A Creative Journey with diffusion models: A rpg maker post - 1.0

I've been feeling confused for a while now, truly, the word is lost. Yes, I'm a bit lost in a vital area; I can't find space for artistic development, or I can't find a comfortable place to "paint". I've spent years looking for my space, creating places where I can express myself somehow. I manage a literature page and I'm fine with it, but it's not what I'm looking for, nor is it the audience, nor the platform. This last point is important, I can't deny that even I succumb to the dynamics of the platforms. Instagram, for example, is not a comfortable space to elaborate on an idea, nor can I capture attention for more than a minute... God, I would never have imagined that a minute of video could be a lot back in 2010, but today it is. In practical terms, this is an absurd standard, even insulting. Anyway.

I want to share a bit of my creative journey, really. Whether or not it's interesting, whether I succeed or not, among so many people, someone might find inspiration in my actions.

This introduction isn't very solid, but it's not clumsy either. So, I'll write what is supposed to be my first post on this profile, and it won't be a guide, but you could take it as such. I want to make two games, yes, two. I'm not ambitious, nor am I blinded by the capabilities of diffusion models, so I'll start by saying that these games won't aim for more than an hour of gameplay, maybe less, and my intention is to seek interesting narratives together with the Chat GPT API by connecting it with RPG Maker MZ. This is the main point, as I want to make clear what I'm aiming for, what steps I'll take, and what tools I plan to use.

The Projects:

Game 1: Houdini in Hell

The first game is about Houdini, the cat on my profile, and I want to combine three inspirational sources in the central theme: Arthur Rimbaud's poem "A Season in Hell", Clive Barker's "Hellraiser", and some topics from "The Divine Comedy" and "Berserk", especially Griffith's ascension. It's about hell, clearly. My cat visits hell to speak with Satan.

Game 2: Eidon's Mountain

The second game is about a mountain, and the main theme is ascension. Eidon, my character, will climb a mountain to reach a willow tree because it is said that an Aleph is hidden there. This concept is inspired by Borges, from his book "The Aleph".

i made a mock up long time ago:

I have tried, in almost everything I do, to represent these two stories and with them talk about the loss of friendship and the separation of paths. That's where I want to focus because there is not a single thing I do that doesn't promote the ethical, emotional, and spiritual difficulties that people must face throughout their lives.

That said, and having clarified the content I will use, my sources of inspiration, and my incredible ability to post things out of place, I will proceed to list my steps to follow. I will not delve into post-production in terms of marketing; I don't know how to market a game properly. Everything else will be outlined based on a development structure.

Steps to Follow:

Conceptualization:

• I have clearly defined the themes and inspirations for each game.

• Now I will create initial sketches and designs based on the Loras I have created, using my own drawings and material as the dataset. If you want to learn how to do this, I have already written two guides on the subject, and most people here seem to know how to do it. However, assuming you are new to it, I will leave the links:

  • https://civitai.com/articles/4928/consistent-characters-lora-training-entrenamiento-de-personaje-consistente

  • https://civitai.com/articles/5616/guide-to-training-your-drawings-with-generative-ai

Narrative Development:

• I will write the scripts and dialogues, incorporating literary influences.

• I have integrated the Chat GPT API by translating code from Japanese to Spanish. This will help me generate dynamic interactions and conversations with NPCs.

like this:

Map and Scenario Design:

• I will use parallax mapping to create ascending and descending maps, working almost entirely outside the engine. For this, I only need Photoshop or another editing program.

• I will configure the collisions and ensure that the environments reflect the desired aesthetic.

Game Development:

• I will define the mechanics in the next post. I will program a debug zone with the game mechanics, including exploration and decision-making systems.

Testing and Refinement:

• I will conduct tests to detect errors. This is the most valuable part of this project, as no one has ever learned more than from their mistakes.

• I will refine the visual and narrative elements based on feedback. If I don't get feedback, I will die (figuratively speaking, of course).

Publication:

• I will publish the games on an accessible platform, without the need for extensive marketing.

• I will share the creative process and the lessons learned throughout development.

As I progress on this journey, I will share my progress and reflections here. I hope my creative path can serve as inspiration and guidance for others who, like me, are looking for their space to paint and express themselves.