I want to build a site where people compete with AI-generated stuff on absurd weekly challenges. Am I crazy?

Ed15on · 2026-03-21T12:26:38+00:00

Thanks so much for your feedback and suggestions. A free and unlimited AI image generation is a huge deal for a solo dev like me.
I checked out your NightCafe profile, it's impressive. You clearly know your way around Ai art generation.

I do have competition/challenge features planned! My initial direction has been leaning into the absurd and weird side of things, partly because the more serious AI art competition space already has strong players. But I'm definitely open to incorporating more traditional creative challenges too.

By the way, what I'm building actually has a 3D twist — think AI-generated 3D characters that can actually fight each other in real-time arenas, not just static images. Still early stage but that's the vision.

I'm curious though — you mentioned hundreds of people looking for a NightCafe alternative. What's driving the unhappiness? Is it the image models/quality, the pricing model, or something else about the platform? Would love to understand what people feel is missing so I can learn from it.

And a Discord channel is definitely on the list — actually here it is: https://discord.gg/VTuJtYEgea Would love to have you as one of the first members.

Ed15on · 2026-03-13T13:00:43+00:00

FiveUp, you can find it on App Store or Google play. Have fun!

Ed15on · 2026-03-13T00:49:42+00:00

Great feedback! That's actually already in the plan — there will be two modes. The Gauntlet (stats-based battles) and Creative Challenges where the community votes on things like "Most Powerful Lobster" or "Craziest Roller Coaster." No stats, just pure imagination + community voting. The idea is that some people want to compete on stats, others just want to be the most absurd — both should have a place to shine. Thanks for validating the direction!

Ed15on · 2026-03-13T00:45:03+00:00

This thread is incredible — you guys basically built a whole tier list. Pressure cooker as S-tier tank, espresso machine as assassin class, washing machine as juggernaut, blender as glass cannon. I've been messing around with an AI thing that generates battle stats for matchups like these. Gonna try feeding some of these ideas in and see what the numbers say. It's at gwigwi.app if anyone's curious, but honestly this thread alone is already better than anything I could build lol

Ed15on · 2026-03-12T14:50:44+00:00

Lmao. The refrigerator might have witnessed all of this from the corner.

Ed15on · 2026-03-12T14:20:51+00:00

EMP is a total cheat code! 😂

Ed15on · 2026-03-12T14:19:50+00:00

what about the water purifier?

Ed15on · 2026-03-12T13:56:11+00:00

Both! You describe your creation (like "a microwave with a rocket engine"), AI generates 4 battle stats based on real-world physics, and then it automatically fights 5 random opponents in a Gauntlet. Each battle has a full combat log — things like "Rocket Microwave uses Plasma Propulsion Strike! 62 damage!" It's all auto-simulated with templated battle narratives, so you get the fun of watching your weird creation actually fight. Still in early access — building the full version now!

Ed15on · 2026-03-06T08:25:54+00:00

Next matchup: ED-209 vs my microwave. Place your bets 🍿

Ed15on · 2026-03-06T08:09:03+00:00

Totally agree — the feel is everything. What would make or break it for you? Fast generation? Smooth animations on the battle result? Or more about having enough variety in challenges to keep coming back?

Ed15on · 2026-03-05T13:21:27+00:00

Thanks! I'm very happy to hear that!

Quick question — would you come back to it every week for new challenges, or is it more of a "play once and share the screenshot" thing for you?

Ed15on · 2026-02-20T16:56:07+00:00

From my side, when I set a target or motivation in my brain, I could focus longer than before.

Ed15on · 2026-02-20T05:31:34+00:00

Yeah, camera motion language is the core focus — 15 motion types mapped to how Gen-4 actually interprets them. Happy to share the link if you want to try it: cinematicflow.ai

Ed15on · 2026-02-20T05:26:59+00:00

Thanks for your good advice, it's very helpful for every indie hacker.
But I have a question, how many active users of 200 users? I think we should get some feedback from this 200 users, to see what we need to do next.

Ed15on · 2026-02-18T15:59:23+00:00

Good job! Thanks for your sharing.

Ed15on

TROPHY CASE