S.C.A.I.O.N will incorporate AI-generated elements, including music, graphics, and voiceovers.
I’d like to address why I’ve chosen to use AI-generated content. My stance on AI-generated content is neutral. However, I understand that many people are opposed to this, and the reasons why, but I see it as a valuable tool when used properly to enhance creativity.
For instance, not everyone excels at all aspects of game development. Someone might be skilled at 3D modeling but struggle with creating music or art. Hiring others to fill those gaps isn’t always feasible, especially for solo developers working on limited budgets. This is where AI comes in handy—it helps bridge those gaps, making it possible to develop a more polished and cohesive game without needing a large team or extensive resources.
Voiceovers
I’ve used a fair amount of AI-generated speech, particularly for S.C.A.I.O.N’s voice. This is done through a simple text-to-speech (TTS) program, with the voice slightly modified to give it a more computerized tone. Other characters also have voiceovers, which are strategically placed where they enhance the experience without becoming overwhelming.
Since S.C.A.I.O.N features a significant amount of written material, fully voicing these sections would be impractical and resource-intensive. More importantly, I believe it’s more engaging for players to read and absorb the written material at their own pace.
Music
While I write my own lyrics, I lack the talent and resources to create the accompanying music. AI has been a game-changer in this regard, helping to bring my lyrics to life through music.
AI music generators generally work by analyzing large datasets of existing songs to identify patterns and structures, allowing them to generate new compositions. By pairing this technology with my own lyrics or creative prompts, the resulting songs are often transformative and uniquely tailored to the game’s tone and atmosphere.
This is where conflicts can arise, particularly with copyright material. Since AI is trained on existing music, there’s always a risk that a generated piece could resemble an existing song too closely, even if it’s unintentional. Copyright issues can become complicated, as similarities in melody, chord progressions, or structure might still lead to possible claims—even when the work falls under fair use.
I’ve aimed to create distinct, original-sounding songs while also using resources available under CC0 and other free-to-use licenses to create suitable music for the game.
Graphics
The AI-generated graphics used in S.C.A.I.O.N are primarily used for cutscenes to enhance their visual quality. Since I’m not particularly skilled at drawing or creating artwork from scratch, using AI for cutscenese graphics is a practical necessity.
I’ve aimed to create cutscene graphics as tastefully as possible, but due to the nature of AI training models (as mentioned earlier), some similarities to existing artwork or styles may be unavoidable. That said, the message these visuals convey is crucial for reinforcing the tone and impact of cutscenes.
I create the graphics for titles, interfaces, and model textures myself, often drawing inspiration from existing textures rather than relying soley on AI. Additionally, I capture photos from natural textures—everything from grass and tree bark to bricks and stone—and transform them into seamless textures for use in the models.
Final Notes
AI-generated content plays a meaningful role in shaping S.C.A.I.O.N’s overall gameplay experience from music and voiceovers to graphics. As I mentioned earlier, while I see AI as a powerful, valuable tool for enhancing creativity and bridging the gaps in time, budget, or skill, I understand that not everyone is comfortable with its use.
To accommodate different preferences, there will be an option to toggle AI-generated content on or off at the beginning of the game. Disabling it may mean missing out on certain immersive elements, but the core experinece will remain intact. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a balanced, engaging, and enjoyable experience, whether you choose to engage with the AI-generated content or not.
At its core, S.C.A.I.O.N is about the story, the world, and the experience it creates for players. AI-generated content is just one aspect of the game, serving to enrich its atmosphere and depth, but my focus still remains on creating a compelling and immersive experience, regardless of how you feel about content created with AI.
