Write the prompt around a playable rule
The prompt uses a shadow as a forecast and makes the player movement direct. Stars encourage movement without forcing a dangerous path. Keep hazards visually distinct and show the arena boundary. A first round can use slow blocks and wide warning shadows, then later patterns can reduce safe space while preserving one possible route.
Original concept prompt: “Create a single-screen dodge game where a glowing dot moves with the pointer inside a small arena. Falling blocks cast a shadow before landing; avoid them for thirty seconds and collect three stars that appear in safe gaps. Keep at least one open route across the arena at all times.” 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
Try staying still, moving toward a star and crossing the arena while watching hazard shadows. Check whether the falling block lands where the warning appeared and whether the dot follows input precisely. If a collision occurs before the player can react, increase warning time or reduce block speed. If stars spawn in blocked spots, adjust their placement rule.
Tune hazard rate, movement speed or star frequency one at a time. Do not increase all pressure at once. Add a new hazard shape only after the shadow cue works reliably. Replay a short section to see whether the same warning gives the player time to choose a safe route.
Avoid hazards that blend into the background or appear directly on the player without warning. Fair difficulty comes from reading and choosing, not from unavoidable hits. Keep the score visible but secondary to the immediate safe-space cues.
Playable reference for this prompt: Helix. Drag sideways to spin a helix tower so the bouncing ball drops through gaps while dodging red segments. Use this example to compare the proposed rules with a game you can try now.
Questions about dodging game prompt
How can falling blocks feel avoidable?
Show their landing shadows with enough lead time and leave an open route. Test overlapping warnings, not only single obstacles in isolation.
What if the pointer leaves the arena?
Specify whether movement stops or remains clamped at the boundary. Check that re-entering does not teleport the player through a hazard unexpectedly.