From Zero to Word Search: A Game Designer’s Coding Journey with AI

Creating something from nothing is a powerful feeling. For a game designer, that often means sketching levels, crafting narratives, or tweaking game mechanics. But what if the urge to create extends beyond the design document and into the code itself? This is the story of how a game designer, with minimal coding experience, brought a simple Word Search game to life.

The Spark of an Idea

The itch to build something small, clean, and fun—without the pressures of monetization—is a familiar one to many creatives. No ads, no logins, just pure gameplay. For this designer, the goal was a classic Word Search, optimized for mobile devices and built with speed and simplicity in mind.

Enter AI: A Coding Companion

The journey began with ChatGPT. This AI tool became a coding companion, providing nudges and guidance along the way. The game took shape surprisingly quickly, built entirely with static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Randomized word lists added replayability without complex database integration.

Building a Simple Word Search Game: A Step-by-Step Guide

Inspired by this story? Here’s a simplified look at how you can create your own word search game:

• HTML Structure: Create a grid layout using HTML. Each cell in the grid will hold a letter.
• CSS Styling: Style the grid with CSS to create the visual appearance of the game. Consider responsive design for various screen sizes.
• JavaScript Logic: Use JavaScript to:
  • Generate a list of words.
  • Randomly place the words within the grid (horizontally, vertically, and diagonally).
  • Fill the remaining grid spaces with random letters.
  • Implement user interaction to select letters and check for matching words.

The Power of Scrappy Projects

Building something just for the joy of it can be incredibly empowering. It’s a chance to learn new skills, experiment with different technologies, and see an idea come to fruition without the usual constraints. This project demonstrates that even with minimal coding experience, creating a simple game is within reach. It also highlights the potential of AI tools to assist in the creative process.

Tips for Your Own Coding Adventure

If you’re inspired to embark on your own coding project, here are a few tips:

• Start small: Begin with a simple project like a Word Search or a Number Guessing game.
• Embrace AI assistance: Tools like ChatGPT can be valuable resources for learning and troubleshooting.
• Focus on learning: Don’t be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. The learning process is as important as the final product.
• Share your work: Showing your project to others can provide valuable feedback and encouragement.
• Most importantly: Have fun! Coding should be an enjoyable experience.

Beyond the Word Search

This initial project opens the door to a world of possibilities. With newfound confidence and the assistance of AI, the next project could be even more ambitious. Perhaps a simple platformer, a puzzle game, or even a text-based adventure. The journey from game designer to game developer has just begun.