Before you start
A coding agent, a practice folder and placeholder shapes. Original generated art can be added after the loop works.
Why this lesson exists
The ASH VECTOR post uses a playful game to test new tools. The useful lesson is a bounded experiment with visible failure, including art mistakes that need human review.
Do the exercise
Write the smallest loop
Choose move, avoid one hazard, reach an exit and restart. Give the player a clear win and loss condition. Exclude extra levels, inventory and multiplayer.
Build with placeholders
Ask the agent for a minimal playable scene with visible collision shapes. Test movement and restart before generating final art. Explain the controls on screen.
Add one coherent art set
Create references for the player, environment and hazard. Inspect anatomy, silhouettes and contrast at game size. Keep old assets so you can revert a poor replacement.
Play the whole level
Test start-to-win and start-to-loss on the intended device. Check restart twice and record remaining issues. A trailer is promotional material, not evidence of gameplay quality.
A prompt to adapt
Replace the bracketed parts with your own practice details.
Build one small playable level with movement, one hazard, an exit, win/loss states and restart. Use placeholder shapes first and keep rules separate from rendering. Show debug collisions and clear controls. Test complete win and loss paths before adding polish. Exclude extra levels and multiplayer.
What this looks like
A visually impressive opening screen does not count as a playable loop. You should be able to start, make a meaningful decision, reach an outcome and restart without refreshing.
Check your result
Use evidence from your output. A confident explanation from the AI is not enough.
- Both win and loss paths are playable.
- Restart restores the intended initial state.
- Artwork remains readable during movement.
If it isn’t working
If adding art breaks playability, return to placeholders and fix the behavior. Use original assets or assets you have permission to use rather than assuming a familiar game’s content is reusable.
Optional. Progress stays in this browser.
Where this came from
Original LinkedIn post ↗. The practice lesson is an adaptation, not a verbatim transcript. About the sources.
Prepared September 2026. Tools and interfaces change; use current official setup instructions. Session lengths are estimates.