**Warning This Post Contains AI** Real talk because AI is going to become inescapable soon. What are your feelings on AI art for solo devs? This is the first thing I decided to make just to see if it could do what I need. I have more thoughts I'll share below but please tell me what you think.

Happy New Year, Butterflies! It's crazy to think this is the year you all will be able to play Neon Rapture for the first time! Follow @nerdydudegames.bsky.social to keep updated on when the first pre-alpha will be released. For now: yellow wizkid #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

After a long sickness and a short holiday, I'm back! 🤓 Enemies will drop Tcite when defeated corresponding to their element type. If you're looking for a specific upgrade, hunt specific enemies. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

Next up: the blue wizkid's animation and spell. Each of these spells reflect the element type associated with that color. Green is lazer, blue is spread, red is burst, and yellow is static. This goes the same for the player's weapons. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

Here's the full animation for the green wizkid. In the lore, humans are the only species that can't access magic directly. Instead, we need to use Tcite. Even a small gemstone on the end of a wand is enough to channel a spell. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

Another animated machine enemy. In Neon Rapture creatures like this are given a form of life through the magic of a mineral called Tcite. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

Take a glance at some environmental animation tests for #ScreenShotSaturday. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

In an arcane war, enemies can appear on the battlefield at a moments notice. Keep an eye out for portals like this... and anything that may have come through it. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

You might have noticed that certain enemies look similar or have a theme. There are enemy "groups" that you will encounter in the various biomes of the world. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

Happy #screenshotsaturday! Here's some updated environment visuals. I've been trucking through getting my project built again. Most of the actual game systems aren't in place but I had enough to put this preview together. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

Another one of my early enemies. I had always wanted his weapon to be a halberd, but at this small scale it's kind of hard to convey properly. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

In keeping with the theme of early designs: Some times I just draw random squiggles and try to make something from them. This snake/bird with scythe arms was the product of one of those exercises. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

As a challenge (and a bit of fun) I whipped up mock box art. It might look familiar, #ifyouknowyouknow. My first goal outside development is getting some quality promo art commissioned. This is why I draw with tiny squares. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

Turns out the engine bug I had experienced last week persisted and I'm going to have to start over. I think the issue sprang from trying to import old objects from previous builds. So a playable version is ever further off than I had hoped. Luckily I still have plenty of awesome gifs to share.

This is the first enemy I designed for #NeonRapture. My inspiration (especially in the first sprite) was "what if Shyguy but evil?" They kind of evolved from there to an amorphous mass seemingly controlled by rough stone disks that look suspiciously like faces... #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame

This was one of the first enemy designs I came up with. I always had the idea of living machines being a part of the games world. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

I want you to have a little magic tonight. Here are the spell effects for the wizkid enemies. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

Apart from changing the property of your bullets, there are also a number of upgrades for both you and your weapons. These can be found in raid or purchased from vending machines at the bunker. #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

Had a good day of progress, mostly UI graphics. Anyone in the mood for an Upgrade? #pixelart #indiedev #indiegame #neonrapture

Since I shared the only 2 pics I have of the new build yesterday, I'll give you a look back for #screenshotsaturday. This earlier prototype is still playable at nerdydudegames.itch.io.

Here's a treat for Halloween: Two screen shots of some early test work for #NeonRapture I am still a long time away from anything playable but I've already gotten so much support here, I felt like I should share something big. #pixelart #indiedev

Happy Halloween all you beautiful butterflies! #pixelart #indiedev #neonrapture

I just found this while browsing old files. I know I am way late to this party but I wasn't posting when this trend hit. So, here's my Peach redesign. #pixelart

You see this creeping up to you on Halloween night, wyd? #pixelart #indiedev #neonrapture

PSA from the Nerdy Dude Always back up your work in progress. Instead of losing my project due to an engine crashing bug, I only lost a couple of hours because I remembered to back up my files today. #indiedev

I'm not sure about this one but I think it's best if we all just back away slowly. #pixelart #indiedev #neonrapture

Just finished my first small enemy sprite sheet. 24 creatures, six of each color. Enemy variety is a big deal to me and each of these guys will behave differently in game. #pixelart #indiedev #neonrapture

I'm trying not to post too much all at once because I'd run out of fun gifs to share but I had to post this little guy. That's definitely not a power up. #pixelart #indiedev #neonrapture

I just remembered that hashtags exist. Have another creepy crawly to celebrate! #pixelart #indiedev #neonrapture

For the start of Halloween week I'm sharing two of my spooky/creepiest designs. The first is kind of like a bat... well, it has wings. The second is just a classic floating eye.

Here's a fairly new enemy design. I'm calling them wizkids for now. Each one will cast a different spell associated with their element type.

Here's the animated version of my profile banner. It was hard picking a single frame but I had to go with the green dude. Green is my favorite color.

Finally making the move because I finally have something to share. Hello butterflies.