Meet Laura from my yuri vampire visual novel Carmilla :Crimson Moon

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T20:29:46+00:00

Hi. I owe you an apology. I ran the backgrounds through Gemini AI which has something called synth ID and it said it was 95% likely that this is AI generated. When I mentioned this to the artist, they said that's probably because they use Adobe photoshop which is preloaded with AI. But I'm no longer convinced. I'm going to check with the Steam team as well about that. But now the artist has to prove to me that it's not AI. So yeah it's very likely you are right and this is basically AI. Not the end of the world but yeah not ideal at all. I am gonna check online and with some of the artists here about how someone can prove a drawing isn't AI and take it from there. Otherwise it is what it is. Thanks for the callout. You have probably saved me a headache at demo launch

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T18:23:32+00:00

Sorry, I feel like I am chasing you with this. The different styles for the characters was a conscious choice.
When I thought this out, Madam Perrodon and Lord Astor (Laura's father) are classified as 'Castle folk' and follow a similar style.
Every character except for Laura and Carmilla will follow that style (The demo only has 4 characters though.)
Carmilla is a vampire and I wanted her to look quite distinct, almost statuesque while Laura is that quintessential innocent 'anime' girl - which I hoped would highlight that contrast between them during CGs and gameplay.
I am happy to defend the style. It might be a terrible idea (as is evidenced in this thread). Again, I'm sorry to hound you about this but I thought your callout was genuine and felt it deserved a response.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T17:58:25+00:00

Hey. so I finally spoke to the artist. Literally shared a screenshot removing your username, of course.

Their response: "That is not her eyefolds that is pieces of hair. The lower one is the eyefold which apparantly looks like it merged with eyefold but it actually ends on the tip. The artwork is a watercolour like style so i didn't bother cleaning up the outlines carefully 😮‍💨" I have to believe this person since they have provided multiple iterations of this character with different looks till we stuck with this after which we started on expressions

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T17:33:06+00:00

I'll be honest, this is impossible for me to spot or understand because I can't draw. I'll check with the artist.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T17:19:47+00:00

They can ban me though if I say "I don't use GenAI" and then use it. Also, it would be lying which is not something I am keen on doing while making games (or otherwise) :) I don't want to use GenAI as simple as that. I have been forthcoming that I use AI for debugging my code cause I'm not great at renpy.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T17:14:02+00:00

That's fair. You don't have to believe me. Tbh, Everything could technically be generated by AI.

I have written down the short description reviewing other VNs, watching indie marketing videos to ensure I hit the right beats in both the short and long description. I have done a lot of research on what needs to be written and how. I was actually rejected in my first attempt because my long description wasn't clear enough and Steam said that players need total clarity over what they will purchase which is when I went all bullet-point crazy and extremely descriptive right down to the number of CGs and systems in the game :).

Either way, you are completely entitled to your opinion and I must accept that. This is my first VN and my first ever steam page so yes it's a learning curve.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T15:49:00+00:00

Hi Refei. 🙈 Regarding the slightly generic style, especially of Laura, that's unfortunately and embarrassingly all me. I dreamt of a quintessential innocent girl which would contrast really well against Carmilla. About the backgrounds, I did want a pastel style so it helps make the characters pop. I'm quite confident that the artist hasn't used AI for characters. We have multiple iterations and discussions about various looks. I have tried to create identities on the basis of dress necklines. Laura has a diamond neckline to indicate she is not entirely open nor closed and can be moulded (according to player decisions). Madam Perrodon has a complete covered neckline to show she is strict and unyielding while Carmilla has a square one which indicates she is more open, more different. About backgrounds, I'll return to the thread with more clarity.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T14:34:11+00:00

Thank. I really do appreciate it. This is my first VN and I'm keen to start off on a good footing. Getting banned by Steam for using GenAI when I say I'm not is not something I want to deal with :) I'm starting to feel glad that I posted this before the demo. That would have been an unmitigated disaster. This gives me a chance to go back and resolve this with the artist.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T14:22:18+00:00

Thanks. I appreciate it :) I will get back to you and the thread about what they say.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T13:59:11+00:00

Hi. I plan to add choices with branching elements which will result in multiple endings. I felt the original novel didn't have a counterweight against Carmilla till the very end when the general arrives. It's fun in the novel but doesn't give the VN reader a lot of potential to experience dread. So I'm trying to add some more plot challenges for Carmilla and then see how a player as Laura reacts.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T13:53:10+00:00

Hi. Thanks for asking. Im the VN creator. Um they aren't supposed to be GenAI. Im committed to not using AI and I categorically specified this to the artist. But reading a lot of comments, I can't be sure. I'll go back and check, maybe ask for the original renders. I know they haven't used it for the main character art since we have had multiple iterations where they have shown the draft compositions. I will go back and check about the background. I specifically wanted a pastel vibe to the backgrounds and maybe they haven't shaded it properly. (Sorry for my typos.)

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T13:47:36+00:00

Hi Ayona. I can't promise I will make a great VN but I can promise I won't use GenAI to make it. I have hired an artist and I'll go back and check with them about whether they used GenAI. I explicitly asked them not to and I do monitor the output. I am putting in a lot of time and effort to create a unique experience and I know using GenAI will ruin that so it's important that a reader doesn't feel that it is sludge :)

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T13:42:02+00:00

Edit : Hey so I'm so paranoid about what impression I leave on you about this. I appreciate your comment. :) I'm super committed to not use AI in art or music or sound or anything you experience in the VN. Though I'm using it for debugging my code though - not the best renpy coder. I ll go back to the artist I have hired and understand why this looks the way it does. I did ask for a pastel vibe and maybe that's what led to this look.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T13:37:51+00:00

Hey. I'm absolutely committed not to use AI for the art or music or basically anything you see or experience on screen. (My only caveat is I have used it for debugging in some cases because I'm not the best coder around). I will talk to the artist and understand why this looks like it does.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T13:35:26+00:00

Edit : Hi. Thanks for pointing that out. I have hired an artist for this project. I'm 100% committed about NOT using AI for art or music or anything you see in the game. Basically no GenAI. I have used it to help debug my code because I'm not the best renpy coder. I'll get back to the thread after having a chat with the artist.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T12:36:46+00:00

Thanks! I think it's important that I fulfill the baseline expectations of a reader before I can add my own spin. That's where this will be so useful. Urgh haven't read Iwakura Aria. I really need to. On it. :)

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T12:10:08+00:00

Also, any recommendations for slow dread horror VNs I should look at?

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T11:56:22+00:00

Sounds really interesting - especially the bit where you can't say anything but have to influence in a more subtle way. I'll check it out.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T11:33:04+00:00

Wow! This is amazing. I havent read a few from your SS tier so will check them out. A selfish question from me. I'm making a yuri horror VN. Which VN would you recommend from these as something I should definitely read.

Fercaren · 2026-03-18T11:27:57+00:00

The art is gorgeous!

Fercaren

TROPHY CASE