I've actively avoided AI spaces because I have, for the longest time, been broadly against it. I see its uses but I don't think it should be as widely available as it has become. The prospect of demand is doing too much harm.
This was the same prompt as grok, btw. The only difference is I used two additional commands to add the arcane anomaly.
This was focused on art because I can code my project. I'm also doing all my own pixel art. I just lack the experience to pump out large scale pieces. I know I could, it would just take way more time than I have.
I'll look into locally ran models, that would take away some of the guilt.
Ok, so grok is garbage, I'm so glad I don't use Xtwit any more.
This is what I'm talking about, aside from some minor artifacting, this looks like a legit piece of concept art.
I hate it but I can't deny this would help sell my vision.
Awesome, I've dabbled in RPGM. I'm actually using their off shoot Pixel Game Maker engine to build the prototype for my game. It allows java plug-ins. I'm also considering learning godot because they've released a new version that runs on it but also allows for visual coding.
I know I'm creative. I'm not talented but I have imagination. That's why I'm making 8bit games (and I grew up on the NES). Pixel art is simple enough I can translate my creativity into it.
I'm just struggling with the idea of using AI to fill the gaps in my ability I can't fill.
For sure, for some people. It's easy to think of ourselves as above it all. I'm guilty of it. I feel like people who like AI art, or fall for it and think it's real, are less sophisticated in their taste than I am.
My point in starting this convo now is that things will change. AI will get better.
My thoughts at this moment, however, are that I have no hope of creating this kind of art myself. I have no money to pay someone to create this art. My only hope is once I have a prototype ready, running a kickstarter with allotted funds for art. This is 100% preferable but what if the kick fails?
For a very long time this has been my view. I personally don't like the way most AI art looks but that's just with current models. I'm sure it will get to the point where that aspect will fade and it will become indistinguishable.
I've heard we're still a couple years off but it will get to the point where it can fully write code for you. That's the info that kind of prompted this existential crisis.
I agree, but that doesn't mean there isn't a market for it. Especially since people can earn an income from it now.
I feel the same way about those cheap plastic knockoff toys you find in dollar stores. You look at it and think, this is crap why would anyone but it?
People do, though.
It's also going to affect corpo in the same way. As the market is flooded with games that anyone (I mean it) can make with just a few prompts.
This is going to take income away from big studios, who will continue to lay off employees and increase prices until they also have to turn to AI.
The sad thing is, this is going to be the industry standard soon. Not just with art but programming, scripts, etc.
As more and more people turn to AI, artists make less money. They raise prices to make up for the lost revenue as well as cost of living.
This makes it harder for a solo to get art.
Obviously it isn't exactly what I have in mind for the style and theme. I'm sure if I spent more time honing the image I could get there but I didn't want to use more resources than I had to.
I have mixed feelings. I can see the good but I also see oh so much bad.
**Warning This Post Contains AI**
Real talk because AI is going to become inescapable soon. What are your feelings on AI art for solo devs?
This is the first thing I decided to make just to see if it could do what I need.
I have more thoughts I'll share below but please tell me what you think.
Happy New Year, Butterflies!
It's crazy to think this is the year you all will be able to play Neon Rapture for the first time!
Follow @nerdydudegames.bsky.social to keep updated on when the first pre-alpha will be released.
For now: yellow wizkid
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
After a long sickness and a short holiday, I'm back! 🤓
Enemies will drop Tcite when defeated corresponding to their element type. If you're looking for a specific upgrade, hunt specific enemies.
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
Next up: the blue wizkid's animation and spell. Each of these spells reflect the element type associated with that color.
Green is lazer, blue is spread, red is burst, and yellow is static. This goes the same for the player's weapons.
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
Here's the full animation for the green wizkid. In the lore, humans are the only species that can't access magic directly. Instead, we need to use Tcite. Even a small gemstone on the end of a wand is enough to channel a spell.
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
Another animated machine enemy. In Neon Rapture creatures like this are given a form of life through the magic of a mineral called Tcite.
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
Take a glance at some environmental animation tests for #ScreenShotSaturday.
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
In an arcane war, enemies can appear on the battlefield at a moments notice. Keep an eye out for portals like this... and anything that may have come through it.
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
You might have noticed that certain enemies look similar or have a theme. There are enemy "groups" that you will encounter in the various biomes of the world.
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
Happy #screenshotsaturday!
Here's some updated environment visuals.
I've been trucking through getting my project built again. Most of the actual game systems aren't in place but I had enough to put this preview together.
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
Another one of my early enemies. I had always wanted his weapon to be a halberd, but at this small scale it's kind of hard to convey properly.
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
In keeping with the theme of early designs: Some times I just draw random squiggles and try to make something from them. This snake/bird with scythe arms was the product of one of those exercises.
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
As a challenge (and a bit of fun) I whipped up mock box art. It might look familiar, #ifyouknowyouknow.
My first goal outside development is getting some quality promo art commissioned. This is why I draw with tiny squares.
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture
It's my own fault, I knew I should have started from scratch all along.
#lessonlearned #noshortcuts #indiedev
Turns out the engine bug I had experienced last week persisted and I'm going to have to start over. I think the issue sprang from trying to import old objects from previous builds.
So a playable version is ever further off than I had hoped. Luckily I still have plenty of awesome gifs to share.
This is the first enemy I designed for #NeonRapture.
My inspiration (especially in the first sprite) was "what if Shyguy but evil?"
They kind of evolved from there to an amorphous mass seemingly controlled by rough stone disks that look suspiciously like faces...
#pixelart #indiedev #indiegame
