How I Created a SkiFree Clone Using Amazon Q

If you grew up playing Windows games in the '90s, you probably remember SkiFree, the addictive skiing game where you dodged obstacles and tried to escape the infamous Yeti. I decided to recreate this classic using Amazon Q, Amazon's AI assistant, and was amazed by how quickly I could build a functional clone.

In this blog post, I'll walk through my process, the prompts I used, and how I refined the game with additional features like boosts and power-ups.

Step 1: Defining the Core Features

I started by giving Amazon Q a clear prompt outlining the game's mechanics and technical requirements:

Amazon Q generated a Python script using Pygame, which handled the core mechanics beautifully. The initial version included:

• A skier controlled with arrow keys

• Random obstacle generation (trees and rocks)

• Collision detection

• A score counter

• The Yeti appearing after 2000m

Step 2: Improving the Game with Custom Assets

The first version used simple colored rectangles, but I wanted a more polished look. I updated the prompt to include asset loading:

I provided:

• A skier sprite

• Tree and snow men obstacles

• A terrifying Yeti image

• A snowy background

Amazon Q modified the code to load these assets, making the game visually appealing.

Step 3: Adding Boosts and Power-Ups

To make the game more dynamic, I expanded the prompt to include:

Amazon Q enhanced the game with:

• Speed boosts (temporary increase in skiing speed)

• Invincibility power-ups (temporary obstacle immunity)

• Score multipliers (doubling points for a limited time)

These additions made gameplay more strategic players had to decide whether to risk taking a power-up near obstacles or play it safe.

Final Result

Here’s a quick demo of the final version:

Lessons Learned

1. Clear prompts matter – The more specific I was, the better Amazon Q understood my vision.

2. Iterative improvements work – Starting with a basic version and adding features step-by-step was effective.

3. AI accelerates development – What would have taken hours of coding was done in minutes.

Try It Yourself!

Want to play my SkiFree clone or build your own? Check out the code on GitHub and experiment with Amazon Q for game development!

Want to participate in the challenge and win a tshirt. find it here: Build Games Challenge

Tags: #BuildGamesChallenge #AmazonQDevCLI

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