Generative AI models like Dall-E 3 have made so many lives easier, and the technology isn't even that popular yet. While many people have only used these AI models for fun, some have significantly increased their productivity with this type of tech.
Let's say that you have an idea for a video game. It's difficult to get other people on board or get a few investments if you only describe your plan in words. People need to see at least some visuals to be aligned with your vision.
I wanted to make a platformer video game several years ago but ultimately didn't find enough time to do it because I was writing a lot of content. I was also trying to do everything on my own instead of hiring or teaming up with people for certain tasks.
Looking back at that whole experience now, I know that it would've been much easier to make the game if I had access to the tools powered by artificial intelligence that are available today.
How to Write Dall-E 3 Prompts for Video Game Assets
How assets are designed in video games is extremely important to most players. It's the reason why item skins in certain games are sold for insane amounts of money. Apart from looking cool, some of these skins represent a status symbol in the digital world. My prediction is that this trend will become even more popular in the future.
There are many different types of video game assets that you'll need to create, ranging from characters and buildings to vehicles and weapons. If you're a good developer but don't have any design skills, it may be difficult to explain to a professional designer exactly how you want these assets to look like. This is especially the case if you don't have any reference images.
That's why today I'm going to show you how you can make excellent designs for video game assets using nothing more than plain text with Dall-E 3. This is an exceptional text-to-image AI tool that has perfect coherence and understanding of text. That means that it will follow your instructions even if they're filled with intricate details in the prompt.
The only thing you'll need to create good game assets in Dall-E 3 is creativity. You will need to think about how to describe the assets you have in mind in a concise and precise way. And I'll show you how to do exactly that in the next section of the article.
Please note that I don't claim to be an expert in this field. I'm simply a person who started using tools like this early and have since written countless prompts. I'm saying this to let you know that you should use my prompts only for inspiration but aim to be better than me.
10 Dall-E 3 Prompt Examples for Game Assets
The best thing about Dall-E 3 is that you can write instructions in a conversational manner and the model will create high-quality images from your text. This is great for beginners. Although I could use the same approach, my aim is to show you how to get the most out of models like this. That's why you'll notice that my prompts are structured in a certain way.
prompt #1: 3D model video game asset, enchanted crystal wand with a swirling vortex of elemental energy at its tip, casting a vibrant glow
This looks incredible. The style kind of reminds me of a video game series called Trine that I used to love playing. There are a lot of interesting details here that I spent time analyzing. I love the fact that Dall-E 3 has extraordinary coherence. I doubt any other model would so accurately create this swirling vortex at the tip of the wand. But Dall-E 3 always surprises me with its ability to catch the same details in my prompts.
prompt #2: 3D model video game asset, celestial phoenix with iridescent feathers, serving as a majestic flying companion
Notice how I use keywords like "3D model video game asset" here. I could've left that part out but that would defeat the purpose of my prompt. Even though you know what you want to create, you still have to clearly instruct the model on what it should generate. Don't forget to leave out such a vital instruction when you're prompting.
The iridescent feathers were a nice touch here. I'm kind of tired of nearly all phoenixes being orange or red, so I wanted to create something different. I also love the blue glow in its eye. It looks like a combination of an angel and a phoenix.
prompt #3: 3D rendered isometric Viking fortress atop a snowy mountain, surrounded by swirling snowstorms and guarded by mythical ice giants
This turned out about a hundred times better than I expected. Just look at the level of detail featured in this image. This one looks like it could easily fit in several different video games.
I'm always cautious not to mention too many different details in my prompts, especially when I don't clearly define objects in an image. In this case, I was a bit worried about how the mythical ice giants would be generated. But it turns out that the model did an excellent job here.
prompt #4: sprite sheet, video game assets for a space colony on a distant exoplanet, with futuristic buildings, anti-gravity platforms, and holographic interfaces
Apart from making single assets, you can also use Dall-E 3 to create sprite sheets that contain multiple different assets. All you have to do is instruct the model to create a sprite sheet. It's important not to ask the model to create too many different types of assets in a single image because that might lead to confusion. In this example, I asked it to only create three different types of assets.
The Dall-E 3 model creates all that I asked it to plus some additional assets like robots, spaceships, and planets. I'm quite impressed with how this turned out.
prompt #5: 3D video game asset, ancient crystal skull emitting a mysterious aura, holding untold secrets of a long-lost civilization
There used to be a time when only Midjourney could create mind-blowing 3D designs. That's not the case anymore. The third iteration of the Dall-E 3 generative AI model is better than anyone expected it to be. This is an extraordinary example of what this tool is capable of.
prompt #6: 3D video game asset, sentient alien plant creature with bioluminescent petals and symbiotic insects fluttering around
I have to admit that this one looks weird but in a good way. I didn't know exactly what to expect from a sentient plant, but I know I didn't imagine it to have an eye. All in all, this is an interesting asset that could be used only in certain games. I don't know if it's just me or if the design looks comedic. I'll leave that for you to decide.
prompt #7: isometric style video game asset, underwater city ruins with bioluminescent sea creatures and remnants of an ancient merfolk civilization
While the previous isometric building design prompt featured the "3D" keyword, this one didn't. Without specifying that you want the design to look like a 3D model, the AI model will randomize the outcome and select a different style. In this case, it chose to create the building in a pixel art style. Make sure that you always be specific when you're writing instructions for an AI model.
It's the same as with programming. A computer program will only carry out the instructions you wrote. It can't think. You can apply the same way of thinking here. In fact, interacting with an AI model is a lot like programming except the input is natural language.
prompt #8: sprite sheet, video game assets for a post-apocalyptic wasteland, featuring rusted vehicles, makeshift shelters, and mutated creatures
Some of these vehicles remind me of the first two games in the Fallout series. Although I played every installment, I have to say that the second part is by far my favorite. I played it a year or two after it came out and it left a lasting impression on me. Although the graphics in that game look kind of funny now, it remains one of my favorite video games of all time.
prompt #9: 3D video game asset, ancient runic portal emitting a soft, mesmerizing glow, hinting at interdimensional travel
I've always been fascinated with the idea of portals. I remember watching the original Stargate movie as a child and being blown away. I have also seen portals being featured in a large number of RPGs and I always have fun when I go through them.
prompt #10: 3D rendered isometric haunted mansion with ghostly apparitions, flickering candlelight, and creaking floorboards
I wanted to create another isometric design for this article because I liked the previous two so much. This one is a bit creepy and I feel like it would be perfect for a smartphone video game.
Final Thoughts
What would previously require countless hours of work can now be accomplished in an hour or two. That's how monumental this type of technology is. Most people still aren't caught up on how powerful generative AI models are. That's why you can stay ahead of the curve by embracing this technology.
If you're new to text-to-image AI models, it will likely take a few days for you to get used to them. Nevertheless, I'm confident that you'll be impressed with them. If you're an experienced AI artist and want to focus mainly on making video game assets, it's time to practice and constantly find ways to make your prompts better.
If nothing else, the video game assets you create with the help of Dall-E 3 can serve as great reference images that you can send to a professional designer who's working on your game. This will ensure that you're on the same page regarding how assets in your game should look like.
