Angry Pumpkins, a game inspired by Angry Birds, was made using ChatGPT, DALL-E and Midjourney. Creator Javi Lopez used natural language text prompts to get ChatGPT 4.0 to generate 600 lines of code to bring Angry Pumpkins to life. Lopez utilised Midjourney to create in-game objects, characters and background graphics. Additionally, Lopez used DALL-E to build the game’s title screen.
The game, which is available to play as a browser game, is relatively simplistic. Click on the angry pumpkin and aim before releasing it. The pumpkin will then fly through the air and, with any luck, take out a green monster or two. Angry Pumpkins only features one pre-made level. However, players can easily make their own levels by holding down specific keys on their keyboard and tapping the screen to insert game objects and monsters.
The most challenging aspect was generating code
According to Lopez, the most challenging part of creating the game was prompting ChatGPT to correctly generate the code. The code for Angry Pumpkins is available for anyone to view online.
“Although the game is just 600 lines of which I haven’t written ANY, [programming] was the most challenging part,” says Lopez in a Tweet. “As you can see, I got into adding many details like different particle effects, different types of objects, etc. And to this day, we’re still not at a point where GPT-4 can generate an entire game with just a prompt. But I have no doubt that in the future, we’ll be able to create triple AAA video games just by asking for it.”
While the feat is admirable, it does raise the concern that AI may replace game developers in the future. Netflix is looking to use AI in developing its games, according to a recent job posting. Likewise, Halo creator Bungie recently posted a job listing for an AI designer. Similarly, Homa Games has released an AI-powered game idea generator.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.