Devlog: Vibe Coding Our Way to Space Odyssey

Hey folks,

Today I tried "vibe coding" where we just let the code flow and see what happens. I used ChatGPT4 as well as cursor to let it all flow without me having to touch the code directly (with some minor exeptions). For more info on vibe coding see here: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/03/is-vibe-coding-with-ai-gnarly-or-reckless-may...We set out to create a PS1-style space exploration game, **Space Odyssey: Galactic Explorer**. 

See the game in action here: https://drbaumberg.itch.io/space-explorer-vibe-coding

Scene Setup

We kicked things off by setting up a basic Three.js scene. Nothing too fancy—just a camera, a renderer, and a blank canvas ready for our cosmic masterpiece.

Spaceship Construction

Next, we cobbled together a spaceship using some cubes. It's got that classic low-poly look, perfect for anyone nostalgic for the PS1 era. It's not winning any design awards, but it gets the job done.

Starry Background

To make things interesting, we threw in a bunch of stars. They're randomly placed and twinkle with random colors. It's like a cosmic disco ball out there.

Controls: Because Why Not?

We added some basic controls. Arrow keys move the spaceship in the direction it's facing, and the mouse lets you spin it around. Thanks to the Pointer Lock API, you can keep spinning even when the cursor hits the edge of the screen. Revolutionary, right?

Parcel: The Necessary Evil

We bundled everything with Parcel, because who wants to deal with a million files? Now it's all neatly packed and ready for itch.io. Uploading should be a breeze—fingers crossed.

The Vibe

Today's session was all about going with the flow. We didn't overthink it, and somehow, it all came together. It's a reminder that sometimes, you just have to let the code do its thing.

What's Next?

We're gearing up to unleash this masterpiece on itch.io. Stay tuned for more updates, or don't. Either way, the game will be out there, waiting for you to explore the stars.

Catch you later, space cowboys.