Why I built this

I built this game for two reasons. First, I wanted to challenge myself to build a game. Second, I wanted to build something fun.

Growing up, I loved word games like Hangman, Scribble, and Wheel of Fortune. They were simple, but they held your attention. With that in mind, I set out to build something that combined elements of all three.

How I built it

I started with the end in mind. Before writing any code, I was clear about how the game should feel: simple, quiet, and slightly uncomfortable.

I used AI as part of the process, but not as the source of the idea. I used ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner to help organize my thinking. Once the idea was clear, I used Claude to build a quick visual demo so I could see how the game might look and feel. After that, I came back to ChatGPT to help implement the game step by step.

Key takeaways

1. Start simple. When you try to build something, it’s easy to add more than you need. Going back to the core and removing unnecessary pieces made the game stronger.

2. Don’t lose momentum. The moment you have an idea is when your energy is highest. Building quickly while that excitement is still there helps carry the project forward.

3. Be clear about your vision. I like to work backwards, starting with the end experience in mind. When the goal is clear, decisions along the way become easier.

4. AI is a tool, not a replacement. AI works best when it helps execute a clear vision. It doesn’t replace judgment. It amplifies it. The direction still has to come from you.