I have always wanted to create my very own video game. Ever since the first moment I grabbed a controller and threw in Street Fighter 2, I knew this was the world I wanted to be in. 

Fast forward, about 30 years later…. (currently 36) I am proud to say I have zero knowledge on how to build a game. I don’t know how to create breathtaking 3D environments and characters. I especially don’t know how to create blueprints and animations or any of the fancy stuff you need to know before you decide to build any type of realistic game. 

But what I do know is that I have an idea. A crazy lit idea that you and I are going to create together, along with our friend AI. Today, we are going to build a hyperrealistic fighting game using simple AI tools.

Creating a Cyberpunk Art Style Fighting Game

For part 1 of this 3 part series our goal is to use AI to create a series of intricate cyberpunk art style images, each designed to be a perfect fit for a hyper realistic video game setting.

We’ll start with a classic prompt:

“Create an intricate, hyperrealistic cyberpunk cityscape with a focus on neon lighting, holographic advertisements, and bustling streets. Include foreground and background elements to enhance depth and make the scene vibrant and immersive.”

But we won’t stop there. We’ll explore and alter this prompt in unique and innovative ways to see just how versatile and powerful Leonardo AI can be. By utilizing features like Lifelike Vision, which allows us to generate hyperrealistic images with incredible detail, we’ll push the boundaries to find the perfect visuals. And Leonardo lightning, the fastest model platform that leans toward photorealism. Today we will put all this and more to test in part 1 of our 3 part series of creating a hyperrealistc fighting game using cyberpunk art styles

This project will not only help us create stunning artwork but also serve as a demonstration of how Leonardo AI can be a game-changer in the world of graphic novels. We’ll experiment with different angles, lighting, and thematic elements to craft a cityscape that’s not just visually striking but also tells a story.

Stay tuned as we embark on this creative journey, exploring the limitless possibilities that AI offers in the realm of digital art!

​​What You’ll Need

To get started on this project, you’ll need a Leonardo AI account and a stable internet connection. If you want to enhance and personalize your prompt further, having access to ChatGPT is also recommended. It can help refine your prompt based on your unique vision and ideas. With these tools in place, you’ll be all set to create an amazing cyberpunk art style.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Creative Workflow

Before diving into the creative process, you need to set up your tools. Start by accessing Leonardo AI, the platform where you’ll bring your game concepts to life. Have ChatGPT open and ready, as it will help you craft detailed and effective prompts for generating your cyberpunk world. Lastly choose any design program like Canva, Figma, Photoshop. Whatever tool you have comfortability with.

Once you’re familiar with the basics of Leonardo AI and ChatGPT, you’ll be ready to start building your game.

What to Think About: Consider the overall vibe of your cyberpunk world. What kind of atmosphere are you aiming for? Whether it’s dark and gritty or futuristic and vibrant, having a clear idea will help you generate more focused prompts.

Step 2: Crafting Text Prompts for Your Cyberpunk World

Now that you’re ready to begin, use ChatGPT to help craft detailed text prompts that you’ll input into Leonardo AI. These prompts will set the tone for your game by generating key visual elements like cityscapes and environments.

Generating the Cityscape: Start with a general prompt to create the foundation of your game world. Here’s an example:

• Prompt: “Generate a dystopian cyberpunk cityscape with towering skyscrapers, neon-lit streets, and holographic billboards. The city should feel both futuristic and oppressive, with a mix of dark alleyways and bright neon lights.”

Input this into Leonardo AI and let it work its magic. Once the image is generated, you can further refine it by adjusting the prompt. For instance, if you want more detail in the streets, you can add specifics like:

• Refined Prompt: “Add dense crowds of people wearing futuristic attire, alongside flying cars and neon signs in various languages.”

What to Think About: Keep refining the prompt until the cityscape aligns with your vision. Think about the specific details that will make your environment unique, such as the architecture, the color palette, and any key landmarks that might play a role in your game.

Step 3: Designing 3D Environments Using Text Prompts

Now that you have your cityscape, it’s time to dive deeper into designing the 3D environments where your game will unfold. Here’s how you can do it step-by-step using text prompts with Leonardo AI.

Creating the Background and Mid-ground: Begin by layering the environment.

• Background Prompt: “Create a distant view of towering skyscrapers with a dark, polluted sky.”
• Mid-ground Prompt: “Design streets lined with futuristic market stalls, holographic advertisements, and monorail tracks above.”

These prompts help you build the different “layers” of your environment, giving depth to your city. Each layer contributes to the overall atmosphere of the scene.

Foreground Details: To add more realism and interaction points, focus on the foreground:

• Foreground Prompt: “Add detailed street-level elements like cybernetic NPCs, rain-soaked streets, and neon signs flickering in the background.”

What to Think About: Consider how players will navigate these environments. Are there places to explore, items to interact with, or obstacles to overcome? Tailor your prompts to include these interactive elements.

Step 4: Creating Cyberpunk Characters with ChatGPT and Leonardo AI

Characters are the heart of your story, and crafting them using Leonardo AI can be both exciting and rewarding. Use ChatGPT to help you define the specifics of each character.

Main Character Design: Start with your protagonist.

• Character Prompt: “Create a cyberpunk anti-hero wearing high-tech armor and a hooded jacket, with glowing blue cybernetic implants and a rugged, battle-hardened appearance.”

Input this into Leonardo AI to generate your main character. You can tweak the prompt to adjust features like facial expressions, accessories, or clothing style.

Supporting Characters: Next, move on to designing allies and antagonists.

• Ally Prompt: “Generate a tech-savvy hacker character with wild hair, neon glasses, and a utility belt full of gadgets.”
• Villain Prompt: “Create a menacing corporate villain in sleek, black armor with red glowing eyes and a cold, calculating demeanor.”

What to Think About: Think about the role each character plays in your story. Use descriptive language in your prompts to ensure that their visual design reflects their personality and backstory.

Step 5: Developing Plot Lines Using Visual Prompts

With your environments and characters in place, it’s time to build the narrative. The visuals you’ve created will inspire the plot lines and story arcs within your game.

Main Plot Prompt: Use your environments to develop the core story.

• Plot Prompt: “Visualize a cyberpunk city where a lone hacker must infiltrate a corporate megatower to uncover a hidden AI that controls the entire city.”

Subplot Development: To add depth, create subplots that intertwine with the main narrative.

• Subplot Prompt: “Generate a hidden underground market where black-market tech dealers trade illegal cybernetic enhancements.”

Use these images to flesh out the story and design missions or quests that the player can undertake.

What to Think About: Ensure that the visuals support the narrative and vice versa. Your plot should make the most of the environments and characters you’ve designed, with each scene contributing to the overall story.

Step 6: Iteration and Refinement Through Prompt Adjustments

Finally, refine your designs and narrative by revisiting your prompts. Adjust and iterate based on what you’ve generated so far.

Refining Visuals: Revisit your cityscapes, characters, and key plot visuals. For instance:

• Refinement Prompt: “Enhance the dark atmosphere by adding more shadows and dim lighting in the alleyways.”

Testing and Feedback: Share your creations with others or use AI feedback to see where improvements can be made. Use this input to refine your prompts further.

What to Think About: Stay consistent with the cyberpunk aesthetic throughout your game. Each element, from the smallest detail in a character’s outfit to the overall city design, should contribute to a cohesive and immersive experience.