Game Dev Start

Game Dev Start — Project Onboarding

🎯 Purpose

Get a developer from zero to a running game project in the right engine with the right scope, without assuming anything about their experience level or platform.

🤖 Multi-Platform Notes

Platform Adaptation

• If the AI can read/write files: Show context questions → ask → create files.
• If the AI cannot write files (chat-only): Output the complete file content in a code block and tell the user to save it themselves.
• If the AI can run CLI commands: Try to detect project state automatically (e.g. ls *.csproj for Unity, ls project.godot for Godot).

🔍 Detect Project State

Look for these files in the current/project directory:

❓ Phase 1: Onboarding Questions

Ask these questions one at a time unless the user provides a rich answer upfront.

Question 1: Context

"Where are you starting from?"

1) No idea — I just want to make a game but don't know where to start
2) Vague idea — I have a concept but no project set up
3) Clear vision — I know what I want to build and need help setting up
4) Existing project — I have a project already started

Question 2: Experience (if 1-3)

"What's your experience level?"

1) First time — never made a game
2) Beginner — made a few small things
3) Intermediate — shipped something or worked on a team
4) Advanced — experienced but using a new engine

Question 3: Engine preference (if applicable)

"Any engine preference?"

1) Godot 4.x (great for 2D, FOSS, lightweight)
2) Unity 6/7 (great for 2D/3D, C#, huge ecosystem)
3) Unreal 5.x (AAA 3D, Blueprints/C++, steep learning)
4) Custom/other (SDL, Bevy, Phaser, etc.)
5) Not sure — recommend for me

Question 4: Scope (if clear vision)

"What's the scope?"

1) Micro — 1-2 week prototype, jam game
2) Small — month-long vertical slice
3) Medium — 3-6 month polished project
4) Large — 6+ month commercial release

🗺️ Phase 2: Routing

Based on answers, route to the correct workflow:

🏗️ Phase 3: Onboarding Output

After routing, create a project context file:

game-dev-studio/
├── context.md          ← this onboarding output
└── skills/             ← skill folders

context.md template:

# Game Project Context

## Identity
- **Project:** [project name or "TBD"]
- **Engine:** [Godot / Unity / Unreal / Custom]
- **Genre:** [genre]
- **Platform targets:** [PC / Mobile / Console / Web]

## Team
- **Developer count:** [1 / 2 / small team]
- **Experience:** [beginner / intermediate / advanced]

## Status
- **Phase:** [onboarding / concept / prototype / GDD / dev / release]
- **Engine setup:** [not started / configured / running]
- **Next step:** [link to skill or task]

## Scope
- **Estimated duration:** [2 weeks / 1 month / 3 months / 6+ months]
- **Team size:** [solo / small / large]

🔗 Next Steps

After onboarding, chain to the appropriate skill:

• brainstorm — if concept needs development
• setup-engine — if engine is chosen but not configured
• game-design-doc — if concept is clear and needs documentation
• architecture — if tech design is needed
• prototype — if validating a risky mechanic quickly
• sprint-dev — if entering active development