One of the biggest barriers in indie development is learning to code. It takes time, patience, and dedication. But with AI tools like GitHub Copilot, beginners only need a basic understanding to start. Copilot can suggest code, walk you through logic, clean up messy scripts, and even generate functional code from prompts. 

3D modeling, traditionally a time-consuming craft, is now more accessible with AI-driven tools that generate or assist in creating original models. Tools like Midjourney and Sora make concept art and rough visuals easier and faster to produce, helping artists test ideas quickly. 

Once you’ve got visuals and code, how do you put it all together? While coding from scratch is an option (like in Celeste or Stardew Valley), most solo developers use engines like Godot, Unity, or Unreal to avoid reinventing the wheel. 

Even game engines can be overwhelming at first—but AI can help here too. ChatGPT, for instance, can guide you through engine workflows and answer technical questions as you go. 

Unity’s upcoming feature, Muse, is an all-in-one AI assistant that helps with generating textures, animations, behaviors, and sprites. It even includes a built-in chat assistant for real-time guidance and idea generation. 

Google’s AI Studio includes “Stream Real-Time,” letting you share your screen and receive live help from an AI assistant. It’s especially helpful when learning tools like Blender or Unity—no more digging through documentation or YouTube tutorials. 

On the experimental side, Google created GameNGen, a neural model that can recreate gameplay by predicting the next frame, effectively “playing” Doom. Microsoft took it further with its own Muse AI, trained on seven years of footage from a game, capable of generating about two minutes of accurate gameplay.  

These tools are still in their early stages, but they hint at a future where rapid prototyping—and perhaps full games—could be generated by AI. Major studios are already adopting them, and it's only a matter of time before an indie developer uses them to create something truly AAA-worthy.