A mechanical-learning engineer has developed an AI that allows Pokémon fans to generate their very own pocket monsters.
Nokémon is an image-generating artificial intelligence that can read a simple description inputted by the user to stitch together a brand new Pokémon. Liam Eloie published a blog post in January that details the process of creating the web application. He makes use of an artificial intelligence program called DALL-E, which he fine-tuned using a dataset that included information from existing Pokémon games. "This included an image of the Pokémon and a text description on the types as well as if the Pokémon is a starter, legendary, and/or shiny," he noted while also thanking Max Woolf, a data scientist from Buzzfeed, for inspiring him to incorporate DALL-E into his own project.
Eloie showed off 30 generated Pokémon and encouraged fans to submit names for them. He also stated Nokémon is still being developed and even elaborated on his ideas for the future of the application, which included Nokémon being able to evolve. Feedback buttons were even added to help improve the quality of the generated fake Pokémon.
Liam Eloie has been developing Nokémon for a few years and has expressed that the process has been filled with trial and error. The initial version of the application produced Pokémon that the creator described as "utterly Gastly." This version was created at a time when image generation was flourishing thanks to the creation of Generative Adversarial Networks. One year later, Eloie decided to revamp the project using ProGAN, a type of generative adversarial network pioneered at NVIDIA. This new and improved Nokémon produced clearer outlines of Pokémon but lacked detail. After a few more years of progress, Eloie refined Nokémon using DALL-E to be what it is today.
Last month, Pokémon Legends: Arceus was released. Many Pokémon in this game received redesigns to accommodate for the new region but a common concern for people is whether the developers are running out of ideas for new designs. "How long will it be before The Pokémon Company run out of ideas for creating Pokémon?" Eloi e posited. "Well, given the state of image generation, it is now trivial to come up with an endless number of creative and wonderful creatures."
The Pokémon Company will air a new Pokémon Presents on Feb. 27 to show fans what's next for the franchise.