Creating a video game for the first time can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. It’s a blend of creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills, but also a journey full of challenges and learning curves. Like many others in the game development community, I turned to AI to assist in my journey. Specifically, I used ChatGPT to help with various aspects of my game development, from brainstorming ideas to writing code and fixing bugs. While ChatGPT was a helpful tool throughout the process, there were several mistakes I made along the way that I wish I had known how to avoid.
Leveraging ChatGPT in Game Development: A Helpful Assistant with Limitations
When I began my game development project, I had minimal experience in coding and game design. However, I had a clear vision of what I wanted to create and figured that AI could provide the support I needed to bring it to life. ChatGPT seemed like the perfect partner, offering real-time assistance, suggestions, and even the ability to generate code snippets. Initially, it was amazing—ideas flowed faster, and I was able to overcome some technical barriers I’d never been able to solve on my own.
1. Brainstorming and Conceptualization
The first way I used ChatGPT was for brainstorming. Game development starts with an idea, and ChatGPT was a great resource for helping me refine and expand my initial concept. For instance, I would describe a rough idea for a game mechanic or storyline, and ChatGPT would generate a more fleshed-out version of it. This included character development, world-building, and even suggesting different game genres based on what I described.
While this was helpful in creating the foundation for my game, I realized later that I relied too heavily on AI-generated ideas. I found that my creativity became somewhat dependent on the AI’s suggestions. As a result, the game’s initial concept lacked some originality, as I hadn’t fully developed my own vision beyond what the AI had suggested. It’s crucial to use AI as a tool for inspiration, but I learned that relying on it too much can limit your creative potential.
2. Writing Code and Game Logic
The next phase of development was coding. At the time, I was still learning the basics of programming, so I turned to ChatGPT for help with writing simple code for game mechanics. Whether it was setting up player movement, adding an inventory system, or creating basic enemy AI, ChatGPT provided code snippets that I could copy-paste into my project.
However, this approach introduced a problem: I didn’t fully understand the code I was using. ChatGPT would provide me with answers, but I didn’t take the time to study the logic behind them. As a result, when things went wrong—like when the game didn’t run properly or errors appeared—I had no idea how to fix the issues. I had copied and pasted code, but I hadn’t learned how to troubleshoot or modify it when needed.
This mistake taught me the importance of learning the fundamentals of game development and coding, rather than relying entirely on AI. ChatGPT can provide excellent assistance, but understanding the underlying principles is essential for long-term success. I now make it a point to thoroughly learn the code snippets I use and ensure I understand how each function contributes to the overall project.
3. Debugging and Problem Solving
As I progressed, I encountered bugs—some of which were easy to fix, while others seemed insurmountable. ChatGPT was great for generating solutions or offering debugging advice, but there were times when the AI wasn’t precise enough. It would provide a general solution, which often worked in simple cases but failed to address more specific or complicated issues.
For example, when a particular bug caused the player’s character to freeze in place, ChatGPT suggested a few generic fixes related to player input and movement functions. While one of them worked, I found that many of the AI’s suggestions missed the mark for more complex problems. I spent hours implementing fixes that didn’t resolve the issue, leading to frustration and wasted time.
This experience highlighted the limitations of AI when it comes to nuanced problem-solving. While ChatGPT is a valuable tool, it can’t replace the deep understanding and troubleshooting skills that come with experience in game development. After realizing this, I started to combine the AI’s suggestions with my own research and experimentation, which ultimately led to more effective solutions.
4. Testing and Playability
Once I had the basic mechanics of my game up and running, I turned to playtesting. I initially assumed that the game would be fun and functional right off the bat, thanks to all the work I’d put in. However, after testing it myself, I realized there were many areas in need of improvement.
At first, I used ChatGPT to analyze player feedback, thinking it could help me fine-tune the game’s balance, pacing, and difficulty. While it did help me generate ideas for improvements, I didn’t take enough time to manually test the game and assess its flow. I learned that no matter how much input I got from AI, there was no substitute for real, hands-on testing.
As I began conducting more thorough playtests with real players, I started noticing critical flaws that I had missed. For example, a puzzle mechanic I thought would be easy was too challenging for most players, while a boss fight that seemed intense in theory turned out to be too easy. I had to go back to the drawing board, redesign some levels, and rethink mechanics.
This taught me the importance of iterative testing and not relying too heavily on outside suggestions without first validating the experience through real-world testing. AI tools can be great, but they can’t replace the feedback you get from real players interacting with your game.
The Takeaway: AI Is a Tool, Not a Crutch
Looking back at the process, I realize that ChatGPT was an invaluable resource for my first game, but it’s important to use it as a tool rather than a crutch. While AI can help accelerate the development process and offer creative ideas, it’s essential to balance AI assistance with your own understanding of the game development process. Whether it’s brainstorming, coding, debugging, or playtesting, there’s no substitute for learning the craft yourself.
By combining the insights provided by ChatGPT with hands-on practice and testing, you can create better, more polished games. Don’t make the same mistakes I did—use AI to augment your knowledge and creativity, but always ensure that you’re learning and growing as a developer along the way.