Alex Finn shows us how to create interactive games using AI tools as a marketing strategy for growing audiences. He demonstrates building a space shooter game with Grok 3 for planning, Claude 3.7 and Cursor for implementation, and Supabase for data collection, then deploying it via GitHub Pages. Alex emphasizes that this approach works better than traditional content strategies for capturing emails and driving engagement on social platforms like X.
Timestamps:
• 00:00 – Intro
• 03:09 – Example of a Successful Game
• 04:29 – Overview of tools used to build game
• 05:15 – Building Micro Apps for Growth Hacking
• 07:52 – Using Grok for initial development
• 14:02 – Initial Test of Game
• 15:55 – Setting Up the Game in Cursor
• 20:51 – Using Cursor and Claude 3.7 Sonnet for Enhancing and Debugging Gaming
• 42:25 – Implementing Supabase database for leaderboards and email collection
• 01:03:20 – Deploying the game to GitHub Pages
Key Points:
• Alex Finn demonstrates building a space shooter game using AI tools (Groq, Claude Sonnet 3.7, and Cursor) with minimal coding knowledge
• The process includes creating game mechanics, visual elements, and implementing a database (Supabase) to collect user emails
• The strategy focuses on using AI-created games as viral marketing tools to grow newsletters and product audiences
• GitHub Pages is used to quickly deploy the finished game to the internet
1) AI GAMES: The ULTIMATE Lead Gen Strategy
Traditional newsletter growth (threads + "sign up" CTAs) is DEAD.
Alex built a Call of Duty clone with AI that:
• Required zero gaming experience
• Drove 500 newsletter signups
• Got multiple Elon retweets
• Took minutes to create
The secret? AI content people CAN’T resist clicking.
2) How to Build Viral AI Games (Even as a Non-Developer)
Alex showed how to use Groq + Claude Sonnet 3.7 to build a space shooter game in minutes.
The workflow:
• Use Grok’s DeepSearch for research & planning
• Use Grok’s Think or Claude to execute the code
• Test in P5.js (a beginner-friendly game framework)
No coding skills required!
3) The SHOCKING Power of Claude Sonnet 3.7
When Alex asked Claude to make the game more viral-worthy, it STUNNED him by:
• Adding 3 enemy types
• Creating power-ups
• Adding score systems
• Building particle effects
• Adding beautiful animations
• Making boss levels
All with ONE PROMPT. Alex: "This is AGI achieved!"
4) Turn Your Game Into a Lead Gen MACHINE
When players die, prompt them for their email to join the leaderboard.
Integration steps:
• Set up Superbase (free database)
• Create a leaderboard table
• Connect game to database
• Host on GitHub Pages
Result: Fun game → Email collection → Newsletter growth
5) ADVANCED Virality Tips
The best games leverage CURRENT memes and trends:
• Alex’s Mitch McConnell game (avoiding stairs) went viral
• Upload viral images to AI and say "turn this into a game"
• Consider political angles (if fitting your brand)
Add competition: "Highest score in 48hrs gets $50" drives engagement.
6) X-Platform Strategy for Maximum Reach
Don’t just post a link! Instead:
• Create a video of gameplay ("This is WILD")
• Post the link as a reply (algorithm boost)
• Ask people to screenshot scores in replies
• Add a competitive element
Result: More impressions, more engagement, more emails.
The window for this strategy won’t stay open forever. The early adopters are seeing MASSIVE returns!
Notable Quotes:
"I figured out a way to kind of insert [games] into my marketing funnel for my products and newsletters and drive attention." – Alex Finn
"We’re in this incredible moment in time where we have this brand new technology that does these incredibly powerful things… Most people aren’t using it to do these things." – Alex Finn
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