Vibe Coding Showdown: Gemini vs ChatGPT. Can AI Really Build eLearning Games?
Can artificial intelligence really build your training games? The hype around AI tools is everywhere. We are told they can write our emails, analyse our data and even design our courses. But can they really create something as complex as an interactive training game? This question matters. For learning and development teams under pressure to produce content quickly, the idea of “vibe coding” — where you simply ask an AI to code for you, is both exciting and daunting. Could this replace weeks of development time? Or is it just smoke and mirrors? In this blog, I share my own experiment where I asked ChatGPT 5 and Google Gemini to build a modular Space Invaders-style quiz game for training. The results were surprising. What is Vibe Coding and Why Does it Matter? Vibe coding is shorthand for coding by conversation. Instead of opening an IDE and writing lines of code, you describe what you want and let an AI tool generate it. The promise is simple: non-programmers can produce complex applications with natural language prompts. For the training industry, this is particularly attractive. Imagine telling an AI: “Build me a branching scenario with quiz questions that can be reused across different subjects.” If it worked, you could design interactive modules faster than ever before. But there are risks. AI models do not actually “understand” the systems they are coding. They generate text that looks like code based on patterns from their training data. This means that while they can often produce impressive demos, the code may break once you step outside the most common scenarios. The Experiment: ChatGPT 5 vs Google Gemini To test how well vibe coding really works, I gave both ChatGPT 5 and Google Gemini the same brief: Build a Space Invaders-style arcade game. Incorporate quiz questions every few plays. Use XML and JavaScript files for the questions so the game can be modular and reused. The aim was not just to create a flashy game but to test whether AI could handle modularity, a principle at the heart of scalable training content. Watch the full experiment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pSCrWRkk5o ChatGPT 5: Familiar but Frustrating ChatGPT knew exactly how to create a Space Invaders clone. Within minutes, it produced a playable version of the classic game. But problems appeared as soon as I asked it to pull in questions from external files. File handling issues: It repeatedly failed to load the XML quiz file and instead generated its own placeholder questions. Error loops: Even after feeding it console errors and asking for fixes, the same issues resurfaced. Focus drift: ChatGPT tended to lock onto the “make a game” request and ignore the “integrate modular questions” part of the prompt. What became clear is that ChatGPT’s training has included a lot of arcade-style examples. It is very comfortable producing games that look right, but less capable when asked to stretch into less standard structures. Google Gemini: More Usable Out of the Box Gemini, on the other hand, managed to do what I wanted on the very first attempt. It loaded the quiz file correctly, integrated it with the game, and displayed real questions in the middle of gameplay. Cleaner structure: The game was more modular and easier to adapt. Responsive to prompts: When I asked for visual changes — more authentic Space Invaders graphics, faster enemy speeds, clearer “game over” states — it delivered them. Fewer repeats: Errors still cropped up but Gemini seemed to handle debugging more gracefully. The end result was not perfect, but it was significantly closer to something that could actually be used in a training context. What We Learned About AI in Training This head-to-head test highlighted a few important lessons for anyone interested in using AI in learning and development. AI can generate ideas, not finished productsBoth systems were able to spin up something playable quickly. This shows real potential for AI to support rapid prototyping and brainstorming. Modularity is hardAI often struggles with more complex requirements such as linking external files or reusing structures across multiple games. This is crucial in training where scalability matters. Iteration is essentialYou cannot simply “ask once and receive.” Both tools required repeated clarification, debugging and checks. Human oversight is not optional. Human qualities still matterCreativity, critical thinking and empathy for learners are not found in the AI. Even if the code runs, the learning design still comes from people. Is Vibe Coding Ready for Learning and Development? Right now, vibe coding is fascinating but not reliable. It is best viewed as an experimental tool for generating ideas and quick demos rather than as a replacement for trained developers or instructional designers. This does not mean it has no place. For a trainer wanting to visualise how a quiz game might look, AI can give a rough sketch in minutes. But if you need a stable, scalable product that can actually be rolled out, you will still need human expertise. A Smarter Way Forward While vibe coding is entertaining, most organisations need dependable tools that deliver learning in the formats their people need. That is why Open eLMS Learning Generator exists. Instead of wrestling with AI models to produce half-finished code, you can take your existing content and instantly transform it into video, PowerPoint, podcasts or even arcade-style games. It is fast, multilingual and creates professional content that is ready to deploy. You can try it now with a free 14-day trial. Try Open eLMS Learning Generator The verdict from this test is clear: Gemini currently outperforms ChatGPT for vibe coding training games. Yet both tools still highlight the same truth. AI can inspire and support, but it is not yet the finished solution. The real future of learning lies in combining the creativity of people with AI systems that are robust, transparent and reliable. Until then, tools like Open eLMS are a practical bridge between ambition and delivery.
Step by Step Guide to Vibe Coding With Google Gemini: AI in Training
Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to generating text. It is now entering the space of interactive design, helping trainers and educators build learning experiences that once required coding expertise. One of the most exciting developments is vibe coding with Google Gemini. Vibe coding allows you to give the AI a “vibe” or overall direction, and it does the heavy lifting by generating the code, assets and interactivity. This blog explores how Gemini can be used in training through a step by step guide, with a video demonstration embedded below. What the Video Covers In the video, Emil demonstrates how Gemini can be used in learning and development through vibe coding. The step by step process includes: Creating a structured mindfulness course as the foundation. Generating supporting materials such as course outlines, learning goals and presentations. Turning that content into flashcards, handouts and interactive activities. Applying vibe coding to build fully functional online mini-games. The highlight is watching Gemini create a “Mindful Escape” game where learners must recognise and respond to stress triggers. Iteration improves the design further, making the game more challenging and relevant to workplace stress management. Gemini also attempts a snake-style game where mindfulness questions appear when the snake collides with obstacles, showing how even classic mechanics can be reimagined as learning tools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=choImlCJQ_U&list=PL2j5qhe5EPJtm5Qal71mGHjMAx1zCLgaR&index=1 Why Vibe Coding Matters for Training This step by step guide shows how vibe coding can empower trainers without coding expertise. For learning and development teams, the benefits are clear: Rapid prototyping of interactive activities. Gamification of training content to boost engagement. Adaptation of games and quizzes to reflect organisational themes or branding. While Gemini sometimes requires iteration and fixes, it demonstrates how AI can turn ideas into interactive, engaging formats. Vibe coding bridges the gap between imagination and implementation, giving trainers more creative options than ever before. Open eLMS Learning Generator Google Gemini shows what is possible when AI and vibe coding come together. But there is another option for those who want professional-standard results with less back and forth. The Open eLMS Learning Generator can take a single line of text or a PDF and produce a complete, high-quality course in minutes. It automatically includes narration, imagery, animation and interactivity, ready to export as SCORM, video, PowerPoint or microgames. If you want to explore how AI can transform training in a practical and efficient way, you can try the Open eLMS Learning Generator free for 14 days. Try Open eLMS Learning Generator
AI in Training: How to Use Google NotebookLM for Course Creation
The role of artificial intelligence in education and training is expanding at a rapid pace. In our AI in Training series we look at practical applications of AI tools that can make life easier for trainers, teachers and learning and development professionals. Each episode takes a popular AI tool and examines how it works, what it does well, and where it might fall short. In this episode we explore Google NotebookLM, a system designed to help professionals collate, curate and transform content into structured training resources. The Problem: Creating Training Content Efficiently One of the greatest challenges for trainers and learning designers is the time it takes to create professional course materials. Gathering documents, writing lesson plans, and developing supplementary resources such as podcasts, videos and study guides is a process that can take weeks. Most AI tools on the market today can generate content quickly, but they often rely on generic data and do not allow you to anchor learning material to your own sources. This creates a risk of inaccuracy and makes it difficult to ensure courses are specific to your learners’ needs. Google NotebookLM attempts to solve this problem by letting you import your own materials, ringfence them, and then use AI to generate tailored outputs such as schedules, videos, podcasts, mind maps and reports. Google NotebookLM in Action Here is the full walkthrough from our AI in Training series, where we build a time management course using Google NotebookLM. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAaxt2g1y8g&list=PL2j5qhe5EPJu2z227YRWEkuCgg2xnB0dm Why This Matters for Learning Professionals NotebookLM demonstrates how AI can speed up course creation while still keeping the trainer in control of the source material. Instead of starting from scratch, professionals can: Upload their own documents and data sources Curate information to ensure relevance Generate multiple learning resources from a single notebook Save time while still producing accurate, professional content For trainers, teachers and L&D teams this means less time spent on manual course development and more time available for teaching, coaching and learner engagement. This is not about replacing trainers, but about equipping them with smarter tools that extend their capability. There’s Another Way: Open eLMS Learning Generator At Open eLMS we believe that AI should empower learning professionals to create engaging, multimodal courses quickly and effectively. That is why we built the Open eLMS Learning Generator. With a single line of text or a document upload, the Learning Generator instantly produces a full professional e-learning course complete with video presenters, quizzes, animations and voiceovers in any language. You can edit the content online and export it as e-learning, a PowerPoint presentation or a video. Soon, you will also be able to export it as a podcast or even a game-based experience. You can try the Learning Generator free for 14 days and see how AI can transform the way you build training. Try Open eLMS Learning Generator
Step-by-Step Guide to Using ChatGPT for Creating Tailored Learning Content
The Challenge of Training Design In business training, one of the biggest challenges is making content relevant for learners. Generic courses often fail to meet expectations, which leaves participants disengaged. Effective training isn’t just about sharing information – it’s about aligning material with specific learner needs. ChatGPT provides trainers and learning professionals with a powerful way to streamline preparation while delivering personalised content. Instead of spending hours creating surveys, designing slides or restructuring agendas, ChatGPT can take on the heavy lifting. Trainers stay in control, but the AI saves time and ensures each session is better targeted. What the Video Covers In the video below, I demonstrate how to use ChatGPT to design a time management course. The walkthrough covers: Generating pre-course surveys to understand learner needs Analysing survey data and applying insights to course design Creating a one-day session plan tailored to participants Producing PowerPoint slides automatically Developing handouts such as glossaries and planners Rehearsing scenarios with role-play to prepare for challenging learners Drafting marketing emails to promote the training to specific industries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5MjxiafnVA&t=9s&list=PL2j5qhe5EPJu2z227YRWEkuCgg2xnB0dm Practical Benefits of ChatGPT in Training The value of ChatGPT lies in more than speed. By tailoring every element of a course, trainers can: Deliver sessions that feel highly relevant to each audience Scale training design without adding extra staff Adapt existing content quickly to new contexts Focus more on facilitation and learner engagement rather than admin ChatGPT also enhances trainer confidence by enabling rehearsal. Role-playing interactions with “difficult students” allows facilitators to refine their communication strategies before stepping into the classroom. What This Means for Learning Professionals For learning and development teams, ChatGPT opens the door to agile training design. No longer restricted by rigid, pre-set materials, trainers can adapt courses in minutes. Whether it’s creating session outlines, generating slides or producing supporting resources, ChatGPT acts as a capable assistant – leaving the trainer free to focus on impact. The Bigger Picture ChatGPT is one tool in a growing landscape of AI for learning. Platforms such as Google NotebookLM and Anthropic’s Claude offer complementary features, from knowledge organisation to coding support. Together, these tools provide exciting opportunities to enhance and scale training delivery. If you’re working in business training or presentations, now is the time to start experimenting. Begin with surveys and outlines, then expand into slide creation, role-play and marketing. The more you explore, the more you’ll discover how AI can transform your learning design process. Try a Faster Way to Create eLearning While ChatGPT is a powerful assistant for building tailored training, there’s an even simpler way to create professional eLearning from start to finish. With Open eLMS Learning Generator, you can produce high-quality, fully designed courses in minutes. Just type a single line of text and the platform does the rest – from structuring content to generating polished eLearning ready for your learners. Try it free for 14 days and see how quickly you can transform your training. Try Open eLMS Learning Generator
Hunting for a Free LMS? Here’s All You Need to Know!
After much searching we have found 4 genuinely free LMSs (there are hundreds of ‘free LMS’s which are simply free trials so don’t be fooled!) These are genuinely free LMS platforms that won’t cost you a dime! These are plug-and-play systems that are perfect for businesses looking for an easy solution to manage online learning. Sure, they come with some limitations, but if you don’t need all the bells and whistles, these free options can definitely get the job done. And hey, they’re great for testing out if they’re a step up from what you’re currently using. Top Free LMS Options 1. Open eLMS Open eLMS: Free LMS Free for life: Yes User limit: Unlimited Free Courses: 200 licenses for one year Support: Yes Hosted: Yes Instant Access: Yes AI Powered Scripting: Yes AI eLearning Design: Yes SCORM Uploads: 3 new courses per month White Labelling: Yes Data Dashboards: Yes Reporting: Yes Report Builder: Upgrade Smart Classrooms: 3 new events per month Pathways: Upgrade Audits: Upgrade Forms: Upgrade Integrations (Teams etc.): Yes Comments: Open eLMS stands out with features like AI-powered course creation and a user-friendly interface designed by ergonomists. The free version packs a lot more than many paid systems, making it a solid choice that will grow with your needs. Register for instant access to the free LMS. 2. TalentLMS Talentlms: Free LMS Free for life: Yes User limit: 5 Free Courses: 50 licenses for one year Support: Yes Hosted: Yes Instant Access: Yes AI Powered Scripting: Yes AI eLearning Design: Yes SCORM Uploads: 3 new courses per month White Labelling: Upgrade Data Dashboards: Upgrade Reporting: Yes Report Builder: Upgrade Smart Classrooms: No Pathways: Upgrade Audits: No Forms: No Integrations (Teams etc.): Yes Comments: TalentLMS is a sleek, data-driven system that’s great for small businesses due to its 5-user limit. While it doesn’t have the same level of usability focus as Open eLMS, it’s still easy to navigate and packed with features. Register for instant access to the free LMS. 3. SC Training SC Training: Free LMS Free for life: Yes User limit: 10 Free Courses: Unlimited Support: Yes Hosted: Yes Instant Access: Yes AI Powered Scripting: Yes AI eLearning Design: Yes SCORM Uploads: Yes/No White Labelling: Upgrade Data Dashboards: No Reporting: Upgrade Report Builder: Upgrade Smart Classrooms: No Pathways: Upgrade Audits: Upgrade Forms: Upgrade Integrations (Teams etc.): Yes Comments: SC Training focuses on safety training but can be adapted for other areas. With a 10-user limit, it’s suitable for small businesses. The learning tools are robust, although not as visually polished as Open eLMS. Register for instant access to the free LMS. 4. Thinkific Thinkific: Free LMS Free for life: Yes User limit: Unlimited Free Courses: 1 Support: Yes Hosted: Yes Instant Access: Yes AI Powered Scripting: Yes (course outline only) AI eLearning Design: No SCORM Uploads: No White Labelling: Yes Data Dashboards: No Reporting: No Report Builder: Upgrade Smart Classrooms: No Pathways: No Forms: No Integrations (Teams etc.): Yes Comments: Thinkific isn’t your traditional LMS but is great for creating and selling course content. With no SCORM support, it’s more suited for solo instructors or small businesses looking to sell a single course without needing complex features. Register for instant access to the free LMS. Other LMS Options For those who have the time and resources, open-source options like Moodle and Sakai are available but require a lot of setup and maintenance. Canvas’ free version is great for educators but limited to a single teacher license, so it’s not ideal for businesses. Final Word We realise that this is not a long list, but this is the extent of what we could find after several days research. All of the systems here are free to try with no barriers. It’s worth noting that “Free” doesn’t mean low quality – it means these companies trust their products enough to let you use them for free, knowing you’ll love them and potentially upgrade later. So, give them a shot and see which one fits your needs best!