Personal Design Firm

My business is an independent videogame development company. Currently it is just me and ChatGPT, but the AI-powered tools provide automated code suggestions that can significantly speed up my programming process. These tools leverage large databases of code to suggest snippets that fit the context of the current project. This is particularly beneficial for beginner programmers like myself, who can learn from the suggestions and see best practices in action.

I have been working with ChatGPT for almost a year now developing code together, and I believe that I am understanding the language and verbage needed to squeeze meaningful code and help from the program. The AI allows users to describe functionality in natural language, which it can then translate into code. This can drastically reduce the entry barrier for individuals new to programming, allowing them to focus on the logic of what they want to achieve rather than the syntax of how to express it. Debugging is an interesting area when it comes to AI generated code, as AI is less prone to mistakes at what it thinks you want done, the largest problem I’ve found with AI code is that it may change variable or code names without warning. The other big issue is trying to explain what it is you want from the AI and iterating through what it thinks you want. For example saying you want an image on top of another has multiple meanings, do we want them one above the other? Do we want them overlapping? Finding where the disconnect is in the human prompts is the primary issue that is repeated in my work.

Multimodal Reflective

Final project will be an interactive informative webpage to help younger audiences better understand programming concepts. It will be a page divided into 2 like a book, with the left side being a spellbook page or scroll that shows a magical spell. When you run the mouse over this image you are able to ‘see’ through the spell into C# code that does the same thing. The right side of the page will have further explanations of what is going on in the spellcode and may have links to further reading or documentation.

The essay will be about the difficulties of getting ChatGPT to do what I want, and not what it THINKS I want. One of my first issues was trying to clear up a misunderstanding about two images being on top of eachother, AI thought I wanted them stacked one and then the other below it like scrolling down a page. However I wanted them to be stacked on top of eachother overlapping, one entirely obscuring the other. It took the better part of an hour to figure out how to explain what I needed after figuring out where the disconnect was in our communication.

AI in Programming

Type/Genre: Tower Defense

Role: Programmer

Description: Tower defense game is a browser-based interactive game developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, featuring a mix of strategy and action elements set in a 2D environment.Players must defend their territory from waves of incoming enemies by strategically placing towers on the game board.

AI and Coding

The future of coding, especially within the realms of game development, appears to be intricately tied with the advancements in AI technologies. As someone who integrates ChatGPT into my coding workflow almost every time I develop video games, I’ve observed firsthand the transformative potential of AI in not only streamlining coding practices but also in democratizing education in this field. The ability of AI to explain complex coding concepts in various ways caters to diverse learning styles, making it an invaluable tool for individuals like me, who may not have had the opportunity to pursue formal coding education. This accessibility enables us to learn and grow as developers in real-time, a testament to how AI is not just an aid but a catalyst for innovation and inclusivity in coding. The prospect of AI in teaching and coding is not just promising; it’s already shaping a new era of developers equipped with the knowledge and skills to push the boundaries of what’s possible in game development and beyond.

Journey to Nocturne

I am going to make a video documentary about a creature on an alien planet. There will be high shots above the clouds to begin with and a lot of semi close up shots keeping the viewer intimate with the subject. The video will imply a journey with an old man through an alien forest explaining the creature we find. We will focus on the teddybear-like Lumibear and also be introduced to its predator, the Nightstalker. The video will end with the old man walking away from the camera, presumably on to the next episode.

The audio is a voiceover that sounds like David Attenborough describing the creatures of the alien planet of Nocturne. In the background is ambient forest sounds that I found. The ambience I couldn’t find a way to make using AI so it is clips from a free sound effect site.

Dangers to the Status Quo

The advent of AI in cinema introduces significant opportunities and challenges for both Hollywood and independent artists. AI has the potential to democratize filmmaking, making advanced editing, special effects, and scriptwriting tools accessible to independent creators. This could lead to a broader diversity of stories being told. For Hollywood, AI offers ways to streamline production, enhance visual effects, and tailor content to audiences more effectively, potentially enriching the cinematic experience.

However, the integration of AI also poses risks, including the displacement of traditional jobs and the possibility of AI perpetuating biases found in its training data. There’s a concern about balancing technological efficiencies with preserving artistic integrity and employment. Additionally, the ease of creating content with AI might lead to market saturation, making it harder for unique voices to stand out.

The future of AI in cinema will hinge on navigating these challenges responsibly, ensuring AI tools augment rather than replace human creativity. This will involve ethical AI development, regulation, and dialogue among all stakeholders in the film industry to foster a diverse and dynamic cinematic landscape.

Seraphinianus

I would first write everything i could think of about the planet where the fiction takes place, landscapes and lifeforms. Then describe the society that lives there, who they are, what they are, what they believe. Then try to list everything I think is important about the place, trying to get as much descriptive imagery out onto the screen as I can. Then I would wonder about what would be helpful to people living there, what tools and societal norms would be beneficial.

Once I had a LOT of detail written down I would start to further develop each facet of the world with ChatGPT, deciding what I can about each scale I look at the world in. I would keep all the useful information in a text file and organize it into a ‘world bible’. Then I would feed this into a custom GPT to contain the knowledge of the world so that I can explore it further.

Afterwards I would decide what kind of format would be best used to share this world with other people. Pictures, stories, travel guides, national geographics? Would there be a unique language or alphabet that would need to be made like Tolkien or left ambiguous like the Seraphinianus?

I would like to discover novel societal solutions to living in a fictive world and what sorts of moral dilemmas or ambiguities could be found within.

Nocturne Explored

My inspiration is a space colony on a hostile planet named Nocturne, ChatGPT and I created this week and last. I chose to create creatures that would live on the world that I expanded upon in the worldbuilding assignment. I wanted these creatures to be a mix of modified Earth creatures at first but went a bit crazier with each one. I worked between ChatGPT and Midjourney, using Chat to generate a few examples of alien creatures modeled after my first few creations and used its descriptions to generate them in Midjourney. I found that Midjourney will straight up put in creatures you mention in your descriptions that are like, “cross between a bear and a butterfly” as well as try to make what you describe. So I ended up with glowing butterflies in all the images of my Lumibears. I also discovered Midjourney is very good at making cats, which for once wasn’t helpful since I was trying to make fantastical creatures.

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Nocturne Explored

Nocturne Colony

Era and Setting

This world exists in a distant future, centuries after humanity’s leap into space colonization. The setting is a hostile planet named Nocturne, characterized by its dimly lit environment, a result of the weak sunlight piercing through its thick, cloud-covered skies. The landscape is a blend of hauntingly beautiful dark forests, where trees and plants exhibit shades of deep purples and blues, and rugged terrains illuminated by the eerie glow of fauna with bioluminescent eyes. Lava pools dot the landscape, providing natural light and power sources.

Environment

Nocturne’s climate is temperate but shrouded in perpetual twilight, creating a world where day and night blur into one. The geography is marked by its vast haunted forests, home to mythical monsters and creatures, and vast plains that host the glowing flora and fauna. The planet’s unique feature is its active geothermal activity, providing an abundance of energy but also presenting dangers with sudden geothermal vents and lava flows.

Food and Culture

In this world, cuisine is a celebration of color and flavor, a stark contrast to the dark environment. Dishes are vibrant, incorporating bioluminescent ingredients that glow softly on the dinner table, creating a mesmerizing dining experience. Cultural practices revolve around communal gatherings and celebrations, where stories of ancient Earth and the marvels of Nocturne are shared. Art, music, and dance are highly valued, often incorporating technology to create immersive experiences. Traditional garments are adorned with light-emitting fibers, making fashion a display of light and color.

Economy

The economy operates on a sophisticated barter system, reflective of a society that has transcended traditional monetary needs. Key resources include technological artifacts, art, culinary creations, and experiential services. Knowledge and unique experiences are the most valued commodities, leading to a rich culture of sharing and innovation. The society’s post-scarcity economy allows for a focus on personal fulfillment and communal well-being rather than survival.

Religion and Education

Religious practices are diverse, with many choosing to honor Earth’s ancient religions in personal shrines or communal temples, integrating respect for their ancestral planet with the awe of their new home. Education is highly personalized, leveraging AI to tailor learning experiences to individual interests and abilities. Knowledge and learning are considered sacred, with a strong emphasis on exploring the symbiosis between technology and natural life.

Technology

Technology in this world is both advanced and harmoniously integrated into daily life. AI systems manage safety and infrastructure, protecting inhabitants from the planet’s dangers while ensuring a seamless existence. Holographic interfaces are commonplace, providing interactive signs and educational tools. Biotechnology has advanced to heal injuries and enhance human capabilities, allowing for exploration and interaction with the planet’s unique ecosystems. AI and human councils work together, making decisions through a blend of algorithmic analysis and human empathy.

Uniqueness

The uniqueness of this world lies in its symbiotic relationship between humanity and AI, set against the backdrop of a beautiful yet menacing landscape. The society’s embrace of technology not only for survival but for enhancing the quality of life, cultural expression, and personal growth creates a unique civilization. The constant interaction with the planet’s mysterious creatures and environments fosters a culture of respect for nature, curiosity, and bravery. The blending of ancient Earth traditions with the novel challenges and opportunities of Nocturne encapsulates the spirit of human adaptability and innovation.

Darkest Suess

On a night not too bright, with the moon peeking slight, young Alex walked home, feeling quite alone. The path once so clear, now seemed weird, as if shadows and light had a mysterious fight. The air was not light, it was tight, with a feeling of eyes, hidden out of sight.

The dark danced with glee, a sight too eerie to see. Trees with fingers so bent, seemed to lament. The wind, it did not send scents of blooms that mend, but of whispers that bend, in tongues old as time, a chilling rhyme. Alex quickened their stride, trying to hide from the fear inside, that slithered and slid, like a forbidden bid.

As further they went, the world seemed bent, lights that should guide, now chose to hide. Shadows grew bold, forming tales untold, not just monsters in bed, but nightmares that spread. These creatures, so stark, laughed in the dark, defying what’s known, in a tone so moan.

In shadows so deep, where light dared not creep, Alex saw, or felt, a horror that dealt. A crack in the seam, like a bad dream, showing a place, with no grace, entities so vast, from ages past, their gaze cast, a hunger so vast.

The cold whispered low, of despair and woe, making Alex feel small, against it all. Yet within their heart, sparked a brave part, knowing these fears, fed on tears. To see them was to feed them, a fact quite grim.

With courage anew, Alex knew what to do, turned their back on the night, set their sights on home’s light. They ran, not glancing back, on the fear-laden track, till home’s warmth they found, a safety unbound.

Back inside, where shadows hide, the night seemed still, but Alex knew the drill. The monsters were there, in the dark lair, waiting for fear, to draw near. But now they knew, through and through, we’re not alone, this truth shown, and the darkness around, is waiting, profound, for its time to abound, in silence profound.

 

Imagine a vibrant, storybook illustration filled with whimsical colors and playful shadows under a smiling moon. A brave young child, Alex, is depicted making their way home, holding a lantern that casts a warm, inviting light. The scene is alive with mysterious and fantastical creatures of the night, all portrayed in a friendly, non-threatening manner. The atmosphere conveys a sense of adventure and courage, with exaggerated features and elements reminiscent of a classic children's storybook style. The trees have friendly faces, and the creatures, while mysterious, have a gentle appearance, encouraging the imagination to roam freely in this enchanted nighttime setting.