Build a Swarm Survivor Game
Survive the goofy swarm! Auto-blasting waves of silly cartoon creatures while you pick powerful upgrades.
About this course
This is an advanced course, but every idea is explained simply before you build it. By the end you'll have a wild, replayable survive-the-timer game with escalating waves and dozens of upgrade combos.
10 lessons
The Joy of the Snowball
Understand why these games feel so good — you start tiny and become unstoppable. You'll plan your goofy creatures and your hero's first weapon.
Your Hero and the Arena
Set up the playfield and a character you move freely in any direction. In this game you never attack on purpose — you just dodge and reposition.
Auto-Attacks
Give your hero a weapon that fires all by itself on a timer, aiming at the nearest creature. You'll learn timers and 'find the closest target' logic.
Spawning the Swarm
Make silly cartoon creatures appear at the edges and waddle toward the player. You'll spawn lots of them efficiently so the screen fills up with goofiness.
Poof! Hits and Friendly Health
When your attack touches a creature, it bursts into harmless stars. Your hero has a heart meter that dips when creatures bump you — pure cartoon, no gore.
XP Gems and Leveling Up
Defeated creatures drop glowing gems. Collect enough and you level up, which pauses the game for the best part — choosing a new power.
Pick-a-Power Upgrades
Build the level-up menu offering three random upgrades — faster fire, extra projectiles, a spinning shield. Choosing your build is the heart of the fun.
Escalating Chaos
Crank up the waves over time — more creatures, new types, the occasional big goofy boss. You'll balance it so it gets thrilling, not impossible.
Survive the Timer
Add a clock counting up (or down) so the goal is simply to last. Reaching the end triggers a triumphant 'You Survived!' celebration.
Polish, Save, and Share
Add screen-shake on big hits, satisfying sounds, a high-score for longest survival, and a restart button. Then share your chaotic creation.