I’m a solo dev like you (although I will team up with others for some projects). I am also a software engineer. I am, like most in my profession, forced to use AI as part of my day-to-day workload. When I log off from work, it’s actually joyful to be writing code again, solving problems, making things. rather than instructing, and approving. I don’t want to be a QA guy, I want to be an engineer.
I am not an artistically gifted person, but, I won’t use AI for assets either. There are incredibly skilful and talented people on Itch, Deviant Art, OGA, and Fiverr. People far more creative and talented than I am, and just like I code for the love of it, they create for the love of creating. They deserve to have their work respected and used. I buy more assets than I will ever use. I pay for things I like the look of, just to support the creator. I probably spend more time than I should scrolling through assets here and if I can’t find any that fit the aesthetic I want, I will commission, or kit-bash.
That’s reality of solo dev. You either learn the skills you don’t have, find someone willing to lend them, or pay someone for them. I believe in supporting the community I am part of. Nothing annoys me more then low effort AI slop being pushed at me, forcing real creators out of view.
