How I Created a Fantasy World with AI

I set myself a challenge. I want to create a fantasy map using AI. For this challenge, I will start with a very simple prompt and then look at the problems and mistakes and improve from there. The idea is to end up with a nice map of a fantasy world that also looks nice.

In this step-by-step process, I will create a map with simple prompts and then use chatgpt to refine the prompt according to the results I get. I will create the maps with an image generation model on the platform Openart.

This process can easily be reproduced by anybody. So, if you want to create your own worlds, this can be a great starting point.

Also check out my AI map generation System that allows you to make consistent real maps with AI, in the style that you wish.

Here the final result of the map I generated:

And here is the prompt that I used to generate it:

Epic fantasy world map, top-down view, extremely detailed, multiple large continents and smaller subcontinents separated by oceans and inland seas. Realistic physical geography strictly following natural laws: long mountain ranges forming continental backbones; rivers originating in mountains and highlands, flowing continuously downhill to lakes, seas, or oceans, never crossing or splitting unnaturally. Natural river deltas and estuaries at coastlines.
Climate-driven biomes: forests concentrated in temperate and tropical regions near water sources, deserts formed by rain shadows on the leeward sides of mountains, fertile plains along river valleys, tundra and glaciers toward polar regions.
Settlements placed logically based on geography: cities and towns located along rivers, coastlines, natural harbors, crossroads, and fertile plains. Visible road and trade networks connecting settlements through valleys and mountain passes, avoiding steep terrain.
Natural coastlines with realistic erosion: bays, peninsulas, archipelagos, fjords, cliffs. Lakes with clear inflow and outflow rivers. Strategic structures such as ruins, fortresses, and watchtowers near mountain passes and river crossings.
Hand-drawn medieval fantasy cartography style, rich red and gold color palette, ornate borders, compass roses, and map embellishments. High-fantasy aesthetic, rich terrain shading and textures, no text, no labels, no letters, no words, no runes, no numbers, pure visual map only, high resolution.


The image model that gave me the best results in Openart is Nano Banana Pro.

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