Stable Diffusion, ChatGPT, DALL·E, Meshi.ai, Maya, Unity, Photoshop, even Liza from back in the day -- what DIDN'T we talk about this episode? This is a good one – I’m talking with Scott Easley, senior lecturer at USC's Viterbi School of Engineering, and he’s playing around at the bleeding edge of video game visual development.  OH, AND HE WORKED ON ODDWORLD! We dive into the evolution of video games, the integration of AI in game development, and the centrality of humanity in creativity. We then turn to his work as a professor, where Scott emphasizes the role of students in shaping the future of game design and the iterative process of creation. He also walks us through some of his work and techniques; here's a link to the blog post with all of the images: https://www.creativeaipod.com/blog/scott-easley-podcast-images/ Scott is thoughtful, philosophically and technologically adept, AND he liked the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, so you’re gonna love this guy as much as I did. ***** Takeaways * Scott Easley has over 21 years of experience at USC.* He transitioned from the video game industry to academia.* The USC Games program combines engineering and cinema.* AI tools are evolving and impacting game development.* Students are becoming savvier with technology.* Art serves to guide the player's experience in games.* Creativity is essential in the integration of technology.* AI can inspire and assist in the creative process.* The iterative process is crucial in art and game design.* Scott encourages students to explore a wide range of artistic influences. ***** Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Scott Easley and His Journey02:33 The Evolution of Game Development and Education05:14 Embracing AI in Game Design07:53 The Impact of Technology on Creativity10:34 Navigating the Challenges of AI in Education13:05 The Future of AI and Game Development15:40 Inspiration and the Role of AI in Creativity22:58 Exploring the Creative Process in Video Game Development25:22 The Intersection of Art and Technology28:12 Utilizing AI in Character Design31:54 The Iterative Nature of Art38:19 Student Perspectives on AI in Art41:58 The Future of Art and Technology Collaboration