Taking a Risk
I want to take a brief moment to state the obvious and defend my case:
I’m using ChatGPT to help me with a lot of concept and writing right now.
Yes, this entire website was created in less than 2 hours with the help of AI.
If I had been the one to design the entire site, I’d still be working on it for the next 3 months most likely, not have a cohesive color scheme(I was thinking something totally different), and probably would have given up on the project at that point. Instead, we have a landing page, a dev log, and donations already set up.
Yes, the art is all AI generated images.
Honestly, I love the concept art that ChatGPT came up with. I would never have developed that. Now that it’s here, I’ll definitely be working from that style and blending my own into it. As my art is release for this game, I’ll post pieces here. I promise to always let you know when it’s hand drawn vs AI assisted. For now, unless it has a “hand drawn” tag on it, assume AI helped me.
Okay, you know what, I just spent 5 minutes trying to format this blog and can’t even manage to get the sections I want in header separated from the sections I want as paragraph style. I’m not anti-tech by any means(I am learning to code for crying out loud) but this just illustrates my point: THERE IS SO MUCH TO BE LEARNED. If you want, I can forget about launching a demo in 12 months, and just dive into learning how to do all of this by myself for the next 10 years and then maybe in 20 we’ll have a demo released. Or, I can use AI to help.
Why am I so defensive about my AI use? I’ve already received some side-eye feedback from people for relying so heavily on AI and been warned that I need to hide my AI use or I’m going to get cancelled.
I’m already breaking rules with this project.
There’s no combat mechanic.
There’s no traditional farming mechanic.
There’s no need for health or stamina.
How am I going to make this appeal to younger kids, teens, and adults all at the same time?
There’s no swearing.
There’s no “adult type” relationships.
I’m purposefully developing a low dopamine loop game, that means it’s not going to feel as anxiously addicting as others and I’m at risk of player fall out. I’m counting 100% on the story and the journey of learning and discovering to be the only things that keep players hooked in this.
I have some other personal influences woven into the world and story that are going to be seen as “less popular.”
I’m breaking all the rules basically. So add AI to the list. I’m trusting God on this journey, and one way or another, He always comes through for me. If this turns out to be I spent half a decade on a game that only my kids play and we all learn music theory together, so be it. That will be worth it for me.
…but I sincerely hope it becomes the major hit I’m envisioning and millions of people learn to love music, composing, an escape from the noise of modern life, learning a new skill, and above all, are inspired to step out of their comfort zones and try something new.
— Katt
A Feathered Dragon Production
