Always wondered how a video game is made and whether you would be capable of making one? Creating a video game might seem like a daunting task, reserved for those fluent in complex coding languages or with years of experience in game development. However, what if I told you that with the aid of ChatGPT, anyone could create their very own game in less than five minutes? Yes, you read that correctly— less than five minutes. This guide will show you how to make a game using ChatGPT in less than 5 minutes, regardless of your background in programming or game design. This tutorial is for EVERYONE.
In this article, we will walk you through a simplified, step-by-step approach that leverages the power of AI to bring your gaming ideas to life. So, grab your creative hat, and let’s dive into the world of AI-driven game development.
Note: In this tutorial, we will be using a GPT called Grimoire which is unfortunately only available for ChatGPT Plus users.
Creating your first game – building a simple Pong Game with ChatGPT
In this guide, we will be making a classic pong game. Pong, one of the earliest arcade video games, offers a simple yet captivating gameplay experience, making it an ideal project for beginners and a nostalgic venture for seasoned gamers. Using ChatGPT, we will break down this seemingly complex process into manageable steps, from conceptualization to the final touches of game development. For this guide, we will be using one of the best GPTs for coders called Grimoire.
How you can make a game using ChatGPT in under 5 minutes
Head over to the GPT store
To find this specific GPT you can type Grimoire in the search engine of the GPT store. Additionally, you could scroll down inside the store towards the programming category. Here you will see Grimoire listed as the number 1 GPT for programming and coding.
Read the Readme
To start using Grimoire for your Pong game, first, read the README by pressing “R.” This guide is packed with helpful instructions and shortcuts, like using W, A, S, and D for easier navigation. It’s designed to make your coding journey smooth and straightforward. Follow these steps closely, and you’ll find building your game becomes a lot simpler.
Creating the prompt
After you have read the README (optional) we can start with making the pong game. For creating the pong game we can just simply ask the GPT “Can you make a pong game that I can run in my browser? The GPT will start the process by generating the optimal HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code. You may be thinking, is it really that simple? Yes, it is that simple!
So are you done then? Not yet. Once ChatGPT (Grimoire) has generated the code, it will prompt you with some questions regarding how you’d like to proceed. This is the stage where you might find areas for improvement in the code or seek further clarification. You might want to improve/decrease the AI’s capabilities, incorporate sound effects, or make adjustments to refine the overall gaming experience. Simply respond to these questions using the letters provided by Grimoire.
In some cases, ChatGPT will not deliver these suggestions. In that case, you can simply ask: what are the possible next steps? The GPT will then continue its process, and you will be provided with the suggestions as you can see here above.
Testing the game
After ChatGPT creates your game, you’ll naturally want to test it to ensure it functions as expected. Occasionally, ChatGPT may provide a downloadable link directly, allowing you to play the game in your browser. However, in most instances, you’ll need to request this link. To do this, you can request a single HTML file by asking: “Please put all the code inside one HTML file and give a downloadable link for me to test the game”. ChatGPT will supply a link to the HTML file, allowing you to test the game. This testing phase is important for identifying any bugs or areas for logical improvements of your game.
Playing the game
Once you’re fully satisfied with your game’s development, it’s time to play it! You might want to deploy your game on a website or even your own website. To do this, simply inform ChatGPT with the following prompt, ‘The game is now finished. Could you connect it with Netlify?‘ Grimoire will try to make a connection with a Netlify app so that you can access the game in your browser. You should allow this connection and ChatGPT will then provide you with a downloadable link to try and play the game you just made in a Netlify app. And all of this in under 5 minutes! How cool is that?
Final result
After receiving the downloadable link from the Grimoire, simply click on it to play the game in your browser. However, keep in mind that, as mentioned by Grimoire (and can be seen in the screenshot above), the game will be available for only 1 hour. If you’re satisfied with the game after testing and encounter no issues, you can claim the URL to ensure your game remains accessible indefinitely. You need to create a Netlify account and that is it. This is free of charge and does not cost you any money. Below, you can see the final result of the Pong game I created. This implementation also includes a pause button, which prevents the game from continuing indefinitely, allowing it to be showcased effectively within this article. You can also check the full ChatGPT conversation HERE for more information.
Please click inside the game to start playing! You can move the paddle up and down with W and S.
Keep in mind, that the longer the rally lasts, the faster the ball will travel!
