Skip to content
Get packs

Game Concept Prototype

Builds a throwaway game prototype to test whether a core game idea is fun before full design docs.

Source Download skill
Repository
Donchitos/Claude-Code-Game-Studios
Stars
32,965
Licence
MIT
Files
11 files

What it does

This skill guides an AI agent through a structured game-design process: it sharpens one question about a game idea, loads existing concept context, picks a prototype style (throwaway HTML, a game-engine build, or a paper playtest), plans and builds a small test, then debriefs and gives a PROCEED, PIVOT, KILL or NOT ASSESSED verdict. The agent writes the prototype code itself, so once installed it works through the whole prototype cycle rather than just answering questions about game design. The detailed steps live in separate reference files that the skill tells the agent to read in turn.

Great for

  • Indie game developers deciding whether a core mechanic is worth months of design work
  • Game design students testing a mechanic quickly
  • Teams running a short mid-production spike to check a risky mechanic

Skip it if

  • Finished games or production code: the prototype code is explicitly throwaway and must never be merged into production (the skill itself forbids this), so it is not a way to build a shipping game
  • Networked or multiplayer feel: the skill warns that a local prototype cannot show how latency changes a mechanic's feel, so it should not be used as proof that a networked mechanic feels good

Try asking

  • “Prototype a grappling-hook movement mechanic to see if it is fun before writing a design doc”
  • “Run a mid-production spike with --spike to test whether a combat timing change works”
  • “Build two quick variants of a puzzle idea in HTML and compare which one to keep”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Game Concept PrototypeInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 11 original files, the MIT licence and an attribution note.

    prototype.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip prototype.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip prototype.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Start with a single, clearly stated question about one mechanic, since the skill stops and simplifies if scope grows.
  • Use the --path flag (html, engine or paper) to pick the cheapest prototype style that can answer your question.
  • Treat three PIVOT verdicts on the same concept as a signal to start a fresh concept rather than iterate again.

What's inside

  • references/1-question.md
  • references/2-load-context.md
  • references/3-choose-path.md
  • references/4-plan.md
  • references/5-implement.md
  • references/6-debrief.md
  • references/7-report.md
  • references/8-cd-review.md
  • references/9-summary.md
  • references/spike-mode.md
  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from Donchitos/Claude-Code-Game-Studios under the MIT licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.