A Note About the Art and Voices

[p]A Note About the Art and Voices in Jaws of Hell and The Hive Pandemic[/p][p]As the solo developer behind Jaws of Hell and The Hive Pandemic, I want to be fully transparent about how these worlds were made.[/p][p]These projects blend the talents of many—real artists, AI tools, and a whole lot of long nights at the keyboard and piano. I’m a musician by trade, and some of the music and voiceovers you’ll hear in these games are my own. Others were created with the help of AI tools that allowed me to extend my vision further than my own hands could reach—tools that helped narrate, sing, and visualize cutscenes when I was working alone.[/p][p]I also had the incredible privilege of working with amazing artists and studios who contributed to the look and feel of these games. Tragically, one of our lead artists and my close friend passed away during development. Their work lives on in these games. After their passing, I leaned on AI and my own skills in Blender to keep going. I can hold my own—my Blender work is comparable to some indie games like Schedule 1—but I believed the game would be better with a tapestry of styles from multiple creators and studios.[/p][p]There’s been a lot of debate about AI and art, and I understand the fear and frustration. But what concerns me most isn’t the tools—it’s the system behind it all.[/p][p]The real problem isn’t artists or AI. It’s the way the industry is structured. Major studios and corporations pay their CEOs hundreds of times more than the people actually creating the work. We leave democracy at the door of every workplace, trading it for top-down, dictatorial structures. Artists and developers deserve better.[/p][p]I believe in a different future for games—a future with open pay structures, shared decision-making, and real safety for those doing the work. A workplace where collaboration isn’t just a buzzword, but the foundation. That’s what I’m building at Starving Lama Games.[/p][p]So yes, this game was made with help from AI. Yes, I paid artists through open markets. And yes, I believe both can exist together if we fix the system they’re trapped in.[/p][p]Thanks for being a part of this journey. And if you’re reading this and you’re struggling—whether with creativity, purpose, or just getting through the day—please know you are not alone.[/p][p]We’re building something better. One story at a time.[/p][p]– William
Starving Lama Games[/p]