Roadmap: Game Developer to Full Stack Game Developer

Switch from a focused game developer to a full stack game developer. Build one web-based game with full features—frontend, backend, and deployment.

Weekly Hours: 12
Estimated Weeks: 14

Phases

Core Web Skills

Learn the basics needed for both front-end and back-end game projects. Focus on HTML, CSS, and simple JavaScript. Get comfortable building and styling simple web pages.

3 weeks

Understand how web pages work
Write and style web pages
Use browser tools to debug pages
Read and write simple JavaScript
Start basic web project structure

Create static pages (HTML/CSS)
Add interaction (JavaScript events)
Debug in browser tools (Chrome DevTools)

Free HTML/CSS/JS Tutorials
Beginner Web Projects
Web Playground Tools

Web page with basic game info (runs in browser)
Small interactive demo (JavaScript button toggles text)

Front-End Game Development

Apply front-end web skills to create an interactive game UI. Learn how tools like React help organize code and build dynamic interfaces.

3 weeks

Build game UI in React
Connect state to user actions
Use forms for player input
Show and update scores
Organize front-end code

Component-based UI (React)
Game state handling (React useState)
Form controls (React forms)
Style interfaces (CSS modules)

React Beginner Guides
Sample Game Projects
CSS Tips

Playable front-end game demo (React, browser tested)
Form for name input and restart (React controlled form)

Back-End and Full Stack Foundations

Learn to create a server with Node.js or Python. Store and load player data. Connect your game to the server and test game progress saving.

4 weeks

Write a simple server (Node.js or Python Flask)
Create APIs for scores and players
Save/load player progress
Send/receive requests from the front-end
Test server responses

Build REST API (Express or Flask)
Connect front-end to server (fetch/axios)
Test APIs (Postman or Jest)
Basic data storage (file or simple database)

Node.js/Express or Flask Tutorials
API Testing Tools
Data Basics
Full Stack Example Projects

Game connects to server (fetch scores, save progress)
API tested with sample data (Postman collection or Jest tests)
Player scores stored and loaded (simple file or in-memory database)

Quality, Testing, and Deployment

Make the game reliable. Add automated tests and continuous integration (CI). Deploy the game online for others to try.

2 weeks

Write tests for main features
Set up CI tools to run tests automatically
Fix bugs and polish the game
Put the game online
Write easy instructions (README)

Automated UI tests (React Testing Library)
API tests (Jest or Pytest)
Set up CI (GitHub Actions badge)
Deploy web apps (Netlify or Heroku)

Testing Guides
CI/CD Tutorials
Deployment Services

90% test coverage (test report, CI badge in README)
Game works online (public URL, tested on different devices)
Project has clear instructions (README with setup and demo)

Showcase and Feedback

Share the finished game project. Collect feedback for improvement. Prepare for interviews by showcasing your full stack skills and explaining the project.

2 weeks

Present the deployed game publicly
Explain tech choices and problems solved
Gather feedback from users
Practice interview project walkthrough

Demo project (public URL)
Receive and react to feedback
Explain game flow and code decisions

Project Review Checklists
Feedback Forms
Interview Prep Guides

Project shared for review (portfolio or GitHub link sent)
Feedback documented (list of user suggestions)
Project walkthrough ready (short demo script or video)

Weekly Plan

Week	Focus	Why	Tasks	Deliverables
1	HTML and CSS basics	Foundation for web-based game interfaces.	Build a simple page (HTML), Style page elements (CSS selectors), Test layout in browser	Static game info page
2	JavaScript intro and interactivity	Enable interactive actions in browser games.	Add button handlers (JavaScript events), Show/hide elements (DOM manipulation), Debug with browser tools	Mini interactive demo (JS toggles content)
3	Project structure and planning	Organize files for full stack projects.	Create folders for front-end and back-end, Write basic README for project goal, List core game features	Organized project folder with README
4	React setup and components	Modern way to build web game UIs.	Create app (React Create React App or Vite), Build game screen (React components), Style with modular CSS	First version of React game UI
5	Game state and user input	Manage player moves and scores.	Add React useState for game logic, Build input form for player name, Display scores dynamically	Game UI updates based on user actions
6	Testing and debugging front-end	Check that main features work before backend.	Write UI tests (React Testing Library), Find and fix UI bugs, Prepare test data examples	UI test results
7	Set up backend server	Enable saving and retrieving game data.	Create server (Express or Flask), Write API to save scores, Run server and test locally	API saves and returns scores
8	Connect front-end to backend	Make full stack game features work.	Send game data (fetch or axios), Display high scores from server, Test end-to-end flow	Front-end talks to server and shows results
9	API testing and simple database	Store real player data and check reliability.	Test APIs (Postman/Jest/Pytest), Store scores in file or SQLite, Handle errors gracefully	Database keeps user scores between sessions
10	Improve game features and UX	Polish gameplay and fix pain points.	Add new rule or level, Make game easier to use, Get feedback from friends	Improved game version
11	Automated testing and CI	Prevent future bugs and show quality.	Add test scripts (unit/UI/API coverage), Set up CI (GitHub Actions), Check test badge in project README	CI passes all tests, badge shows in README
12	Deploy project online	Let others try your work easily.	Deploy front-end (Netlify or Vercel), Deploy backend (Render or Heroku), Check cross-device access	Live game demo link
13	Project documentation and instructions	Make project easy to use and review.	Write project summary and setup steps, Add screenshots or demo GIF, List known bugs and fixes	Clear and helpful README
14	Showcase and collect feedback	Prove your skills and find improvement areas.	Share link with peers or forums, Collect user suggestions (Google Form), Prepare to explain project in interviews	Public project link and demo script