We presented this proof of concept at  SIGGRAPH ’24!

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The storyline and score were written, produced, generated, and edited by Tuesday in just 6 hours, for under $25, using an ensemble of AI tools—without intentionally misusing or disrespecting the intellectual property of other artists, designers, or composers.

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This narrative demonstrates Tuesday’s Aspirational Game Design© framework, showcasing how immersive and visually compelling ethical video games can rival traditional titles. The ethical game market traditionally does not yield as much revenue and there is a huge gap in the market for succesful titles. We explored techniques to redefine the possibilities for the ethical game market, and this proof of concept aims to show that socially responsible games can be just as appealing and engaging. In collaboration with one of our research partners, Adjunct Professor Lena Natero of UCLA Game Labs, we explored the potential of ethical AI advancements in narrative design and real-time NPC characters using LLMs. Leveraging relatively affordable and highly capable image generators like MidJourney or powerful NVIDIA tools such as Omniverse and OpenUSD for 3D modelling and real-time NPC support, we showcased how generative AI can make it more affordable for indie game devs to create cutting edge gameplay experiences and demos to stay competitive or break into the market without the traditionally restrictive and exorbitant production budgets. Professor Natero is now teaching this approach to students in her 2024 course, further demonstrating how artists can partner with educators to advocate for themselves and influence the next generation of game designers. We aim to encourage thoughtful design practices and ethical considerations that previous generations may not have prioritized—such as anti-addiction gameplay arcs that reduce the risk of gaming addiction and promote healthier gameplay habits.

 

Our objective was to empower indie game producers, filmmakers, and designers to harness the democratizing power of generative AI. By creating original themes and using thoughtful prompts that avoid referencing living creators by name, we demonstrated how it’s possible to reduce production costs dramatically and honor the work of favorite artists without copying their unique styles or contributing to unfair market pressures on independent musicians. More work must be done to protect the intellectual property of artists and creatives globally, but the cat's out of the bag with generative AI and we believe this double edged sword has the potential to be wielded ethically if the users of AI platforms are educated on ways to remain conscientious of widespread inequities in the art, music, and entertainment market. In the words of the legendary Tom Waits in his 1990 lawsuit against Frito-Lay Inc, in which he was awarded $2.475 million dollars for the unauthorized use of his voice in a commercial which he referred to as  a "corn chip sermon," 

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An artist "does not have to have global sales in the billions to be protected by the law." 

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We here at ARTIFEX are in full agreement with Mr. Waits.