A solo maker used Claude tools to build a 90s-style strategy game
A solo game project used Claude-related tools, Fable and Opus, to build IronClaim, a web-based tactical strategy game. The goal was to capture the appeal of the 1996 game M.A.X. without reusing its setting, names, art, or story.
Fable produced a working prototype in a few hours, and it was playable before Fable was turned off. Opus was then used for s and new features, including the first two acts of a campaign, though those acts have not been fully played through yet. The game was built for with Next.js and React, while allowing tools such as canvas, Phaser, or Pixi for the actual game .
The requested design included online play where a host creates a room and others join, a hex-grid map, a resource economy, custom mech units with upgrades, and battles over a contested mining world. A playable version is available at iron-claim.com.
Key points
- Fable created a playable IronClaim prototype within a few hours.
- Opus was later used for s and new features, including early campaign content.
- The game is inspired by M.A.X. but uses original names, setting, art, and lore.
- The included online rooms, a hex-grid map, resources, mech design, upgrades, and tactical combat.
- The example is most useful as a case study in fast .