Write the prompt around a playable rule
Write the prompt in layers: player and action first, objective second, pressure third, feedback last. The example defines a familiar tap gesture, a measurable completion state and a move limit. Add only features that help players understand or choose; a hint can support learning, while an elaborate upgrade shop would distract from testing the sorting rule.
Original concept prompt: “Create a compact sorting puzzle. Tap one tube, then another to pour the top connected colour group. The goal is one colour per tube before the move counter reaches zero. Show legal moves clearly, include one undo, and make the first level solvable without a hint.” This is a recipe for an idea, not a claim that this exact game is already playable.
Play, observe and refine one thing at a time
Play the opening level without explaining it aloud. If you hesitate, inspect the prompt for a missing rule or unclear feedback. Try a level with a tempting wrong move and see whether the move counter, colours and completion state remain legible. Then ask for one revision, such as clearer legal-move highlighting, and compare the result against the same test.
Keep a record of what happened in a run: which tube you selected, what you expected, and what the game showed. That turns revision into a focused request instead of a pile of adjectives. Generation takes time, and each result should be played before you assume the instructions worked. Creation and remix require Creator, with current plan details at pricing.
When a prompt grows long, remove decoration before removing rules. Preserve the action, goal, failure condition and feedback. If the game adds complexity, ask for a smaller first level and one new rule at a time; you will be able to tell which addition changed the experience.
Playable reference for this prompt: Pour. Tap a tube then another to pour its top liquid layers across, sorting every colour into its own tube before the level's move budget runs out. Use this example to compare the proposed rules with a game you can try now.
Questions about AI game prompts
Which details belong at the start of a game prompt?
Lead with what the player does and the consequence of that action. Add the goal, failure condition and feedback before describing decoration.
How do I ask for a useful revision?
Describe an observed problem and a specific change. For example, ask the sorting puzzle to highlight legal destinations when a tube is selected.