itch.io

I think there is a difference between using a model trained on a bunch of artists with similar styles, and basing it on just one who worked hard to create his own, distinct art. I don't want to open a debate on AI here, but basically I try to follow my own rules and morality. Anyways, as for the consistency, it's definitely a priority, that's the whole reason for why I use my own base sketches while genning, and that's why I will be converting old pictures to the new style over the next few updates.

As for hiring the artist, yea, obviously, money is an issue. I don't plan to spend my own funds on this project, it's a simple hobby for me, not a job or even something that I would want to turn into a job. That said, I don't really need the money it makes either, what some people already paid me I will probably use on sprites and sfx for the project or maybe take less hours at my day job to be able to work on it more regularly, one way or another it's gonna get invested back into it. If it ever becomes profitable enough, I would want to hire an artist to at least help with more complicated stuff. But again, I don't want to monetize it or anything so I doubt it will ever get to that level, thus AI.