How I AI: Vibe Coding a 3D Multiplayer Game in 15 Minutes—with No Game Dev Experience

Host: Claire Vo
Guest: Cody D'Arclund, Senior Director of Developer Experience at Sentry
Release Date: May 5, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of How I AI, host Claire Vo sits down with Cody D'Arclund, a seasoned developer renowned for his expertise in vibe coding—leveraging AI to build applications swiftly and efficiently. Cody shares his innovative approach to creating a 3D multiplayer space flight simulator in just 15 minutes, all without prior game development experience. This episode delves into the practical applications of AI in software development, the iterative process of building with AI, and the unique challenges that arise along the way.

Vibe Coding: An Overview

Cody introduces the concept of vibe coding, explaining how AI tools can serve as junior developers assisting in various aspects of project development. He emphasizes the flexibility and accessibility that AI brings to the table, enabling even those without extensive development backgrounds to create functional applications.

• Cody D'Arclund [00:00]:

  "We're in this time period where everyone can go and do this. My kids have sat down and started playing with building games and things like that."

Claire praises this democratization of development, highlighting the positive impact of AI-assisted coding.

• Claire Vo [00:36]:

  "I just think that's a really interesting process that nets out net positive."

Live Demonstration: Building the Spaceflight Game

The core of the episode revolves around Cody's live demonstration of building a 3D multiplayer space flight simulator named Spaceflight. Using AI tools like Claude and Windsurf, Cody showcases the rapid development process, illustrating how broad concepts can be translated into concrete features through iterative AI assistance.

• Cody D'Arclund [05:09]:

  "I built this fun thing. It's a little game called Spaceflight. Anyone can go and play this. It's on Spaceflight.gg."

Cody explains his inspiration—drawing from classic flight simulators and modern multiplayer games—to create a space-themed experience that allows multiple players to interact in real-time.

AI Tools and Workflow Integration

Cody delves into his workflow, detailing how he utilizes AI as a collaborative partner in development. He discusses the seamless integration of traditional research methods with AI-driven assistance, treating the AI as a conversation with another developer to refine and implement features.

• Cody D'Arclund [00:18]:

  "I almost becomes like a conversation with another developer. Or you're like, hey, I learned this thing from the Internet. Can you implement this in the game?"

He highlights the importance of maintaining a broad project scope initially, allowing the AI to generate foundational elements that can later be fine-tuned. This approach contrasts with overly detailed project plans that can overwhelm AI tools and lead to suboptimal outcomes.

Iterative Development and Real-Time Adjustments

During the live demo, Cody demonstrates the iterative nature of vibe coding. As the AI generates code, Cody identifies and rectifies issues in real-time, showcasing the dynamic interplay between developer intuition and AI-generated solutions.

• Cody D'Arclund [17:31]:

  "It looks like it's rotating the camera here so we're getting a different look direction. It's making these updates."

Despite encountering bugs—such as reversed controls and camera misalignments—Cody effectively communicates with the AI to implement necessary fixes, emphasizing the importance of continuous iteration.

• Claire Vo [22:27]:

  "It looks amazing."

Cody reflects on the efficiency of this process, noting that tasks which would traditionally take hours or days can be accomplished in mere minutes with AI assistance.

• Cody D'Arclund [25:02]:

  "We got long ways in a short period of time."

Challenges and Problem-Solving with AI

The episode doesn't shy away from the challenges inherent in AI-assisted development. Cody shares moments where the AI introduces unintended features or malfunctions, illustrating the non-linear nature of collaboration between human and machine.

• Cody D'Arclund [24:00]:

  "We're setting up multiplayer, which would be another aspect to this game which I think would be very complicated to set up and prototype."

Claire observes the imperfections that arise, such as inconsistent camera views and unexpected feature implementations, highlighting that while AI accelerates development, it also necessitates vigilant oversight.

Insights and Best Practices

Cody offers valuable insights into optimizing the vibe coding process. He advises maintaining clarity and intentionality in project goals, setting clear guidelines, and being prepared to iterate frequently. By breaking down complex tasks into manageable components, developers can better harness AI's capabilities without becoming overwhelmed by its output.

• Cody D'Arclund [26:19]:

  "I think one of the things that's worth calling out here is I talked earlier about the problem with people throwing too much plan at it. But I think that a little bit of plan is a good thing..."

He underscores the significance of viewing AI as a collaborative tool rather than a complete solution, advocating for a balanced approach that leverages both human creativity and machine efficiency.

Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode concludes with a lightning round of questions, where Cody discusses balancing exploratory projects with professional development and strategies for managing AI-induced errors. His pragmatic approach offers a roadmap for developers looking to integrate AI into their workflows effectively.

• Cody D'Arclund [28:33]:

  "I just scream at it, why are you this way. No, I tend to ask it a lot of times, hey, can we start over..."

Claire commends the iterative process, acknowledging the blend of successes and setbacks as part of the learning journey with AI tools.

• Claire Vo [26:19]:

  "You take two steps forward, one step back. You add multiplayer, but you break the window."

Final Thoughts

Cody wraps up by encouraging the community to embrace AI-assisted development, sharing enthusiasm for the newfound accessibility and creative possibilities it unlocks. His demonstration serves as both inspiration and a practical guide for aspiring developers eager to explore the synergy between human ingenuity and artificial intelligence.

• Cody D'Arclund [30:23]:

  "There are enough things going wrong in the world that like being excited for this new world we're in where anyone can come in and build and build cool things is just really inspirational."

Key Quotes

• Cody D'Arclund [00:00]: "We're in this time period where everyone can go and do this. My kids have sat down and started playing with building games and things like that."

• Claire Vo [00:36]: "I just think that's a really interesting process that nets out net positive."

• Cody D'Arclund [05:09]: "I built this fun thing. It's a little game called Spaceflight. Anyone can go and play this. It's on Spaceflight.gg."

• Cody D'Arclund [00:18]: "I almost becomes like a conversation with another developer. Or you're like, hey, I learned this thing from the Internet. Can you implement this in the game?"

• Cody D'Arclund [25:02]: "We got long ways in a short period of time."

• Cody D'Arclund [26:19]: "I think that a little bit of plan is a good thing..."

• Claire Vo [26:19]: "You take two steps forward, one step back. You add multiplayer, but you break the window."

• Cody D'Arclund [30:23]: "There are enough things going wrong in the world that like being excited for this new world we're in where anyone can come in and build and build cool things is just really inspirational."

Final Notes

Cody D'Arclund's live vibe coding session exemplifies the transformative potential of AI in software development. By embracing iterative processes and maintaining clear communication with AI tools, developers can accelerate project timelines and unlock creative possibilities previously unattainable. This episode of How I AI serves as a testament to the evolving landscape of AI-assisted development and its capacity to democratize the creation of complex applications.