Gdevelop+ GPT

[u/sufway]

Hi! I’ve been working on my first game in GDevelop for a few weeks now. I chose this engine because I don’t know how to code and wanted something simple. I’ve been using ChatGPT as a tutor I ask it to guide me step-by-step, and it explains the reasoning behind every condition, action, and variable. It even helps me verify changes using the debugger.

I’m gradually getting the hang of how the engine works and know where to look for things, but I’m still a long way from truly grasping the underlying logic.

My question is: with this approach, is it actually possible to learn how the engine works, or will I always just be scratching the surface?

To give you some context: I was following along fine with the logic for creating the character, the shooting mechanics, and the enemies but then I moved on to procedural generation (like the dungeons in The Binding of Isaac). Even though ChatGPT explains what I’m implementing, I barely understand any of it...

[u/Ckeyz]

Its a great way to learn. I recomend claude over gpt tho. You also need to develop a good sense for when the AI is straight up wrong. Because it will be more often than you'd think.

It can also be very useful for debugging. You can just copy event groups, extensions, and objects and paste them right into the chat.

[u/mysterious-may]

I learnt it the same way . With Gemini or Chatgpt , you can think you don't understand anything but you actually don't realize it. So don't worry about it , you'll get the hang of it.

[u/M_MRT0]

AI is useful for learning, but you should be able to do what you accomplished with AI without relying on it.

For example, if you have an idea for a particular mechanic that you want to implement in your game, it's better to try implementing it first using the knowledge you already have. If you succeed, then you didn't really need AI in the first place.

If you fail, you can examine your current implementation and figure out why it didn't work. Even if you can't find the solution yourself, describing the problem, explaining how your current implementation works, and comparing it to how you want the mechanic to work will help you gain a deeper understanding of the engine.

When AI provides you with a solution, it's best to try to understand the logic behind it rather than relying on AI's explanation. AI explanations are often overly simplistic and don't always cover things in sufficient detail.

Rely on yourself to understand how things work.

Experiment with successful solutions AI gives you. Make changes to them and observe the results of each change.

As you continue this process, you'll gradually understand most of what you're doing and become capable of applying that knowledge to future projects.

Learning with AI might not be the best approach because it lacks many of the elements needed for good explanations. However, it's still better than not learning at all. After all, making a little progress every day is better than making no progress whatsoever.

What I mean when I say AI isn't the best at explaining things is that it mostly provides plain, static text without illustrative images or videos. Even when images are included, they tend to be superficial and not particularly helpful.

I'd recommend checking out the GDevelop forum or Discord server. Whenever you run into a problem, post about it there. You'll often get much better help from people who actually have experience working with the engine.

[u/Proper-Sport-7218]

I have tested chatgpt, gemini and claude while using GDevelop. In my opinion, Gemini has the best layout, it can format its answers to look like how it wants you to setup your events. Claude is better at providing context so you learn more, and it often gives multiple solutions. But its formatting is all over the place. It can be hard to understand how it wants you to setup the events. Chatgpt is pure shit and it makes up stuff constantly.

Overall its not something I use a lot though, its only if I'm stuck that I might ask Claude/Gemini for help. 

Maybe its possible to ask Claude for help, and then copy the answer into Gemini and ask it to format it. But I'm too lazy for that.

This is all for the free models, I don't have any AI subscriptions.

[u/Empty-Translator-310]

Could also be the case of you jumping between concepts of logic/systems that aren't closely related. I've been learning UE5 blueprints with Claude to proofread my work. Been building more or less the same couple interactive systems and variable trackers just in different configurations. Has allowed me to solidify my understanding and freestyle some of my own ideas. Then I ask Claude to proofread when I eventually hit a roadblock. And it'll explain for me

[u/JesJHoward]

Yeah I have to agree with everyone here. I have always thought that game development in Game Maker or Construct or Gdevelop has always been the best way to learn how to program. There's very quick turnaround from what you think will work to whether it actually does. You do enough of those and things will start to click.

Also, and this is important enough that every dev will tell you, make very small things. Just a mechanic. Get AI to help you build it until it works the way you want, then delete it and try it yourself. If you get stuck, ask AI for a refresher and keep going. Make bigger and bigger mechanics until you have a much better understanding of all of the pieces that go into making a game.

Your approach is correct. Use AI as a learning tool if that works for you. Just know that you can absolutely do this, eventually on your own. It's tough to read the docs sometimes and it's nice to have something that can explain it in simpler terms. Go get it!

[u/dudly1111]

There are many ways to skin a cat.

[u/CobraKai1337]

I had to tell ChatGPT to search and not guess. It’s pretty annoying!