Learning Postgres by Running a Virtual Space City: City of Starbase Launches

A new browser-based learning tool for PostgreSQL is getting attention among developers: City of Starbase turns database training into a space-city management game. Instead of reading through dry SQL tutorials, players run a virtual city and complete missions by writing real Postgres queries in their browser.

The service provides a fully hosted sandbox, so there’s no need to install Postgres locally. Missions are wrapped in a light narrative – analysing citizen activity logs, optimising resource usage, or fixing a failing reporting system – and the city grows or recovers when your SQL is correct.

Beyond basic SELECT statements, the game gradually introduces Postgres‑specific features such as JSON columns, indexes and query optimisation. That makes it suitable both for beginners and for working engineers who want a hands‑on refresher. Because it’s purely web‑based, users in Japan can access it without worrying about environment setup or time zones, and it’s already being discussed as a potential resource for coding bootcamps and in‑house training programs.