Step 1: Their personality is the mechanic
The difference between a generic dog game and a game about your dog is the specifics. Don't write "a game about my dog" — write what makes them them:
- The corgi who barks at delivery trucks → a tower-defense game where barking repels an endless parade of delivery vans.
- The cat who knocks things off shelves at 3am → a stealth-chaos game: shove maximum objects before the human wakes up.
- The goldendoodle who's scared of the Roomba → survival horror, but cute: the Roomba patrols and you hide behind furniture.
- The parrot who mimics the microwave → a rhythm game about copying household sounds for crackers.
Step 2: Use their photo as art reference
On Arcade Sandbox, click the 📎 and attach up to three photos of your pet before you build. The AI uses them as art direction — coloring, markings, ears, general vibe — and draws a game-art version of your pet to match. To be clear: your photo isn't pasted into the game; the AI redraws your pet in game style, which honestly looks better in-game anyway. Reference photos aren't stored after the build.
Good reference photos: clear view of the whole animal, decent light, their most characteristic pose. The one where they're mid-zoomies? Perfect.
Step 3: Copy-paste starters
- "A game starring my dog Biscuit, an orange corgi with one floppy ear (photo attached). She sprints around the backyard catching thrown tennis balls before they bounce twice, while dodging the sprinkler. A zoomies meter fills up for a speed burst. Silly, joyful, lots of barking."
- "A game about my cat Mochi, a grey void with yellow eyes (photo attached). Nighttime stealth: knock cups, keys, and a phone off counters to score, but freeze when the bedroom light turns on. Getting caught three times ends the night with 'Mochi has been placed in the hallway.'"
- "A cozy game about my elderly beagle Waffles: guide him on his slow morning sniff-walk, collecting Good Smells (points) and greeting neighbors, with a nap meter that must never hit zero. Gentle, warm, no way to lose."
▶ FIRST GAME'S FREE
New accounts start with ⚡ 5 free tokens — a 2D build costs 4. Your pet's game is three quirks and a photo away.
Make my pet's game →Attach up to 3 photos as art reference · everyone plays your link free.
Step 4: Share it with the people who love them
Your game gets its own link the moment it builds. Text it to the family group chat, drop it in your bio, or QR-code it for the pet's birthday party (we don't judge). Anyone with the link plays free in their browser — no app, no account. If your pet deserves a wider audience, publishing to the public arcade is free too.
A pet game is also a beautiful memorial. If you've lost a pet, a small cozy game about their best quirks — shared with everyone who knew them — is a genuinely lovely way to remember them. Make it gentle, with no way to lose.
FAQ
Will the game actually look like my pet?
It will look like a game-art version of your pet — the AI matches colors, markings, and shape from your photos, in canvas-drawn arcade style. Distinctive features (one floppy ear, a white sock paw) translate best when you also mention them in the prompt.
What happens to the photos I upload?
They're used as reference for that build only and aren't stored with the game. See the privacy policy.
How much does it cost?
Your first 2D game is effectively free (5 welcome tokens; a build costs 4). After that, about $4 per game, plus 3 tokens per revision if the zoomies need tuning.
Can I make one for a friend's pet as a gift?
Yes, and it's a devastatingly good gift — here's the full gift-game recipe. The same idea works on humans too: make a game about your friend.