My Review of Using ChatGPT to Code My Running Game:

I decided to use ChatGPT to help me code my game Roll, Run, Rock: A Running Game. I wanted to create a two-player mode that could be played to make exercising exciting and fun. I thought ChatGPT might help me save time and avoid some headaches. But it wasn’t as smooth as I thought it’d be.

Turning ideas into code: A girl brings her game vision to life with a little help from ChatGPT.

First off, the AI did help me get some of the basics down, like the basic game format and setting up the game mechanics. But there were times it just didn’t get what I needed. Instead of being flexible and keeping the design I had in mind, it would suggest changes to the format or remove features that I thought were important, like the button layout. It was a bit frustrating because I had a vision, and it felt like ChatGPT was pulling me in another direction.

If you're thinking about using ChatGPT for your own project, here are a few tips to avoid the same headaches I ran into:

1. Be Super Clear About What You Want

Don’t leave room for interpretation. If you need something specific, spell it out. The more details you give, the better the results. Otherwise, you might get suggestions you don't want (like the one where it deleted a button that I needed).

2. Don’t Rely on It for Design Decisions

If you're building something with a particular layout or design in mind, be prepared to handle that yourself. ChatGPT is great for the coding side of things, but it might mess with the overall vision you’ve got for how the game should look and feel.

3. Test as You Go

Don’t just sit there and wait for the entire game to be coded. Try out each piece as it’s done and tweak things as you go. ChatGPT is helpful, but it won’t always get everything right on the first try.

4. Iterate and Don’t Settle

The first responses I got were fine, but I had to keep refining things to make it actually work. Don’t just accept whatever it gives you right away. Test, test, and then test again. It might take more work than you expect, but at least you'll learn a lot along the way.

5. Expect Some Frustration

It’s not going to be perfect every time, so be patient. If it doesn’t work the way you want, ask for clarification or try a different approach. ChatGPT can be helpful, but you’ll have to guide it a lot.

In the end, using ChatGPT was helpful for some basic coding tasks, but it definitely didn’t solve everything. If you're cool with getting your hands dirty and making adjustments, it can be a solid tool, but don’t expect it to do the heavy lifting without a few hiccups. Click here to check out our game Roll, Run, Rock: A Running Game and let us know your thoughts.

Image Credit

Image by TyliJura from Pixabay.com