The value of games as a vehicle for teaching concepts while
inspiring students is now well accepted at almost all levels of education.
Video games, arcade and computer games are rarely given the same kind of
attention. This paper will describe the value of computer games as a motivator
and some of the benefits that can be realized by using known computer games as
programming applications, even in the first year of a CS program. The use of
two such games as assignments in CS1 and CS2 is outlined and some feedback on
the experience is offered.
