30 Days of (practical) AI: Day 10 – Building a Brick Breaker Game – Part 2 – Posting to GitHub

Part 2: From WordPress to GitHub Pages – A Strategic Pivot

Link to GitHub: https://github.com/thebostonlooper/BrickBreaker

Link to Game: https://thebostonlooper.github.io/BrickBreaker/

Introduction

As we started to work on the second half of our BrickBreaker project and try to add it directly on the blog, a problem emerged. Initially, the plan was to deploy the game on this WordPress you are on right now, providing an easy integration into an existing online presence. But, this was before a quick look into the costs associated with WordPress Premium hosting. Adding the project directly to this blog would run me upwards of $300 for a Premium account – the world just runs on ARR in 2023 huh…

Instead of hosting the game on WordPress, I decided to utilize GitHub Pages, a free and versatile platform that aligns perfectly with the nature of this project.

Transition to GitHub Pages

The GitHub Advantage

GitHub Pages offers a free hosting solution, making it an attractive alternative to WordPress Premium. Additionally, GitHub provides a collaborative environment, making the game’s code accessible, modifiable, and open to contributions from other developers. Ideally I’ll continue to add other basic applications to GitHub while my prompt engineering skills improve.

Step-by-Step Guide to Hosting on GitHub Pages (per GPT-4)

1. Prepare the Game Files: Organize all the HTML, JavaScript, and CSS files into a single folder.
2. Create a GitHub Account: If not already a member, sign up for a free GitHub account.
3. Create a New Repository: Set up a public repository named after the game, such as “BrickBreaker.”
4. Upload the Game Files: Add all the game files to the repository either through the GitHub website or using Git commands.
5. Enable GitHub Pages: In the repository settings, navigate to the GitHub Pages section and select the appropriate branch for hosting.
6. Share the Game Link: The game becomes accessible through a generated link, ready to be shared with friends, readers, and game enthusiasts.

Conclusion

The shift from WordPress to GitHub Pages showcases the flexibility that is often essential in project development. By embracing a free hosting solution, the Brick Breaker game was successfully deployed, retaining the original goal of wide accessibility without incurring unnecessary costs.

The collaboration with GPT-4 extended beyond coding the game, providing guidance in navigating hosting options and ultimately leading to a solution that aligns with the project’s values and budget.

This experience underscores the importance of leveraging available resources on the internet. Whether in game development or broader life applications, searching the internet for an alternative solution is a true superpower. We really do have the history of the world at our fingertips.