drags.
Experiment with different mouse movement speeds.

Follow OpenCV Tutorials for Image Recognition

Show steps

Refine your image recognition skills using OpenCV to improve the accuracy of your game bots.

Show steps

Complete tutorials on object detection with OpenCV.
Implement image recognition algorithms in Python.
Test your algorithms on sample game screenshots.

Develop a Bot for a Simple Web Game

Show steps

Apply your knowledge to create a bot for a new game, solidifying your understanding of bot design and implementation.

Show steps

Choose a simple web game to automate.
Analyze the game's mechanics and identify key actions.
Implement a bot using PyAutoGUI and OpenCV.
Test and refine your bot's performance.

Write a Blog Post on Game Automation Techniques

Show steps

Solidify your understanding by explaining game automation techniques in a clear and concise manner.

Show steps

Choose a specific game automation topic.
Research and gather information on the topic.
Write a blog post explaining the techniques.
Include code examples and screenshots.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn Python Game Automation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Automation Engineer

An Automation Engineer designs, develops, and implements automated solutions to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort. This course helps build a foundation for automating tasks that emulate human interaction with computers and websites. The course's coverage of libraries such as pyautogui, which controls the mouse and keyboard actions, is highly relevant to the work this Engineer does. In particular, the course helps with skills in automating click-intensive tasks, as well as strategies for detecting objects on a screen. One who wishes to become an Automation Engineer may find this course to be a helpful stepping stone.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automation Engineer

Game Developer

A Game Developer designs and creates video games. This course explores techniques for automating gameplay. While it focuses on bot creation rather than game creation, the course's coverage of Python libraries like numpy, cv2, pyautogui, and mss helps one to see how a game's mechanics can be understood and manipulated through code. The course's material builds an understanding of image processing, object detection, and control of mouse and keyboard actions. The knowledge gained here may be useful for designing gameplay elements, creating automated testing scripts, or exploring artificial intelligence techniques. A Game Developer who wants to explore game automation should take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Quality Assurance Engineer

A Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for ensuring the quality of software products through testing and debugging. This course helps one to understand the automation of software testing. The material on pyautogui, along with object detection, is relevant to creating automated test scripts that simulate user interactions and verify software behavior. The course in particular helps with automatically running complex tests of desktop applications. A Quality Assurance Engineer who wishes to automate testing procedures may find this course to be of use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Engineer

Software Developer

A Software Developer creates and maintains software applications. This course may be useful because it applies coding principles to a practical problem: automating tasks in online games. The course's focus on Python and its libraries like numpy, cv2, and mss, helps build a foundation for processing images, capturing screen regions, and controlling mouse and keyboard actions. These concepts, while demonstrated in the context of game automation, have broader applications in software development as a whole. A Software Developer who wishes to expand their skills in automation and image processing should take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Robotics Engineer

A Robotics Engineer designs, builds, and tests robots and automated systems. This course may be useful because it introduces the fundamental concepts of automating a machine to respond to visual input, quite similar to the basic elements of robotics programming. The course's focus on image processing with libraries like numpy and cv2, fast screen capturing using mss, and keyboard and mouse control using pyautogui, helps one understand how a software agent can interact with its environment. A Robotics Engineer who wishes to better understand the software side of robotics may benefit from this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Technology Consultant

A Technology Consultant advises clients on how to use technology to meet their business needs. This course may be useful because it provides the Technology Consultant with a perspective into automation. The course's focus on Python and its libraries, like pyautogui, helps in automating mundane tasks through automation of mouse and keyboard actions. The course helps build skills in optimizing business process through automation. A Technology Consultant wanting to specialize in business process automation may wish to take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Consultant

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst identifies and analyzes business needs and proposes solutions. This course may be useful because it provides training in automating repetitive tasks, which can be employed for business process automation. The course's focus on controlling mouse and keyboard actions, along with object detection, helps build skills in automating data entry, report generation, and other routine office tasks. A Business Analyst seeking to improve business efficiency should take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer develops and deploys machine learning models to solve problems. This course may be useful because it introduces image processing and object detection techniques using libraries such as numpy and cv2. The course's approach to identifying objects on screen based on pixel values shares concepts with basic machine learning algorithms for image recognition. This course, despite its focus on game automation, can serve as an introduction to some fundamental concepts in machine learning. A Machine Learning Engineer could take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist collects, analyzes, and interprets large datasets to identify trends and insights. This course may be useful as it introduces the use of Python and libraries like numpy and cv2 for image processing and data extraction from screen captures. The course's focus on object detection and analysis of pixel data helps build analytical skills. Though the application is game automation, these skills are transferable to various data analysis tasks, particularly those involving visual data. A Data Scientist who wishes to broaden their skills into image-based data analysis, could take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, cleans, and analyzes data to provide insights and support decision making. This course may be useful as it introduces skills in automated data extraction from visual sources. The course's focus on image processing and screen capturing helps to enable the automated collection of data from online games or other applications. Automation of data extraction plays an important role in scaling data analytics operations. A Data Analyst could take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Research Scientist

A Research Scientist conducts research to advance knowledge in a specific field. This course may be useful if the Research Scientist is working on a project that involves image analysis, automation, or human computer interaction. The course's coverage of Python libraries for image processing, screen capturing, and mouse/keyboard control could be of use. The automation of online games provides a sandbox for experimenting with techniques that might be applicable to real world problems. A Research Scientist could take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Penetration Tester

A Penetration Tester, also known as an ethical hacker, assesses the security of computer systems by simulating attacks. This course may be useful. Although not directly related to security, the course helps in understanding how software can be used to interact with and potentially manipulate other applications. It is important to be aware of how to automate user input for ethical hacking, such as bypassing security measures. A Penetration Tester could take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Tax Preparer

A Tax Preparer helps individuals and businesses prepare and file their tax returns. This course may be useful if a tax preparer wishes to automate their tax filing tasks. The course covers Python libraries that control the mouse and keyboard, which is essential for automating form filling tasks. A Tax Preparer looking to automate their tax filing tasks may find this course of use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tax Preparer

IT Support Specialist

An IT Support Specialist provides technical support and troubleshooting assistance to computer users. This course may be useful as it provides some relevant tools to automate the support tasks. The course's focus on Python libraries, like pyautogui allows for some level of automated troubleshooting through automating mouse and keyboard actions. An IT Support Specialist may wish to automate the support of some computer systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Support Specialist

User Interface Designer

A User Interface Designer focuses on the visual layout and interactive elements of software applications. This course may be useful as it provides insights into how users interact with interfaces. The course covers libraries to automate mouse and keyboard strokes on applications. A User Interface Designer may have a better understanding of user flows if they take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Interface Designer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Learn Python Game Automation.

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 3rd Edition

Save

Provides a practical introduction to Python programming with a focus on automating everyday tasks. It covers topics such as web scraping, working with Excel spreadsheets, and sending email, which are relevant to game automation. This book great resource for learning how to apply Python to real-world problems and can serve as a useful reference throughout the course. It provides additional depth to the course.

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 3rd Edition

Kindle Edition

Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition

Save

Provides a solid foundation in Python programming, covering essential concepts and syntax. While not specifically focused on game automation, it offers a comprehensive introduction to Python that is beneficial for beginners. It is helpful in providing background or prerequisite knowledge. It is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On,...

Paperback

Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On,...

Kindle Edition

Learn Python Game Automation

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses