First Principles: A Calculus Platformer
Run and jump across the graphs of real functions. Every level is a curve — its derivative shapes the platforms and hazards. 40+ stages from parabolas to Riemann sums, AP Calculus BC, physics, and aerospace curves, ending in a Mandelbrot boss. A platformer that teaches real calculus.
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About this game
First Principles is a calculus-first learning game: a 2D platformer built on a live graph. Your path follows y = f(x); the derivative shapes where you can stand, where it breaks, and how the level "teaches" each idea. It's math you see and move through, not only read about.
Why play it
Feel the derivative — Platforms and hazards follow the curve and its slope logic so f and f′ stay connected in your head.
Stages that match the story — Progress through ideas like quadratics, trig, series intuition, multivariable slices, integrals and Riemann sums, damped oscillation, polar and BC-style topics, and more.
Graphing calculator mode — From the menu, switch to a free graph workspace: type expressions, adjust transforms, zoom and pan. Practice functions without the platformer.
Math concepts on tap — In-game reader with differentiation rules, integral intuition, and topic glossaries. Level select includes the full "Math tips & snippets" article. (Exam-prep sections are unofficial study companions — not affiliated with College Board, MAA, Oxford, or test boards.)
First-principles mindset — Short notes connect the name to reasoning from fundamentals (a thinking habit), alongside the calculus on screen.
Who it's for
Students who want stronger graph sense for class, AP Calculus, AP Physics C, TMUA/MAT-style reasoning, or anyone who learns better when equations have a shape.