Build a FULL TEXT GAME with AI in 1 hour, WITHOUT coding

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to build a full text game called "Vampire Security Checkpoint" using AI tools, specifically Claude and Cursor AI, without writing any code. This game simulates a security officer's role in a Transylvania town where you need to determine if visitors are vampires by asking questions. The process is simplified and can be completed in about an hour, making it accessible for beginners and those interested in AI-driven development.

Step 1: Initialize the Next.js Project

1. Ensure that Node.js is installed on your machine.
2. Open your terminal and create a new Next.js project by asking Claude:

   Show me step by step how to initialize a Next.js project.
   

3. Follow the provided instructions to create your project:
   • Navigate to the directory where you want to create your project.
   • Run the command:

     npx create-next-app security-checkpoint
     

4. Choose whether to use TypeScript, and accept the recommended settings.
5. Once the project is created, navigate into the project directory:

   cd security-checkpoint
   

6. Start the development server:

   npm run dev
   

7. Open your browser and visit http://localhost:3000 to verify the project is running.

Step 2: Set Up Cursor AI for Development

1. Go to Cursor AI and set up your coding environment.
2. Enable the AI-assisted chat feature by pressing Command + L.
3. Copy and paste the game specification into Cursor AI:
   • Describe the game mechanics, including the role of the player and the interaction flow with the AI.
4. Ask Cursor to create the game components step by step:

   Your task is to build the following simulation game in Next.js. Read this spec carefully and think through it step by step.
   

Step 3: Build Game Components

1. Start by creating the main game component. When Cursor suggests code changes, simply click "Apply" for each suggestion.
2. Create a new folder named components inside the app directory.
3. Create the following components:
   • GameInstructions: For displaying game rules.
   • GameScreen: The main screen where the gameplay occurs.
4. Follow any additional prompts from Cursor to implement the game logic.

Step 4: Implement AI Integration

1. Create an API route for AI requests. Ask Cursor where to create it:

   Clarify where to create the API file for LLM requests.
   

   • Typically, it will be in api/llm/route.ts.
2. Add your OpenAI API key securely by creating a .env.local file:

   OPENAI_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
   

3. Update the .gitignore file to include .env.local to prevent it from being committed.

Step 5: Enhance the User Interface

1. Use Cursor AI to suggest CSS improvements for the game:

   Improve the UI and styling of the game.
   

2. Add animations and enhance overall aesthetics based on AI suggestions.
3. Ensure the chat box auto-scrolls to the bottom when new messages appear.

Step 6: Debugging and Testing

1. If you encounter errors during development, copy the error message and ask Cursor for a solution.
2. Test the game by asking questions to visitors and determining if they are vampires.
3. Implement feedback mechanisms (e.g., pop-ups) to inform players if they made the correct decisions.

Step 7: Deployment

1. To deploy your app, consider using Vercel:

   How do I deploy this app to Vercel?
   

2. Follow the prompts and commands provided by Cursor to set up deployment.
3. Once deployed, you can add a custom domain if desired.

Conclusion

You have successfully built a text-based game using AI tools without writing any code. This tutorial demonstrated how to initialize a Next.js project, leverage AI for coding assistance, and deploy your application. The next steps could involve further enhancing the game mechanics or exploring more complex AI integrations to enrich the gameplay experience. Enjoy experimenting with your new skills in AI-driven development!