Wizards of the Coast, the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons, is facing criticism from artists and fans over the use of AI-generated images in their latest supplement, Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants. Dungeons & Dragons is known for its beautiful and imaginative artwork, which has been created by industry legends over the years. However, the artwork in question, created by artist Ilya Shkipin, has been pointed out as suspiciously AI-generated by many on social media.
The Use of AI in Artwork
Shkipin has confirmed that AI was used in the process to enhance certain details and elements of the illustrations. While some defend the use of AI in artwork, the response from artists and fans has been largely negative. There have been heated discussions on social media platforms, with many expressing disappointment and concern. Some artists who have worked with Wizards of the Coast, such as Karla Ortiz, have also expressed their disappointment and raised questions about the intentions behind the use of AI-generated art.
Class Action Lawsuit and Ethical Implications
Ortiz, along with other artists, has filed a class action lawsuit against AI image generators and platforms that host these images. She has also been involved in U.S. Senate hearings discussing the ethical implications of unregulated use of AI. As of now, Wizards of the Coast has not released an official statement addressing the use of AI-generated art in Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants or whether there will be modifications in future reprints.
Controversy and Response
This controversy adds to the list of recent controversies faced by Wizards of the Coast and parent company Hasbro. With the negative response from the public and professionals to the use of AI-generated art, the inclusion of such images in a D&D product has become a contentious issue. Other companies in the tabletop roleplaying game industry, such as Paizo and Chaosium, have implemented policies that ban AI-generated art from their products. It remains to be seen whether Wizards of the Coast will take similar action.
Availability
Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants is currently available for pre-order, with both digital and physical versions available. The physical version is set to ship on August 15, 2023.
In conclusion, the use of AI-generated art in Dungeons & Dragons has sparked controversy and criticism from artists and fans. The ethical implications of unregulated use of AI in art have also been raised. It remains to be seen whether Wizards of the Coast will take action in response to the negative reception of AI-generated art in their products.