Just as calculators transformed the tedious job of number-crunching in mathematics a few decades ago, artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves in the world of coding by enabling even those with no technical background to develop computer games. Take, for instance, Kyo, an 8-year-old boy in Singapore, who created a simple platform game in just two hours, attracting over 500,000 players. Using only basic English instructions, Kyo was able to bring his vision to life utilizing the coding app Cursor and a general-purpose AI called Claude. While Kyo’s dad is a coder, Kyo received no help in designing the game and has no formal coding education. Shockingly, he went on to develop another game, an animation app, a drawing app, and a chatbot, each within a couple of hours.
This shift demonstrates how AI is lowering the barriers to software development, bridging the gap between creativity and technical skill. Among the range of apps dedicated to this purpose are also tools like Google’s AlphaCode 2 and Replit’s Ghostwriter. In another striking example, an 8-year-old American girl named Fay built a chatbot that mimicked Harry Potter in just 45 minutes. Her creation was so advanced that the chatbot asked if she had heard the rumors about the Deathly Hallows and suggested discussing it over a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. For those who already know how to code, numerous AI applications serve as highly efficient assistants, predicting and autocompleting code, thus serving various user needs.
1. Register for an AI Service
To create a game as Kyo did, start by registering for an AI service. Options to consider include Cursor or AlphaCode 2. Follow the setup instructions provided by the chosen platform. Depending on which tool you choose, you might need a quick installation that could involve downloading a programming language such as Python and a source code editor like Visual Studio (VS) Code 2. The AI platform will generally guide you through this preliminary process, ensuring that you’re set up correctly.
These platforms typically have user-friendly interfaces and detailed installation guides, making it easy even for beginners to get started. After completing this basic setup, you’ll have at your disposal the tools to create your own game. It’s important to take your time understanding the initial setup instructions, as any misstep might hamper your progress later on. Most platforms offer community support and forums where you can seek assistance if you encounter problems during installation.
2. Begin Your Game
Once your tools are installed, it’s time to begin your game. Open a new project within the tool you chose. In the prompt or textbox provided by the platform, type in a simple instruction like: “Create a simple platform game where the platforms are made of sweet treats.” This command tells the AI what you envision for the game. The AI will process your input and generate initial elements based on your description.
This step is crucial because it sets the foundation upon which you’ll build the rest of your game. Don’t worry if the initial output isn’t exactly what you imagined. The beauty of AI tools is their flexibility, allowing you to continually refine your project. Starting with simple instructions allows the AI to understand your vision better, making subsequent modifications easier.
3. Preview Your Creation
After giving your initial instructions, the next step is to preview what you’ve created. Click “run” or “preview” to see the output. Depending on the system you’re using, you might need to do this in the source code editor provided by the AI platform. You should see platforms made of candy or cakes, based on the instructions you provided. This is your chance to review the preliminary stage of your game and determine if it aligns with what you had in mind.
This step serves as a checkpoint. Ensuring that your initial concept has been correctly interpreted by the AI is essential before moving forward. This process of iterative feedback allows you to catch any discrepancies early and make necessary adjustments, saving you time in the long run. The ability to preview and make real-time changes is one of the most powerful features of using AI in game development.
4. Modify the Game
Now that you have a foundational game environment, it’s time to make modifications. For instance, if you want to change the main character into a parrot, you can simply type into the prompt: “Make the avatar a green parrot.” The AI will update the game accordingly, replacing the original character with a new, user-specified one. This flexibility allows for endless customization, enabling you to bring your unique vision to life.
Customization is a key aspect of game creation. By allowing you to easily modify various elements of the game, AI tools enable an iterative design process. These tools make it simple for users to experiment with different characters, backgrounds, and features until they achieve the desired outcome. This level of control ensures that even without coding skills, you can create a personalized and engaging game.
5. Enhance with Features
Adding features is the next step in refining your game. To do this, type instructions such as: “Let the parrot be controlled by the arrow keys, add some sweets for it to collect, and include a score counter for how many it collects.” The AI will process these commands and integrate these features into your game. This step is where you can get creative, adding elements that enhance gameplay and make your game more interactive.
Feature enhancement is where the magic happens. Adding elements like collectibles, score counters, and interactive controls transforms a basic game into a more engaging and challenging experience. These features not only provide additional layers of excitement but also increase the game’s replay value. The ease with which AI tools allow you to add features makes the game development process accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise.
6. Test and Refine
Once you’ve added your desired features, click “run” or “preview” again to test the updated game. Make adjustments by typing directives like: “Add a black crow that will chase the parrot around the screen. If the crow catches the parrot, freeze the screen and show a message saying ‘Too Bad!!!'” This step involves a continuous loop of testing and refining until you’re satisfied with the game’s performance and overall user experience.
Testing and refining are crucial aspects of any development process. By iterating through multiple cycles of testing and adjustment, you can ensure that the game runs smoothly and meets your expectations. This iterative process allows you to iron out any bugs, improve game mechanics, and enhance the overall gameplay experience. The real power of AI in game development lies in its ability to make this cycle efficient and user-friendly, even for non-coders.
7. Publish Your Game
Just as calculators revolutionized math by making number-crunching easier, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming coding. Now, even those without technical knowledge can create computer games. Take Kyo, an 8-year-old from Singapore, who developed a platform game in just two hours using basic English instructions. His game drew over 500,000 players. Kyo used the coding app Cursor and a general-purpose AI called Claude. Though his dad is a coder, Kyo got no help and has no formal coding training. Remarkably, he went on to create another game, an animation app, a drawing app, and a chatbot, all within a few hours.
This advancement shows how AI is lowering barriers in software development, merging creativity and technical skill. Tools like Google’s AlphaCode 2 and Replit’s Ghostwriter are also designed for this purpose. In another example, an 8-year-old American girl named Fay built a chatbot mimicking Harry Potter in just 45 minutes. Her bot was so advanced it asked about the Deathly Hallows and suggested chatting over butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. For experienced coders, AI applications can predict and autocomplete code, making them efficient assistants for various tasks.
