Game development is a massive creative puzzle. You have to fit together countless pieces, including a great concept, solid code, a compelling story, and smart marketing. Sometimes, you just can’t find the right piece.
This guide is your toolbox. We have written these prompts to help you use ChatGPT as a powerful assistant for every task. To use them, simply copy a prompt and replace the [placeholders] with your specific project details.
We’ve organized them from start to finish, so you can find exactly what you need, right when you need it. They cover everything from designing your main character and debugging a pesky error to writing your store page description.
Let’s get building.
1. Ideation & Concept Development
These prompts help you brainstorm and solidify your core idea.
- Generating Core Concepts:
Act as a creative game designer. Brainstorm [number] unique game concepts that blend the genres of[genre A]and[genre B]. Each concept should have a unique gameplay hook, a target audience, and a potential art style. The main theme is[central theme, e.g., "cyberpunk decay," "magical realism"]. - Developing a Game Design Document (GDD) Outline:
Act as a lead game producer. Generate a comprehensive GDD outline for a[genre]game titled[Game Title]. The outline should include sections for: Game Overview, Core Gameplay Loop, Key Features, Target Audience, Monetization Model ([e.g., premium, free-to-play with IAPs]), Art Style, and Technical Specifications ([Engine, Platform]). - Creating a Core Gameplay Loop:
Describe the core gameplay loop for a[game genre]where the player is a[player role, e.g., "a time-traveling detective"]. Break it down into a simple, repeatable sequence of actions the player will perform, focusing on the central verbs of the game (e.g., “Explore -> Find Clue -> Analyze -> Confront Suspect -> Repeat”). - Brainstorming Unique Mechanics:
I’m designing a[game genre]for[platform, e.g., "PC"]. My core mechanic is[existing mechanic, e.g., "crafting"]. Suggest [number] innovative twists or supporting mechanics that would make this system feel fresh and engaging. For example, consider mechanics related to[a specific theme, e.g., "elemental magic," "resource scarcity"].
2. Pre-Production & System Design
Here, you’ll plan the architecture and technical details before heavy coding begins.
- Designing a Scalable System Architecture:
Act as a senior software architect. Outline a robust and scalable architecture for an[type of system, e.g., "inventory system," "quest system," "skill tree"]in[Engine]. The game is a[game genre]. The design should consider data structures, potential for future expansion (like DLC), and how it will interface with other systems like the[other system, e.g., "player stats system"]. - Planning a Class Structure:
Act as a Senior[Language, e.g., C#]Developer. I need to implement a[feature, e.g., "character ability system"]in[Engine]. Propose a class structure using[design pattern, e.g., "Strategy Pattern," "State Pattern"]. Define the responsibilities for key classes like `AbilityManager`, `BaseAbility`, and specific ability implementations (e.g., `FireballAbility`). - Choosing the Right Data Structure:
For a[game genre]built in[Engine], I need to store[type of data, e.g., "all items in a level," "player high scores," "dialogue trees"]. Which data structure ([e.g., Dictionary, List, Array, Custom ScriptableObject]) would be most efficient for this task in terms of[performance metric, e.g., "lookup speed," "memory usage," "iteration"]? Explain the pros and cons of your chosen structure. - Prototyping a Core Mechanic:
Write a simple, self-contained script in[Language]for[Engine]to prototype a[core mechanic, e.g., "grappling hook," "time rewind," "dialogue choice"]. The script should be for a[2D/3D]environment and handle only the essential logic. Add comments explaining the key steps. - Designing a Level Blueprint:
Act as a senior level designer. I need a design blueprint for a level in my[game genre]game,[Game Title]. The level is called[Level Name]and its theme is[level theme, e.g., "an abandoned space station overgrown with alien flora"]. The player must achieve the following objectives:[List 2-3 key objectives, e.g., "1. Find the security keycard. 2. Reach the control room. 3. Activate the station's emergency broadcast."]. The design blueprint should include: Flow and Pace, Key Areas, Enemy and Hazard Placement, Resource and Reward Placement, and Choke Points/Landmarks.
3. Production – Programming & Engineering
This is the heart of development – writing, debugging, and optimizing code.
- Writing Specific Game Logic:
Act as a[Engine]expert using[Language]. Write a script that implements the following behavior:[describe the specific behavior clearly, e.g., "An enemy that patrols between three waypoints. If it sees the player within a 10-unit cone of vision, it should chase the player. If it loses sight for 5 seconds, it should return to its patrol route."] - Debugging and Error Resolution:
Act as a senior programmer. I’m getting an error in[Engine]:[paste the full error message here]. This error occurs when I[describe the action that triggers the error]. Here is the relevant code snippet that I believe is causing the problem:[paste your code snippet here]
What is the likely cause of this error, and what are the most effective ways to fix it? - Code Optimization:
Analyze this[Language]code snippet from my[Engine]project. It runs in the[method name, e.g., "Update()", "Tick()"]loop and is causing performance issues.[paste your inefficient code here]
Identify performance bottlenecks and refactor the code to be more efficient. Explain the changes you made, such as[e.g., "caching component references," "reducing garbage collection," "using a more efficient algorithm"]. - Shader Development:
Write a shader for[Engine/Shader Language, e.g., "Unity URP (HLSL)", "Godot Shading Language"]. The shader should create a[describe the visual effect, e.g., "force field ripple effect on impact," "2D water distortion," "holographic glitch effect"]. It needs to be an[lit/unlit]shader and should expose the following parameters to the material inspector:[list parameters, e.g., "_Color", "_RippleSpeed", "_DistortionAmount"]. - Implementing AI Behavior:
Provide a blueprint or code example in[Engine/Language]for an AI enemy in a[game genre]. Implement a finite-state machine (FSM) with the following states:[list of states, e.g., "IDLE," "PATROL," "CHASE," "ATTACK"]. Detail the conditions for transitioning between these states.
4. Production – Art, Audio & Asset Creation
Prompts to guide the creative direction and technical implementation of assets.
- Generating Art Style Concepts:
Act as an Art Director. I’m creating a[game genre]game set in a[setting, e.g., "bioluminescent alien jungle"]. Generate [number] distinct art style descriptions. For each, describe the color palette, key visual motifs, character design philosophy, and provide inspirational keywords or artist names. - Writing Asset Creation Briefs for Artists:
Create a detailed asset brief for a 3D artist. The asset is a[asset name, e.g., "Legendary Sword of Ash"]. The brief should include:
– **Description:**[Detailed visual and narrative description]
– **Art Style:**[e.g., "Stylized PBR, similar to Sea of Thieves"]
– **Technical Constraints:**[e.g., "Under 5,000 triangles," "Uses a single 2048x2048 texture map (Albedo, Normal, Metallic/Smoothness)"]
– **Reference Images/Keywords:**[Provide concepts or descriptive keywords] - Sound Design Ideas:
Brainstorm a list of essential sound effects for a[player action or event, e.g., "player casting a fire spell," "a futuristic door opening"]in a[game genre]game. For each sound, describe its layers and character (e.g., “Fire Spell: A sharp *crack* for the cast, followed by a low *whoosh* of air, and a final *crackle* of burning embers”). - Music Composition Brief:
Act as an Audio Director. Write a music brief for a composer for the[level or situation, e.g., "main menu," "tense stealth section," "final boss battle"]of my game,[Game Title].
– **Mood & Emotion:**[e.g., "Epic and triumphant, but with a hint of melancholy"]
– **Tempo:**[e.g., "Slow and atmospheric, around 60 BPM"]
– **Instrumentation:**[e.g., "Orchestral strings, heavy brass, and a subtle electronic synth pad"]
– **Inspirational Tracks:**[List 2-3 examples from other games or movies]
5. Production – Narrative & World-Building
Prompts for crafting compelling stories, characters, and immersive worlds.
- Character Backstory Creation:
Generate a compelling backstory for a character named[Character Name], who is the[role, e.g., "antagonist," "wise mentor"]in my[game genre]game. Their core motivation is[character motivation, e.g., "to protect their family at any cost"], but their fatal flaw is[character flaw, e.g., "their overwhelming pride"]. Connect their backstory to the main plot event:[main plot event]. - Writing Quest Descriptions and Dialogue:
Write the player-facing journal entry for a quest called[Quest Name]. The quest is given by[NPC Name]and requires the player to[quest objective]. Then, write a short, characterful dialogue snippet where the NPC gives the player this quest. The NPC’s personality is[e.g., "gruff and impatient," "nervous but hopeful"]. - World-Building and Lore Generation:
I’m building a world called[World Name]. Generate lore details about[a specific topic, e.g., "a fallen ancient civilization," "the magic system and its origins," "the political conflict between two major factions"]. The lore should explain[a key world element, e.g., "why ancient ruins are full of dangerous robots"].
6. Quality Assurance & Post-Production
Prompts for testing, polishing, and preparing for launch.
- Generating Test Cases:
Act as a QA Lead. Generate a list of test cases to validate the[game feature, e.g., "character customization screen," "in-game store functionality"]. Include positive test cases (expected usage), negative test cases (unexpected user input), and edge cases (extreme values or rare scenarios). - Formatting Bug Reports:
Create a clear and professional bug report template. The template should include fields for: Title, Build Version, Steps to Reproduce, Expected Result, and Actual Result. Then, populate this template for a sample bug:[describe a sample bug, e.g., "Player gets stuck in a wall after dashing into a corner in the Ice Caverns level"]. - Balancing Game Mechanics:
Act as a systems designer. My[game genre]has a[mechanic, e.g., "crafting recipe for a health potion"]that feels[imbalance issue, e.g., "too cheap" or "overpowered"]. The current recipe requires[current requirements]. Suggest three balanced alternative recipes, explaining how each change would affect player behavior and game economy.
7. Marketing, Launch & Community
Prompts to help you market your game and engage with your players.
- Writing Store Page Descriptions:
Act as a marketing copywriter. Write a compelling short description (for platforms like Steam’s “elevator pitch” section) and a detailed “About This Game” description for my game,[Game Title].
– **Game Genre:**[Game Genre]
– **Key Features:**[List 3-5 standout features]
– **Unique Selling Proposition (USP):**[What makes your game unique?] - Brainstorming Marketing and Social Media Posts:
Generate[number]ideas for social media posts to promote my upcoming game,[Game Title]. The posts should be for[platform, e.g., "Twitter," "TikTok," "Instagram"]. Include ideas for[content type, e.g., "short gameplay clips," "character reveal images," "developer Q&A sessions"]. Write one example post. - Writing Patch Notes:
Act as a Community Manager. Write a set of patch notes for[Game Title], version[version number]. The tone should be[tone, e.g., "professional," "fun and informal"]. The update includes:
– **New Features:**[List of new features]
– **Balance Changes:**[List of balance changes]
– **Bug Fixes:**[List of key bug fixes]
Organize the notes clearly with headers. - Responding to Player Feedback:
Draft a professional and empathetic response to a negative player review. The review complains that[player complaint, e.g., "the final boss is unfairly difficult"]. The response should acknowledge the player’s frustration, thank them for their feedback, and[state your planned action, e.g., "mention that you are looking into the difficulty curve," "offer a helpful tip"].
Also, Check These Prompts:
- Game development is a complex coding challenge. Get help with debugging and optimization with our Prompts for Coding.
- The narrative of your game is crucial. Craft compelling stories and characters with our prompts for Creative Writing.
- Every successful game needs a great marketing plan. Get a head start with our ultimate list of Marketing Prompts.
