The real story with pretty pictures
AI is the new hot topic on everyone’s lips, and everyone is missing the big picture. I see people talking about many things that don’t matter around Artificial intelligence. For example, anyone discussing AI replacing graphic designers or programmers is missing the point.
The real big story is not of Skynet taking over and rendering humans useless. No. The truth is the new tools emerging with AI are creating opportunities. The velocity of implementation is a crucial metric of any successful venture. We can use AI to take an idea to reality very swiftly. Tools like Midjourney can cut out tedious work and steps from the design process.
I spent some time working as an electrical engineer. One thing I noticed listening to the stories from older engineers is that my job was once a team of many people. Tools like the computer, printers, and AutoCAD gave me the power to do my job alone. I worked on a team with a project manager, a mechanical engineer, a structural engineer, and an admin. This lean team would not have been possible if we needed 40 people in a drafting room to produce a single drawing. Using technology, we could accomplish in hours what would have taken weeks otherwise.
I’m not saying AI will not disrupt the industry and take some jobs away. However, tomorrow’s graphic designers and programmers will be free to spend more time being creative and leveraging the labor of AI to implement higher-quality ideas faster and cheaper.
Character design of the future
One example is character design. The process usually involves coming up with a feeling, followed by a mood board. Then an artist starts to produce concept art. This could take days or even weeks to turn around. Using Midjourny, you can go from idea to character concept in minutes.
With AI art, developers can quickly prototype and iterate on game ideas and easily change the game’s aesthetics. Additionally, AI art can also be used to automate some of the more tedious and time-consuming tasks involved in game development, such as asset management and optimization, freeing up developers to focus on more creative and strategic aspects of the project. Overall, AI art can significantly improve video game development’s speed and efficiency, helping studios bring their games to market more quickly and effectively.
That cuts out an entire step in the process. Developing a video game is expensive and time-consuming. Often the game of your dreams is just too risky to make. What if there isn’t an audience for it? What if no one buys your game? Accelerating the velocity of implementation by using AI tools can bridge this gap. We could be on the precipice of a golden age in game design if it’s inexpensive to produce.
Bonus meme, cool Pokémon/D&D style concept art:
