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Models & Tokens Guide

This guide explains the concepts of AI models and tokens as they are used in Dreamio.

AI Models

Dreamio uses several types of artificial intelligence (AI) models to create its interactive experience. These models are complex programs trained to perform specific tasks like generating text, creating images, or synthesizing speech.

Model Types

  • Text Models (LLMs): Large Language Models generate the story, character dialogue, and descriptions. They understand the context of the game and respond to your actions.
  • Image Models: These models create the visual illustrations for the scenes based on textual descriptions.
  • Depth Models: These models analyze a 2D image and generate a "depth map" for it. This map adds a 3D parallax effect to the illustrations, making them more immersive.
  • Speech Models (TTS): Text-to-Speech models convert the narrator's text into spoken audio.
  • Speech Recognition Models (ASR): These models convert your spoken words into text, allowing you to play the game using your voice.

Local vs. Cloud Providers

For each type of model, you can typically choose between a "Local" provider and a "Cloud" provider.

  • Local: Local models run directly on your computer's hardware (CPU or GPU).
    • Pros: Free to use (after downloading the model), private, and works offline.
    • Cons: Requires a powerful computer, especially for high-quality image and text generation. You need to download and manage the model files yourself.
  • Cloud: Cloud models are run on powerful remote servers owned by third-party companies. Dreamio connects to these services through an API.
    • Pros: Very fast and high-quality results without needing a powerful PC. No need to download large model files.
    • Cons: These services cost money to use, which is where "tokens" come in. Requires an internet connection.

Where to Get Models

  • Steam Workshop: The easiest way to get new models for local use is to subscribe to them on the Dreamio Steam Workshop. The game will automatically download and manage them.
  • Manual Download: For advanced users, you can download compatible models from websites like Hugging Face and place them in the appropriate folders, which you can configure in the game's settings menus.

Tokens & API Keys

What are Tokens?

When using Cloud providers for AI generation, you are using their computational resources. These services measure usage in "tokens".

  • For text generation, both your input (the story so far) and the AI's output (the newly generated text) consume tokens.
  • For image generation, usage is typically measured per image generated.

These services are not free. You pay for the computing power you use.

Dreamio Tokens vs. Your Own API Keys

Dreamio offers two ways to pay for cloud services:

  1. Dreamio Tokens: You can purchase tokens directly within the game. This is the simplest option, as you don't need to create accounts with third-party providers. The cost of tokens includes the provider's fees plus a portion to cover platform fees (like Steam's cut).
  2. Your Own API Keys: For a more cost-effective option, you can get your own API key directly from the provider (e.g., OpenRouter, DeepInfra). You then pay the provider directly for your usage, which is often cheaper.

For detailed instructions on how to obtain an API key for each of the supported cloud providers, please see the API Keys Guides.

Important: Always keep your API keys secret! Anyone who has your key can use your account and incur charges.