To build that foundation, you need a strong command over C++, Data Structures, and Programming Patterns.

You can do these projects to build that strong foundation:

LEVEL 1: C++

1. RPG (TEXT-BASED) | C++ Basics

• Functions & Control Flow
• Text-based Game Logic
• Simple Game Loop

2. Pokémon (TEXT-BASED) | C++ Intermediate

• OOP Fundamentals
• Pointers
• Abstract Classes

3. Save & Load System | C++ Advanced

• Memory Management
• Smart Pointers
• Debugging
• Exception Handling
• Templated in C++
• File I/O Operations

LEVEL 2: DATA STRUCTURES BASICS

4. PONG | SFML

• SFML
• SimpleCollision Detection
• Text Rendering
• Sprite Rendering
• State Management
• State Management

5. MINESWEEPER | Arrays

• 1D Arrays
• 2D Arrays
• Random Generation
• Vectors

6. CLASSIC SNAKE | Linked Lists

• Linked List
• Doubly Linked List
• Collision Logic

7. SPIDER SOLITAIRE | Stacks

• LIFO Operations
• Stacks using Arrays
• Stacks using Linked Lists
• Undo Feature

8. RESTAURANT SIMULATOR | Queues

• FIFO Operation
• Priority Handling

LEVEL 3: PROGRAMMING PATTERNS

9. TOWER DEFENSE

• Singleton Pattern
• Service Locator
• Dependency Injection

10. BATTLE TANK

• MVC Architecture
• Scriptable Objects

11. SPACE SHOOTER

• Object Pooling
• Performance Optimization
• Particle Systems
• Memory Management

12. HORROR ESCAPE

• Observer Pattern
• Unity Event System

13. TURN-BASED COMBAT

• Command Pattern
• Undo/Redo System
• Turn Queue

14. STEALTH KILLER

• State Machine
• AI Behaviors
• NPC Systems

LEVEL 4: ADVANCED DSA

15. SEARCHING VISUALIZER

• Search Algorithms
• Visual Representation
• Algorithm Analysis
• Time Complexity

16. SORTING VISUALIZER

• Sorting Algorithms
• Visual Representation

17. SUDOKU SOLVER |

• Recursion
• Backtracking
• Constraint Satisfaction

18. PASSWORD HACKER | Hashmaps

• Key-Value Storage
• Encryption/Decryption

PRO TIP:

Don't prioritize art over code