Our previous chapter dealt with one of the most exciting aspects of creating a science fiction world – alien races. And this chapter is equally exciting from that perspective. From a storyteller’s point of view, here’s where things start to get a lot more exciting. Your protagonist will probably spend time in populated areas, interacting with the locals. Perhaps their adventures will take them to multiple cities or even planets. 

In my own fiction, I like to conjure up a great deal of detail for each place my protagonist visits. Our own Earth cities contain numerous areas and districts each with their own vibe, look, and culture. So, too, should fictional cities. And this goes doubly for video games. Far too many of them condense a city down into a place the size of a small village or the equivalent of just a few city blocks. That’s not what Earth cities are like. And that’s not what imaginary cities should be like. I understand that there’s a limit to creating fictional universes in games, books, and TV shows, but with AI at our disposal, it’s now possible to add the very detail we’ve always missed. Imagine playing a video game where a city is actually a city, with thousands of streets, buildings, parks, shops, and all the things we take for granted in the real world. A game where it would take days to walk from one side to the other, just like it would in real life.

Now is a good time to consider the geopolitical situation on your fictional planet. Is the world divided into countries, blocs, or regions? Or is it singularly united under one governing body?

For the sake of demonstration, I’m going to break Lira down into countries. Here’s an example of how to do that.

Lira is a thriving, peaceful planet twice the size of Earth, with a single moon, Veil. It’s part of the Laniakea Supercluster and forms the Amity Ring with nearby habitable planets Zyre, Hela, and Tora, fostering trade and cultural exchanges.

Lira is divided into several culturally and politically different countries, each with their own governing bodies.

Please provide me with a comma-separated list of names of the countries on Lira. Names should not use any English words or terms whatsoever.

Astrana, Veloria, Tundrex, Ilserine, Orlion, Ekrubis, Nalethia, Miradorn, Quirellis, Sylphane

Note that passing the prompt and output back into the language model (or a simple +++ in lex) will encourage it to continue to generate names on that list. We have about two hundred countries on Earth, so if you’d like your own fictional planet to mimic ours, feel free to generate hundreds of names. For the purposes of this demonstration, I’ll stick with the first ten.

If Earth were divided into just ten countries, the whole of Europe would be one, the whole of Africa would be one, the whole of South America would be one. And, well, you get the picture.

Note that if you don’t break your fictional planet into countries, the AI will generally create a planet-wide capital city. If Earth had a capital city, what would it be? New York? Beijing? London? Tokyo? Tokyo. Yes, I’d like to think it’d be Tokyo.

Anyways, let’s dig a little deeper.

Lira features five unique continents: Zirah, home to the luminous Andara Forest and sparkling Crystalline Spire Range; Velnas, known for the Shrouded Plains and the snowy Nosk Volcano; Ero, an archipelago with the striking Kivu Arch and the Sea of Talir; Sion, culturally rich with the Sahiri Desert and the musically enigmatic Yavi Rainforest; and Orbix, with its Tesserine Lakes that mirror the sky.

For each of the listed countries, write a paragraph explaining where the country is located and what type of government it has. Also provide some brief comments about that country’s culture and customs.

Astrana is nestled on the eastern shores of Zirah, governed by a federated council representing its diverse provinces. The country is celebrated for its intricate tapestry of music and dance that intertwines with daily life, and the luminous Andara Forest within its borders is a source of inspiration for its rich artistic traditions.

. . .

The model did indeed go on to detail all ten countries. Here’s a summary.

Please summarize the above succinctly making sure to include facts about location and government type for each of the ten countries.

Astrana is an eastern Zirah country with a federative council government famous for a cultural focus on music, dance, and arts. Veloria, a southern Velnas nation with a monarchy, integrates sustainable technologies and cherishes historical customs. Tundrex, located in northern Orbix, is a stratocracy valuing discipline and team sports. Ilserine, in Sion's heartland, embodies a technocratic government where science and philosophy thrive. Orlion, on Ero's cliffs, operates as a constitutional diarchy, emphasizing shipbuilding and maritime traditions. Ekrubis lies between Sion and Orbix, governed by a cooperative clan assembly and maintains a culture valuing ancestry and traditional sports. Nalethia is a western coastal Zirah region with an anarcho-syndicalist structure, focused on community and democratic arts initiatives. Miradorn, in eastern Velnas, thrives under a meritocratic council prioritizing educational and intellectual prowess. Quirellis, on Ero's western peninsula, leads with a symbiotic council that honors ecological harmony. Sylphane, among Orbix's floating isles, benefits from an aerocracy with a lifestyle attuned to air travel and wind energy.

Now that we’ve defined some countries, we can ask the AI to generate interesting statistics. Here’s one example.

Yrinthi, Vesperians, Talcorians, Glireans, Oraquill, Nevith, Humans, and Sylphine are the eight most common races coexisting on Lira, in no particular order. 

For each of Lira’s ten countries, please provide me with a breakdown of racial representation.

Astrana: Predominantly inhabited by Humans and Nevith, with a significant minority of Yrinthi, known for their passion for the performing arts.

Veloria: Host to a large population of Vesperians and Glireans, who revere the nation's ancient traditions whilst embracing modern technology.

Tundrex: Largely occupied by Talcorians and Humans, united in their love for competitive team sports and a culture of military discipline.

Ilserine: Favored by a diverse mix of Glireans, Nevith, and Oraquill scholars, attracted by the country’s focus on scientific advancement and philosophical debate.

Orlion: Predominantly Oraquill and Humans, with a well-established community of Vesperians, reflecting the nation's maritime heritage and shipbuilding expertise.

Ekrubis: Dominated by Glireans and Yrinthi, who blend their deep respect for ancestry with a fervent spirit for regional sports.

Nalethia: Mainly inhabited by Humans and Sylphine, with a notable presence of Nevith, all contributing to a robust culture of artistic expression and community-driven governance.

Miradorn: Home to a majority of Talcorians and Nevith intellectuals, enriching the meritocratic ethos of the nation through academia and innovation.

Quirellis: Primarily Sylphine and Humans, along with a minor concentration of Oraquill, who collectively prize the balance of nature and contribute to the country's dedication to ecological sustainability.

Sylphane: Inhabited chiefly by Sylphine and Yrinthi, with smaller demographics of Human and Vesperian denizens, living in harmony above the clouds with a culture steeped in aeronautics and renewable wind energy.

Let’s now create some cities. Since we created countries on our fictional planet, it makes sense to create cities on a country-by-country basis. Ilserine sounds like an interesting country, so let’s start with that one.

Lira is a thriving, peaceful planet twice the size of Earth, with a single moon, Veil. It’s part of the Laniakea Supercluster and forms the Amity Ring with nearby habitable planets Zyre, Hela, and Tora, fostering trade and cultural exchanges.

Lira is divided into several culturally and politically different countries, each with their own governing bodies.

One such country is Ilserine, which lies in the heartland of Sion, under the rule of a technocratic oligarchy led by the most skilled and knowledgeable citizens. Ilserine is renowned for its innovative approaches to science and philosophy, with the Sahiri Desert’s vast expanse providing both a clime for contemplation and a testing ground for technological advancements. Its festivals are a blend of intellectual symposiums and traditional storytelling, reflecting its people’s value for both history and progress.

Please provide me with a comma-separated list of the seven largest cities in Ilserine. Follow that with a paragraph for each city that includes information about the city’s location within the country, common culture and customs, and noteable commerce.

Elion, Siberos, Mirene, Quantara, Veilgate, Teris, Calidora

Elion is the capital and largest city, situated on the banks of the Serene River. The city is a hub for politics and education, known for its revered University of Sion and bustling river trade. Culturally, Elion is a melting pot where the traditional festival of Lights converges with modern-day tech fairs.

Siberos stands at the foothills of the Didact ranges and is the industrial heart of Ilserine. The city is famous for its steel manufacturing and the annual Sky Games, which celebrate the technological advancements in aviation.

Mirene, nestled on the edge of the Sahiri Desert, serves as the gateway to the unknown. It's renowned for its rich archaeological sites and is a center for historians and explorers. Mirene thrives on hospitality, welcoming travelers with open-air markets and desert safaris.

Quantara is known for its grand ports and its role as the main maritime gateway for international trade. The city's culture revolves around the sea, with festivals like the Aquatic Carnivale highlighting the importance of marine life and seafaring traditions.

Veilgate owes its name to its proximity to the sole moon Veil and is famed for its astronomical observatories. It's a city of scholars and dreamers, where the annual Meteor Shower Gala celebrates the celestial dance above.

Teris, while not as large as Veilgate, is significant for its agricultural innovations. Situated in the verdant plains of the Gardena Province, Teris is a breadbasket to the nation and host to the Harvest Festival, exemplifying the fusion of agrotechnology and age-old farming practices.

Calidora lies at the southern coast, buzzing with tourism and famed for the Crystal Beaches. Known for its thriving arts scene, the city’s seaside amphitheaters and galleries reflect the artistic spirit of its inhabitants and attract patrons of the arts from across Lira.

Let’s ask the AI to give us some additional facts about these cities.

Please provide me with information about each city’s climate.

Elion experiences a mild, temperate climate with distinct seasons, conducive to its vibrant education and political activities. The city enjoys warm summers and cool winters, with occasional rain that sustains its river ecosystem and lush urban gardens.

Siberos has a colder, alpine climate due to its location at the base of the Didact ranges. The city endures chilly winters with heavy snowfall, which is perfect for the Sky Games, while summers are mild and pleasant, ideal for industrial production.

. . .

Yrinthi, Vesperians, Talcorians, Glireans, Oraquill, Nevith, Humans, and Sylphine are the eight most common races coexisting on Lira, in no particular order. 

For each of the described cities, please provide me with a rough breakdown of racial representation.

Elion is predominantly inhabited by Humans and Yrinthi, with significant minorities of Sylphine and Vesperians intermingled throughout its diverse neighborhoods. The University of Sion boasts a substantial number of Glireans and Oraquill among its academic staff.

Siberos's workforce is largely composed of resilient Talcorians and industrious Humans, with a small but integral community of Nevith engineers who have been instrumental in refining the city's steel production methods.

. . .

Now that we’ve created some cities, let’s ask the AI to imagine districts, landmarks, travel hubs, spaceports, industry, and the like. This is the point where we can start to create visualizations. Again, we’ll focus on one city, Elion, the capital of Ilserine.

Lira is a thriving, peaceful planet twice the size of Earth, with a single moon, Veil. It’s part of the Laniakea Supercluster and forms the Amity Ring with nearby habitable planets Zyre, Hela, and Tora, fostering trade and cultural exchanges.

Lira is divided into several culturally and politically different countries, each with their own governing bodies.

One such country is Ilserine, which lies in the heartland of Sion, under the rule of a technocratic oligarchy led by the most skilled and knowledgeable citizens. Ilserine is renowned for its innovative approaches to science and philosophy, with the Sahiri Desert’s vast expanse providing both a clime for contemplation and a testing ground for technological advancements. Its festivals are a blend of intellectual symposiums and traditional storytelling, reflecting its people’s value for both history and progress.

Elion is the capital and largest city in Ilserine. It is situated on the banks of the Serene River. The city is a hub for politics and education, known for its revered University of Sion and bustling river trade. Culturally, Elion is a melting pot where the traditional festival of Lights converges with modern-day tech fairs.

Elion experiences a mild, temperate climate with distinct seasons, conducive to its vibrant education and political activities. The city enjoys warm summers and cool winters, with occasional rain that sustains its river ecosystem and lush urban gardens.

Elion is predominantly inhabited by Humans and Yrinthi, with significant minorities of Sylphine and Vesperians intermingled throughout its diverse neighborhoods. The University of Sion boasts a substantial number of Glireans and Oraquill among its academic staff.

The sprawling city of Elion is composed of numerous districts. Please provide me with a comma-separated list of the seven largest districts in Elion. Follow that with a paragraph for each district that includes information about its location within the city, vibe, look, and feel, and notable landmarks.

The seven largest districts in Elion are: Sonaris District, Keldrae Heights, Tillian Quarter, Vanei Axiom, Echo Promenade, Lyrandar Enclave, Draysil Arch.

Time for some Midjourney, methinks.

The Sonaris District, located in the northeastern section of Elion, boasts sleek, modern architecture interwoven with historical sites. Known for its glittering skyline, the area hums with an energetic vibe, filled with trendy cafes and advanced tech startups. Notable landmarks include the Crystal Spire and the historical Monument of Harmony, symbolizing peace and innovation.

Midjourney prompt: a financial hub in a busy offworld spaceport; rainy night scene; city; eye level shot, Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera –style raw –ar 3:2 –v 6.0

Through extensive trial-and-error, I found that “in an offworld spaceport” was a good way to inject futuristic and high-tech elements into AI-generated images of places in Midjourney 5.2 without losing photorealism. The keywords “futuristic” and “high-tech” tended to shift older versions of Midjourney towards the creation of images that look like paintings. This is, I suppose, to be expected given we probably have more paintings of futuristic stuff than actual photos. This workaround isn’t necessary in Midjourney 6.0, but the old prompts still work to a varying degree.

Keldrae Heights is perched atop the rolling hills of the southwestern part of the city, providing panoramic views over Elion. The district exudes an air of old-world charm blended with luxury, its streets lined with upscale boutiques and manors. A popular landmark of Keldrae Heights is the Grand Observatory, allowing stargazers to marvel at distant constellations and local celestial events.

Midjourney prompt: boutique shops and restaurants in an offworld spaceport; drizzly outdoor night scene; city; busy; eye level shot. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera –ar 3:2 –v 6.0 

The Tillian Quarter is nestled along the southern bank of the Serene River, characterized by its grand classical architecture and orderly parks. This district is predominantly residential, where affluent families and governmental elites reside. The Tillian Quarter is also known for its prestigious educational institutions, including several of the city's most illustrious primary schools and academies. The Quarter's Central Plaza is a hive of activity, with its opulent fountain and weekend markets drawing in crowds from across the city.

Midjourney prompt: a serene park adjacent to a busy offworld space port; rainy day scene; hyperdetailed photography, photorealistic. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera –ar 3:2 –v 6.0 

Vanei Axiom, situated in the city's center, is the hub of innovation and the sciences. This district's clinical, futuristic look is dominated by laboratories, research facilities, and the headquarters of tech conglomerates. The widely esteemed Axiom Data Center serves as the cerebral cortex of Elion, with its supercomputers contributing to interplanetary research efforts.

Midjourney prompt: artistic neon sculptures in an offworld spaceport; rainy night scene; city; eye level view; Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera –ar 3:2 –stylize 250 –v 6.0

A good way to get a decent image from a Midjourney prompt such as the ones detailed in this guide is to run them with –repeat 5. With twenty available creations, there’s a chance you might find one good shot amongst them. That is especially the case with this prompt, which creates a lot of weird and wonderful stuff.

The architecture in Vanei Axiom is characterized by geometric precision, fulfilling both aesthetic and functional roles, complemented by green spaces that punctuate the metallic landscapes. Bioluminescent trees line the boulevards, illuminating the pathways at night and showcasing the district's commitment to eco-friendly practices.

Midjourney prompt: glowing trees in an offworld spaceport district; rainy night scene; shops, neon lights; city; hyperdetailed photography, photorealistic. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera –ar 3:2 –v 6.0

“Bioluminescent trees” in a Midjourney 5.2 prompt guaranteed generation of large mushrooms. This was fixed in version 6.0. You can now tell it to make bioluminescent, or glowing trees and you’ll actually get… trees!

Echo Promenade is a bustling commercial hub in the northwest, renowned for its vibrant nightlife and extravagant shopping destinations. The district's look combines high-end luxury with historic charm, featuring preserved old townhouses that host boutiques and artisanal eateries. Key landmarks include the expansive Echo Mall and the lively Bazaar of Wonders, which offers exotic goods from across the galaxy.

Midjourney prompt: a busy street full of clubs, bars and nighclubs in a high-tech, futuristic offworld spaceport. Signs are written in an alien typeface. eye level shot, night scene, Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera –ar 3:2 –v 6.0 –stylize 200 –style raw 

Lyrandar Enclave, set along the eastern waterfront, is a serene, upscale neighborhood revered by nature enthusiasts for its pristine beaches and marina. With its elegant seaside villas and tranquil landscaped gardens, the district's vibe is one of relaxation and luxury. Among its notable landmarks is the Sea Whisper Pavilion, famous for orchestral performances that harness the ocean's acoustics.

Midjourney prompt: a large offworld spaceport on a beach; night scene; city; eye level shot; Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera –style raw –stylize 250 –ar 3:2 –v 6.0

To be honest, both day and night scenes with this prompt worked well. This was the best shot out of all of them by a very small margin.

The Draysil Arch stands proudly in the industrial northeast sector of Elion, characterized by its impressive fusion of heavy industry and refined culture. This district is the heart of manufacturing and craftsmanship, but it doesn't lack sophistication or beauty, as evident in its Artisan Alley, where skilled crafters display their works. Draysil Arch is also home to the historic Steel Harmony Forge, a landmark celebrating the district's legacy of metallurgy and invention.

Midjourney prompt: ​​A futuristic, high-tech industrial district on an alien planet. A magnificent archway sits amongst heavy industry and the big city. wide shot, night scene. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera –ar 3:2 –v 6.0 –stylize 200 –style raw 

I found that asking for buildings from the game Starcraft encouraged Midjourney 5.2 to produce decently photorealistic images of really out there scifi stuff. A prompt asking for “a starcraft nexus in an offworld spaceport; rainy day scene; city”. Swap “nexus” for stargate, dark shrine, twilight council, command center, and cybernetics core for similarly interesting creations. Those tricks don’t work too well with version 6.0. In fact, with version 6.0, most of my 5.2 prompts broke. That’s because, as Midjourney and other art models get better, there’s less need to trick them. This 6.0 prompt is much more literal and worked just fine.

While creating districts, our large language model also made mention of landmarks – because we asked it to. Midjourney could also be used to illustrate those. I’ll leave that as an exercise for the reader.

Here’s a summary of those districts that we’ll use in the next chapter.

Please provide me with a brief summary of the districts in Elion.

The Sonaris District is Elion’s northeastern beacon of innovation, buzzing with a vibrant atmosphere and home to the Crystal Spire. Keldrae Heights offers hilltop luxury and the esteemed Grand Observatory. The Tillian Quarter, with its classical architecture and prestigious schools, lines the Serene River's south. The heart of Elion's research, Vanei Axiom, boasts the Axiom Data Center amid its futuristic landscape. Echo Promenade livens up the northwest with shopping havens and a dynamic nightlife, while the Lyrandar Enclave promises serene luxury by the sea to the east. Lastly, Draysil Arch melds industrial prowess with cultural richness in the city's industrious northeast.

We can, of course, detail our city even further by asking the AI to provide names of streets, shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs in each district. Here are some example prompts to do that:

Please name and describe some of the more popular streets, bars, shops, and restaurants in Echo Promenade.

Some of the more prominent streets in Echo Promenade are Celestial Way, a street famed for its parade of holographic stars that illuminate the path nightly, and Nova Lane, known for its street performers and cozy cafes. At the heart of the district is The Nebula Lounge, a bar with an observation platform offering a sublime view of the moon, Veil. Crystal's Cuisine on Celestial Way serves up both terrestrial and interstellar delicacies. Another popular spot is The Stellar Boutique, a shop on Nova Lane that specializes in fashion from various planets within the Amity Ring. Lastly, Vintrix Bistro provides a high-end dining experience where artificial intelligence chefs craft personalized dishes for patrons. 

And, well, you get the picture.

Now that we’ve generated countries, cities, districts, and landmarks, we’ll turn to local culture. That’s something for our next chapter.