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How to make a survival game with AI

Survival games are about staying alive against something: hunger, cold, monsters or time. They can get complex, but a simple version is a great AI project. You won't need to code. You describe the game, paste the prompt into an AI coding tool such as Claude, Cursor, Bolt or ChatGPT, and it builds a browser game you can play straight away.

Pick one or two things to survive, not five. A health bar and a food bar, or a day-night cycle with monsters at night, is enough pressure to make a fun first version.

How to do it in 3 steps

  1. Copy the Starter recipe. Use the Copy button below to grab it.
  2. Paste it into an AI tool. Paste into a fresh project and let it build.
  3. Survive one night, then tune it. If you die too fast or never feel in danger, ask the AI to adjust how fast the meters drop.

Free Starter recipe

This is the Starter recipe from Argatha: Lost World. Copy it as is, or change the details to make it yours.

Read the full recipe
Build a small, playable browser game inspired by "Argatha: Lost World" (Survival, Crafting).
Concept: Survive, Build And Tame Creatures in the lost world of Argatha.
Tech: use Three.js; keep it to a single page that loads instantly with no login or install.
Controls: keyboard and mouse on desktop, shown on a short how-to-play screen.
Multiplayer: the original is listed as multiplayer. Start with a local or bot opponent, then add online play (e.g. WebSockets) once the core loop is fun.
Core loop: include levels, stages or waves that ramp up.
Steps: 1) get the core mechanic playable with placeholder shapes, 2) add win/lose conditions and restart, 3) polish feel, visuals and sound, 4) add your own twist (setting, character or one new rule).
Make it your own: don't copy the original's name, art, text or code.

Heads up: Starter recipes are learning templates written by Vibe1Up, not the creator's own prompt.

Play real survival games made with AI

See what's possible before you build. Each one is listed on Vibe1Up with credit to its creator.

Screenshot of Argatha: Lost World

Argatha: Lost World

by @HLS_dev · Three.js

Survive, Build And Tame Creatures in the lost world of Argatha

More survival games →

Remix it: easy ideas to try

Once your first version works, paste one of these into the same chat:

FAQ

What should a first survival game include?
A player, one or two needs like health and food, something to collect, and something dangerous. That's the whole loop.
How do I add crafting without it getting complicated?
Start with two or three recipes, like wood plus stone makes an axe. Ask the AI to keep recipes in a simple list you can edit.
Can I save progress?
Yes. Ask the AI to save the game in the browser's local storage, so it's still there after a refresh.

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