One Developer Uses AI to Build Denver Video Games in Days, Not Months

Software engineer Casey Cantor built two free video games centered on Denver landmarks, a process he completed in days rather than the months typically required. Cantor, who moved to Denver in May 2025, started with 'Cheesman Park the Game' after deciding to digitize his favorite local spot. He later expanded his portfolio with 'Denver Dash,' a racing title that maps the city’s streets and transit hubs.

The first project, 'Cheesman Park the Game,' launched in June and quickly gained local attention. The browser-based game features a pixelated avatar walking the park loop, tossing a frisbee, and interacting with day and night cycles. Players collect coins to buy upgrades at a ranger cart, including a dog leash for combat or a hot dog stand for the park. The title peaked in popularity during June and July, when approximately 4,500 people visited the site to play.

Cantor credits AI tools, specifically Claude Code, for enabling a single person to build these projects. He states that a game like 'Denver Dash' would historically require a team of five to 10 people and several weeks of work. By using AI to generate visuals and back-end code, Cantor acted as a project manager who also handled the coding. He developed 'Cheesman Park the Game' in about a week, while 'Denver Dash' took slightly longer due to its 3D graphics and multiple maps.

'Denver Dash' offers a different experience by focusing on speed and competition. The game allows players to choose from 16 avatars, some based on local references like Blucifer, and race across three distinct maps: Washington Park, Union Station, and Colfax Avenue. The gameplay involves dodging cars, pedestrians, and flocks of geese. Cantor describes the concept as 'basically Mario Kart but in Denver,' noting that the game supports racing against a friend.

Cantor approached the development process by walking the physical locations to take dimensional notes and screenshots from Google Maps. He then used AI agents to tweak and finalize the project layout. He handled both front-end and back-end work, including setting up hosting servers. Cantor says he values individual art and uses AI out of necessity to 'bolster creativity rather than replace it.'

The games have reached an audience of over 30,000 views on Instagram and TikTok. Coverage from the Denver Post and KOA Colorado helped spread the word, but Cantor says word of mouth was the primary driver of the initial launch. Friends now introduce him as the person who made the games. Cantor is currently working on a spooky-themed update for 'Cheesman Park the Game' to coincide with Halloween, a season when Denver Parks and Rec highlighted the title in its newsletter.

Future projects may include games set at Red Rocks, Lo-Do, Five Points, and Denver International Airport. Cantor also added a small memorial to the Cheesman Park game, including a corgi named Sprout who passed away. The dog appears in the middle of the map where real-life dog meetups occur, serving as a tribute to a friend's pet.