AI art generators are growing in popularity. They are also becoming a powerful tool for game creators. AI art generators use algorithms and machine learning to generate stunning visuals in a fraction of the time it would take a human artist to create the same art quality.
This technology is revolutionizing the gaming industry by allowing game developers to create beautiful, unique visuals with ease.
We’ve compiled a list of top AI art generators to help you create game assets. We’ll also share a few tips for making the most out of these remarkable tools.
Best AI Art Generators for Game Developers
Hotpot Ai
Hotpot Ai provides an effortless way to craft assets for your game. You can modify their pre-made templates or design new graphics from the ground up. Create buttons, icons, word tiles, playing cards, background images, and other resources using Hotpot’s easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor.
To use your creations commercially, you’ll need to buy credits. Bundles can range from $12 to $420, depending on the credits.
Sloyd.AI
If you’re building a 3D game and need game assets, Sloyd.AI is worth checking out. You can craft what you’re looking for with the ever-growing collection of generators and be inspired by the newest additions from the community. Models can be easily modified with special sliders and toggles to suit your taste, or you can just hit randomize to experiment. Plus, it’s currently free to use.
Scenario.gg
Scenario.gg is an AI tool that helps you create unique, high-quality assets for your games with a cohesive style. Pick or upload your own data such as characters, props, vehicles, weapons, skins, buildings, concept art, pixel art, sketches, etc. to use as a training set for machine learning algorithms. Then write your prompt (text-based description) to generate your desired game asset. Scenario.gg is currently free, but there is a waiting list.
Midjourney
Midjourney is a popular platform that uses an AI, and Machine Learning (ML) algorithm trained on a massive dataset of images to make unique pictures via text prompts and parameters. Currently, you can access Midjourney through its official Discord bot. Midjourney offers a free trial, for the first 25 images. Then they have monthly subscription plans that start around $10 per month.
Dall-E 2
DALL-E 2 is also an option for game creators. OpenAI developed this AI art generator. It allows users to input a text description (a prompt) of an image and generate a corresponding image. For example, you could input “a robot riding a unicorn in space,” and the AI would generate an image of a robot riding a unicorn in space. You only pay for what you use at DALL-E. Each downloaded image costs 16-20 cents based on size.
DreamStudio
DreamStudio offers a user-friendly platform for generating visuals through the latest edition of the Stable Diffusion image creation process. With just a few words, you can create high-quality images of any concept in a matter of moments — type in a text prompt and click Dream. All new users will be given 100 complimentary DreamStudio credits to make 500 standard images. However, you’ll need to purchase more credits when you run out. A credit bundle costs $10.
Deep Dream Generator
Developed by Google, Deep Dream is an AI algorithm that uses a convolutional neural network to generate surreal, dream-like images. It can be used to create a variety of game assets, including characters, environments, and objects. You’re given 30 free energy points to create images when you sign up. To continue generating assets, you’ll need to subscribe to one of our plans, starting at $19 per month.
Artbreeder
Artbreeder is an AI art generator that allows you to create and customize images by adjusting various parameters and traits. You can start with an existing image or use one of Artbreeder’s pre-generated templates and then fine-tune the image by changing color, shape, and texture. Creators can generate unlimited images for free with the ability to download five high-resolution pictures and more. To gain access to additional downloads and extras, you’ll need to subscribe to one of their monthly plans for around $7.
NightCafe
NightCafe is an AI art generator that is renowned for its abundance of algorithms and choices compared to other generators. It has a straightforward user interface which is suitable for beginner users. NightCafe is based on a credit system, but it also has a generous free tier and many possibilities to earn credits by taking part in the community. Plus, you can buy credits ranging from $7.99 to $37.99.
Runway ML
Runway ML is a powerful AI art generator and video editor that can do text-to-image, image-to-image generations, background removal from videos and images, erasure and replacement of objects in videos, text-to-3D textures, and much more. You can create your first 25 images and export one video project for free. Their plans start at $15 per month. If you want to go beyond just creating images, it’s worth checking out!
These are just a handful of the top AI art generators that can be used to create game assets. There are dozens out there. Many of them are still in beta development too. Each has its own unique capabilities and can be useful for generating a variety of different types of game assets. Some may work better for creating pixel art or backdrops, while others could be more suited for creating 3D models. Try experimenting with a few different tools to discover the best one that suits your needs.
Top Tips for Using AI Art Generators
Most text-to-image AI generation tools require users to write a prompt to produce an image. For those unfamiliar with the term, a prompt is a series of directions given to a machine-learning model to create a specific outcome. A clear, effective prompt will help you get the desired results.
If you’re new to writing prompts and using AI tools, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Here are some essential tips to follow!
Tip No.1 – Learn the Ropes First
To ensure you get the most out of any AI tool, always take the time to browse through its resources and documentation. Most platforms are filled with tutorials, prompt tips, terminology, and detailed information on features you need to know to maximize the tool’s efficiency. Learning the ropes will ease the learning curve and save you valuable time.
Tip No. 2 – Don’t Waste Your Free Credits
Before diving in, it’s also important to have a solid understanding of what type of game art you want to make and the overall art style. Think about what you want to create, make a list of descriptive words to use in your prompts. That way, if you decide to use a platform with a limited or trial period, you won’t waste your free credits before you’re sure which descriptive words to use in your prompt.
Tip No. 3 – Write Good Prompts
When using AI art generators, keep your prompt simple and specific, provide examples if possible, and include relevant keywords. Try to include the type of game asset you want (e.g. “character sprite,” “background,” “UI element”), as well as any specific features or attributes you want the asset to have (e.g. “fantasy,” “sci-fi,” “modern”). A good prompt should be descriptive with a minimum of at least three words.
Example Prompt: “Create a character sprite for a fantasy RPG game. The character should be a human male warrior, wearing armor and carrying a sword. The character should have a rugged, determined expression on his face. The sprite should be facing right and be in a ready-to-attack pose.”
Results via Midjourney:
Tip No. 4 – Check Out the Community Showcase
One of the best ways to gauge what an AI tool can do is to browse through its community showcase section. See what other creators are creating to help spark your creativity. You never know what you might find. Most tools also list the prompt that was used to create the image, so you can take a look at the descriptive wording and use it in your next creation too.
With the various options available online, it’s important to do your research and select the AI art generator that best meets your needs and budget. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this post, you can choose the best AI art generator for your project and start creating professional-quality game assets in no time.
You can find more game art resources right here. Happy game making!
