HUMAN RESOURCE MACHINE

Finally - a game dealing with the most hated and the most excruciatingly painful  position in the global workforce! Not only did they do a splendid job at making you feel like a puppet master toying with destinies of the employees at the company, but you also get to do it total-surveillance style and program people by means of basic algorithmic thinking. So not only do you get to control everything and everyone making a system that would automate things. but you also  get to boost your own self-esteem in the process.Even a complete ignoramus like myself won't get scared of the algorithmic nature of a limited number of commands at your disposal. Run your programmes and revel in success.

CHIPWITZ

What it says on the tin, and so much more than that!  This is the first successful robot simulation game ever! Knowing one of the authors of this game and the rich artistic inner world he lives in only makes me realize even more how  forward-looking and adventurous this title was and still is.
In order for the robot to be able to navigate mazes you use a programming language comprised exclusively of icons that look intriguing and beautiful on both Apple II and c64 and the new windows version. Once I got past my initial discomfort of trying an educational game as a kid and the puerile impatience that  accompanied it , its charm worked its way through each subsequent mission. The learning experience that it entailed I became aware of  only years afterwards. Both you and the robot are on a constant learning curve  of systematic thinking as you continue using the hieroglyphic  programming language to navigate mazes, conserve energy and avoid obstacles. Icons are used in sets of 60 per all of the 8 available panels plus subpanels to go about each given mission.
Very few similar titles have appeared since (CODDY WORLD ON ALGORITHM comes to mind) and none have achieved what Chipwitz has. It's fun to play , addictive and educational.

you can dowload the latest Windows version of Chipwitz here as intended by the original programmers.
 http://www.chipwits.com/

QUANTUM MOVES

The first game I heard of that helped scientific research in a substantial way - this fact alone is enough to include it in the pantheon of unique games. Somebody in the scientific community realized the common man could help them build a quantum computer of tomorrow by playing a game more than several million of algorithm runs would. And when you realize that you contribute to the ever-lasting search for greater and faster computers by playing a game you simply feel proud to take part. And you're not alone in this endeavour -  some 150000 people played it over 8 million times.

You catch atoms in qubit's lattice moving the laser by moving the mouse sideways and determine the intensity of the laser firing atoms by moving it vertically. After  firing two atoms you merge them carefully without letting them "spill" over their final position too much. The "spilling" occurs whenever the energy is directed. This is just an awkward explanation of a man who spent his entire life around art and litterature, so I strongly recommend visiting this page to get to know the concept and the research behind the game and to play the game itself:
https://www.scienceathome.org/games/quantum-moves/game   

Knowing nothing about the concept behind the game  won't diminish the pleasure of playing it. It's a funny display of fine mouse manipulation skills that rewards the patient. You will find yourself drawn to the game and playing it for a few hours. The experience will demand another 2-3 tries at the game and that's it- you served your purpose.

I only wish there were more meaningful games like this.