Alice
Alice is an innovative block-based programming environment that makes it easy to create animations, build interactive narratives, or program simple games in 3D.
Overview
Alice is a free, innovative block-based programming environment that makes it easy to create 3D animations, build interactive narratives, or program simple games. Unlike many 2D block-based environments, Alice uses a 3D world with a rich gallery of characters and objects. This allows students to learn fundamental programming concepts like object-oriented programming, event handling, and control structures in a highly visual and engaging context. It is developed and supported by Carnegie Mellon University.
✨ Key Features
- 3D programming environment
- Block-based coding
- Focus on storytelling and animation
- Rich gallery of 3D models and characters
- Teaches object-oriented programming concepts
- Free desktop software
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Unique focus on 3D animation and storytelling
- Strong, intuitive introduction to object-oriented programming concepts
- Developed and backed by a major university (Carnegie Mellon)
- Completely free with extensive curriculum resources
Unique Value: Alice provides a unique, free, and engaging entry point into programming by allowing students to create 3D movies and games, making abstract concepts like object-oriented programming feel concrete and fun.
🎯 Use Cases (4)
✅ Best For
- Used for many years in introductory computing courses at the high school and college level.
- Proven to increase student interest and retention in computer science, particularly among underrepresented groups.
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Developing 2D games or utility apps
- Learning text-based programming
- Professional game development
🏆 Alternatives
Unlike the 2D environments of Scratch or Snap!, Alice's 3D world is more immersive and better suited for teaching concepts related to 3D space and object interaction. It is more focused on storytelling than the game-mechanics focus of CodeCombat.
💻 Platforms
✅ Offline Mode Available
🛟 Support Options
- ✓ Email Support
💰 Pricing
Free tier: Alice is completely free.
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