Airplanes + Turrets + Rockets - Using Proven Algorithms
Challenge:
Can I combine good assets with proven algorithms to create something fun quickly?
Attempt 1:
Found a game tutorial with logic for turret tracking and homing missiles. Used those algorithms instead of asking AI to reinvent the wheel.
💬 PROMPT
"Make me a game where you have an airplane flying under the screen and you have turrets following it, shooting rockets at it" + provided existing game tutorial algorithms
✅ OUTCOME
- Turret tracking behavior worked much better than expected
- Visuals were functional but surprisingly bad (just squares moving around)
Gray circles as turrets tracking a green rectangle airplane
Red line missiles tracking the playerLessons learned:
- Real game logic from tutorials > asking AI to invent mechanics
- Just watching squares move around breaks suspension of disbelief completely
Next:
Try adding proper assets to make this actually look like a game
Ingredients
- AI Assistant: Claude Sonnet - ~$3 in API credits
- Tutorial Source: Game development tutorial with proven turret tracking algorithms - Free
- IDE/Platform: Browser-based game development - Free
- Assets: Basic geometric shapes (circles, rectangles, lines) - Free
- Algorithms:
- Turret tracking mathematics from tutorial
- Homing missile steering behaviors
- Key Discovery: Proven algorithms > AI-invented mechanics
- Time Investment: 3-4 hours of implementation and testing
Comments & Discussion
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