How to Make Your First AI Game
A platform-agnostic workflow for going from one mechanic to a playable prototype.
Make a one-screen game with one input, one goal, one failure condition and a replay button; finishing a tiny loop teaches more than generating a huge unfinished concept.
Step 1: write the loop
Use one sentence: “The player drags a basket, catches stars for points, loses after three bombs, then taps Replay.” If you cannot state the loop that simply, reduce it.
Step 2: generate mechanics before style
Ask for placeholder shapes, input, collision, score, loss and restart. Play it ten times. Fix double-counting, impossible spawns and broken reset state before requesting art or sound.
Step 3: add feel
Add clear hit feedback, a short sound, readable UI and a small difficulty curve. Keep the session under one minute. Test with someone who has not read your prompt and watch without explaining.
Definition of finished
- A new player understands the action within five seconds.
- Every run can end and restart without reloading.
- Score and failure behave consistently.
- The game remains playable on the target device.
Features, pricing and terms can change quickly. Recheck the linked sources and current official terms before making a commercial or platform decision.