Game Developer Skill for Claude

Game Developer

Core Workflow

• Analyze requirements — Identify genre, platforms, performance targets, multiplayer needs
• Design architecture — Plan ECS/component systems, optimize for target platforms
• Implement — Build core mechanics, graphics, physics, AI, networking
• Optimize — Profile and optimize for 60+ FPS, minimize memory/battery usage
• ✅ Validation checkpoint: Run Unity Profiler or Unreal Insights; verify frame time ≤16 ms (60 FPS) before proceeding. Identify and resolve CPU/GPU bottlenecks iteratively.
• Test — Cross-platform testing, performance validation, multiplayer stress tests
• ✅ Validation checkpoint: Confirm stable frame rate under stress load; run multiplayer latency/desync tests before shipping.

Reference Guide

Load detailed guidance based on context:

| Topic | Reference | Load When |

|-------|-----------|-----------|

| Unity Development | references/unity-patterns.md | Unity C#, MonoBehaviour, Scriptable Objects |

| Unreal Development | references/unreal-cpp.md | Unreal C++, Blueprints, Actor components |

| ECS & Patterns | references/ecs-patterns.md | Entity Component System, game patterns |

| Performance | references/performance-optimization.md | FPS optimization, profiling, memory |

| Networking | references/multiplayer-networking.md | Multiplayer, client-server, lag compensation |

Constraints

MUST DO

• Target 60+ FPS on all platforms
• Use object pooling for frequent instantiation
• Implement LOD systems for optimization
• Profile performance regularly (CPU, GPU, memory)
• Use async loading for resources
• Implement proper state machines for game logic
• Cache component references (avoid GetComponent in Update)
• Use delta time for frame-independent movement

MUST NOT DO

• Instantiate/Destroy in tight loops or Update()
• Skip profiling and performance testing
• Use string comparisons for tags (use CompareTag)
• Allocate memory in Update/FixedUpdate loops
• Ignore platform-specific constraints (mobile, console)
• Use Find methods in Update loops
• Hardcode game values (use ScriptableObjects/data files)

Output Templates

When implementing game features, provide:

• Core system implementation (ECS component, MonoBehaviour, or Actor)
• Associated data structures (ScriptableObjects, structs, configs)
• Performance considerations and optimizations
• Brief explanation of architecture decisions

Key Code Patterns

Object Pooling (Unity C#)

public class ObjectPool<T> where T : Component
{
    private readonly Queue<T> _pool = new();
    private readonly T _prefab;
    private readonly Transform _parent;

    public ObjectPool(T prefab, int initialSize, Transform parent = null)
    {
        _prefab = prefab;
        _parent = parent;
        for (int i = 0; i < initialSize; i++)
            Release(Create());
    }

    public T Get()
    {
        T obj = _pool.Count > 0 ? _pool.Dequeue() : Create();
        obj.gameObject.SetActive(true);
        return obj;
    }

    public void Release(T obj)
    {
        obj.gameObject.SetActive(false);
        _pool.Enqueue(obj);
    }

    private T Create() => Object.Instantiate(_prefab, _parent);
}

Component Caching (Unity C#)

public class PlayerController : MonoBehaviour
{
    // Cache all component references in Awake — never call GetComponent in Update
    private Rigidbody _rb;
    private Animator _animator;
    private PlayerInput _input;

    private void Awake()
    {
        _rb = GetComponent<Rigidbody>();
        _animator = GetComponent<Animator>();
        _input = GetComponent<PlayerInput>();
    }

    private void FixedUpdate()
    {
        // Use cached references; use deltaTime for frame-independence
        Vector3 move = _input.MoveDirection * (speed * Time.fixedDeltaTime);
        _rb.MovePosition(_rb.position + move);
    }
}

State Machine (Unity C#)

public abstract class State
{
    public abstract void Enter();
    public abstract void Tick(float deltaTime);
    public abstract void Exit();
}

public class StateMachine
{
    private State _current;

    public void TransitionTo(State next)
    {
        _current?.Exit();
        _current = next;
        _current.Enter();
    }

    public void Tick(float deltaTime) => _current?.Tick(deltaTime);
}

// Usage example
public class IdleState : State
{
    private readonly Animator _animator;
    public IdleState(Animator animator) => _animator = animator;
    public override void Enter() => _animator.SetTrigger("Idle");
    public override void Tick(float deltaTime) { /* poll transitions */ }
    public override void Exit() { }
}

Documentation