You can create a learning game 'just for your child' using AI. Zero programming knowledge, free, and all steps revealed in 3 steps [90-Day AI Game Creation Challenge Day 6]
Yesterday, I discovered a very wonderful article.
Miyuhito-san's son is a bit slow with language, and although they tried many different picture books, toys, and workbooks that seemed good, he showed absolutely no interest in them. Even though he could copy things by looking at examples, when asked later, 'So, how do you read this?', he couldn't remember at all.
From that state, by creating his own 'RPG-style Hiragana game' that features manga with audio, he became able to read Hiragana one by one, even though nothing else had worked, and he was even able to proceed on his own with math problems that used to make him cry in frustration because they were 'too difficult'.
Even if off-the-shelf teaching materials fail, a 'custom' game can reach them.
It's incredibly wonderful, isn't it?
'But, can I make one myself?'—Yes, you can. Today, for free.
Miyuhito-san used an AI called Claude to create it. Claude is also a fantastic tool, but honestly, it might be a bit of a high hurdle for my readers.
So this time, I will explain a method where anyone can create a learning game for free, starting today.
The AI we will use is Gemini. You can use it as long as you have a Google account. This time, we will use Gemini to create a game where elementary school students can enjoy learning Kanji.
All you have to do is follow 3 steps.
Step 1: Access Gemini
First, access Gemini. Just log in with your Google account. No installation or setup is required.
Step 2: Have Gemini create the 'requirements definition' for the game
Instead of suddenly asking it to 'make a game', the trick is to first have the AI itself create the blueprint (requirements definition).
This is all I sent ↓
I want to create a game for elementary school students where they can enjoy learning Kanji by treating Kanji as monsters to be defeated. Please create a requirements definition so that an interesting game can be made.
Then, the following response came back from Gemini.
A game where you treat Kanji as monsters to be defeated is a wonderful idea! For elementary school children, converting 'study' into 'play (game)' is extremely effective for maintaining motivation. I have created a requirements definition (the framework of the plan) that balances fun and learning effectiveness so that it becomes a game that children will be absorbed in and parents can let them play with peace of mind.
🎮 Project Overview: 'Kanji Quest ~Mojimon Subjugation Record~' (tentative title)'The more you write, the stronger you get! Save the world with the power of Kanji!' An RPG-style learning game where you defeat and capture 'Mojimon', monsters that have transformed from Kanji, by attacking them with the correct readings and stroke orders, and complete a Kanji dictionary (encyclopedia) while making them your allies.
1. Target Audience and Platform Main Target: 1st to 3rd grade elementary school students (6 to 9 years old) Sub-target: Parents who want to let them learn happily Recommended Platform: Tablet device (iPad, etc.) or smartphone
💡 Reason: Since the action of 'tracing and writing Kanji' directly on the screen with a finger or touch pen is essential, a large touch panel screen is optimal.
⚔️ Basic Game Cycle (Core Loop)
We will run a simple cycle so that children don't get bored and can repeat it. Exploration (Stage Selection): Depart for stages divided by grade level, stroke count, etc. Encounter (Battle): Kanji monsters appear. Attack (Learning): Deal damage by answering the 'reading' of the Kanji or tracing it according to the 'stroke order'. Subjugation/Capture (Reward): When you defeat a monster, it becomes an ally (registered in the encyclopedia), and you get experience points and items! Nurturing/Fusion (Retention): Raise the monsters you've caught or combine them to proceed to the next stage.
🔥 Core Systems to Bring Out the Fun
These are features that create exhilaration and excitement as a game so it doesn't become just a 'workbook'. ① Battle System (Stroke order and accuracy are key!) Tracing Attack: Trace the faint example displayed large on the screen. Judgment System: Damage amount changes depending on 'correctness of stroke order' and 'beauty of the shape'. If you trace perfectly, it becomes a 'Critical Hit (huge damage)!' and flashy effects and sounds play. Reading Defense: During the enemy's attack turn, you can guard (evade) the attack by choosing the correct 'reading' of the enemy's Kanji from 3 options. ② Monster Design and Origins (Visual Fun) Design utilizing the origins of Kanji: Example: 'Fire' is a monster wrapped in flames, 'Tree' is a tree demon, 'Water' is a slime type, etc. Make it so that the origins of Kanji, such as phono-semantic characters and pictographs, can be intuitively understood through the appearance of the characters. ③ Fusion/Evolution System (Understanding radicals and compound words) Radical Fusion: Synthesize caught Kanji to evolve them. Example: 'Tree' + 'Tree' = evolves into 'Forest'! Example: 'Water (sanzui)' + 'Sea' = a new powerful water-attribute monster is born. Through this, you can discover the structure that 'Kanji are made by combining parts' while playing.
📖 Replayability/Collection Elements Mojimon Encyclopedia (Kanji Dictionary)
: Defeated Kanji are registered in the encyclopedia. When you open the encyclopedia, you can check the 'on-yomi, kun-yomi, stroke count, origin, and example sentences'. Filling the encyclopedia itself becomes the fun of collecting. Rank Certification (Level Up): A system where the player's own rank rises from 'Kanji Apprentice' to 'Kanji Master'.
🛡️ UI/UX/Safety Design (Including elements for parents)
Item Detailed Requirements Operability To allow play even when unable to read text, add 'furigana' to all system messages or support full voice (audio reading). Play Restrictions Features for parents to set play time, such as 'up to 3 stages per day' or 'up to 30 minutes of play time' (management screen for guardians). Learning Report A feature for parents to check 'Kanji learned new today' or 'weak (easy to mistake) Kanji' on their smartphone, etc. Difficulty Adjustment An algorithm where weak Kanji are more likely to appear as enemies automatically according to the player's correct answer rate. If you build the framework with requirements like this first, it becomes easier to share with game development companies and programmers.
'Kanji Quest ~Mojimon Subjugation Record~'—attack monsters with stroke order, and combine Kanji to evolve them. From the target audience, core loop, to safety design for guardians, a proposal that would put a game planner to shame comes out in a few dozen seconds.
What is important here is that you only conveyed the idea in a word. The AI will fill in the details of the plan.
Step 3: Paste the requirements definition and ask it to 'make it a game'
Paste the requirements definition from earlier and ask it like this:
Please generate a mobile-friendly game based on these requirements.
Tip: Make sure to select the Canvas feature and Pro. Don't forget this part.
Then, the game creation process will begin.
The completed game is below↓↓↓
— レジェンド(有田匠佑) (@llllegend0620) July 18, 2026
A game was created where kanji characters are treated as monsters, and you can defeat enemies by tracing the correct stroke order.
Up to this point, I haven't written a single line of code. I've essentially only used two prompts.
You can play the game for free from here↓↓↓ (Google account login required)
You can customize it to match your child's 'weaknesses'
This is the true strength of creating your own games.
If they struggle with kanji, make a kanji game.
If they struggle with math, make a calculation battle game.
If your child loves trains, make a multiplication table game featuring trains as the main characters.
Commercially available materials are 'for everyone.' But if you make them with AI, they become one-of-a-kind learning materials just for your child. I believe that is exactly why Miyuhito-san's son became so absorbed in it.
For those who think, 'I want to be able to make them even better'
Today's 3 steps are, so to speak, the gateway to AI game creation.
How to convey prompts to get the game you want
How to incorporate your character drawings
How to share the games you've made with family and friends
For those who want to learn these things systematically, I have compiled everything in my book, 'Super Introduction to Game Creation with Generative AI: How I Changed My Life Through AI x Game Creation with Zero Programming Knowledge'.
As the title suggests, I started from scratch with zero programming knowledge. That is precisely why the structure is designed to fully understand where beginners get stuck.
Furthermore, as a reader bonus, it includes a code for one month free of the DreamCore Light Plan (normally $20, approx. 3,200 yen), a tool that lets you create games using only your smartphone. With the Light Plan, you can mass-produce games.The bonus is worth more than the 2,640 yen price of the book—effectively making the book free.
▼ 'Super Introduction to Game Creation with Generative AI' now on sale from Impress NextPublishing
If you want to start right now, get the e-book version↓↓↓
You can start reading 3 minutes after purchase. A strength of the digital version is being able to read while creating games on the same screen.
If you want to work on it with your child, get the paperback version↓↓↓
The paper book is actually the best because you can keep it open next to you while operating your smartphone as you follow the steps with your eyes and use your hands to create the game on your phone. Plus, sitting at a desk with your child and working together, saying 'It says to do this next,' is something only possible with paper. Once you're done reading, it can go on your child's bookshelf—a memento of a 'summer of AI creation.' It also makes a great gift.
If you try making a game with your child, please let me know your thoughts in the comments. Hearing reports like 'My child reacted like this' is what I enjoy most.
The '#TurnKidsArtIntoGames' project is also still accepting submissions. I will turn all of your children's drawings into games!