Generative Graphics Workflow for Games with Jussi Kemppainen

I spoke with Jussi Kemppainen about the future of game development, from the standpoint of a veteran game developer and VFX artist. Jussi has worked at game publishers including Rovio and Remedy. He's currently at Mainframe Industries, working on Pax Dei--a next-gen MMORPG with deep sandbox mechanics in the spirit of Eve Online.

During our conversation we covered how to build graphics pipelines from Midjourney all the way into Unity; how generative AI is likely to change the industry, job openings and careers; methods involving projection-mapping; and Jussi's journey as a game developer as well as an indie game-maker (working on his own generative-AI-assisted title, Echoes of Somewhere). He had some words of wisdom for artists and VFX folks looking to get into game development. There's also a ton of hands-on, practical guidance for anyone trying to figure out how to accelerate their creative process using generative AI tools.

You can find complete Show Notes for the episode here: https://meditations.metavert.io/p/gen...

0:00 Introduction
3:11 Generative AI is like a Team Member
5:03 Learnings from Midjourney
8:50 Embracing Artificial Intelligence for Games
10:00 How GenAI Enabled Indie Game Development
12:15 Understanding Artist's Intention
14:00 Impact on Game Industry Jobs
16:20 Opportunities for Small Teams
19:30 Advice for College Students
25:08 Process with Midjourney to Unity
33:33 UV Unwrap and Rigging
36:00 Indie Game Development
37:48 Building Games for Fun
39:51 Pax Dei MMORPG
45:30 Shader Programming
50:50 AI as Creative Partner