game-dev

Game Dev

Turn a game brief into a playable, visually coherent browser game. Keep the game code, deterministic asset processing, builds, and tests local. Use SandBase only for optional generative assets that the user requests.

Read the SandBase API map before generating concept art, textures, sprites, backgrounds, or other AI media.

Establish the build target

Before implementation, resolve only the choices that materially affect the architecture:

• genre, player goal, failure and success conditions;
• input methods and target devices;
• 2D or 3D presentation, camera, aspect ratio, and art direction;
• required mechanics, content scope, and accessibility expectations;
• supplied assets, rights restrictions, target repository, and delivery format.

Inspect the existing project and preserve its framework, package manager, engine, and conventions. For a new project, choose the smallest suitable stack: native canvas or a focused 2D engine for simple 2D games, and a WebGL engine such as Babylon.js for substantial 3D work. Do not replace an established engine merely because another is familiar.

Plan around risk

Write a compact implementation plan for work that spans more than one mechanic. Identify the riskiest slice first: physics feel, procedural generation, animation state, navigation, camera behavior, pointer lock, shaders, networking, asset import, or performance.

Define observable acceptance criteria for each slice. A criterion should describe something a player can see or do, not merely a class or file that exists.

Keep gameplay state and rules independent from the UI shell where practical. Separate input, simulation, rendering, audio, persistence, and scene transitions enough that each can be tested without rebuilding the entire game.

Build a playable vertical slice

Implement the smallest loop that demonstrates the intended experience:

1. load into a valid starting state;
2. accept the primary controls;
3. update the world deterministically enough to debug;
4. communicate goals, feedback, damage or progress, and end states;
5. restart without a page reload or corrupted state.