"You can’t say you're against AI then blatantly use it."
Update: Wizards of the Coast has now admitted that the artwork in question was created using AI tools.
“Well, we made a mistake earlier when we said that a marketing image we posted was not created using AI,” the publisher said. “As you, our diligent community pointed out, it looks like some AI components that are now popping up in industry standard tools like Photoshop crept into our marketing creative, even if a human did the work to create the overall image.
“While the art came from a vendor, it’s on us to make sure that we are living up to our promise to support the amazing human ingenuity that makes Magic great,” Wizards of the Coast continued. “We already made clear that we require artists, writers, and creatives contributing to the Magic TCG to refrain from using AI generative tools to create final Magic products. Now we’re evaluating how we work with vendors on creative beyond our products – like these marketing images – to make sure that we are living up to those values.”
Original story: Magic the Gathering artist Dave Rapoza has quit his position at Wizards of the Coast after allegations the publisher is using AI art in recent promotional materials.
The allegations — which Wizards of the Coast has refuted — centre around inconsistencies in artwork, which players have pointed out in numerous social media posts.
“Have you looked at the pressure meter? The window? The wall next to it?” asked one player. “AI was definitely involved here.”
"created by humans" Right… pic.twitter.com/gf9TUXWSPA
— TaylorGreen (@GreenSkyDragon) January 5, 2024
Wizards’ response to the allegations comes after the publisher said it will “require[s] artists, writers, and creatives contributing to the Magic TCG to refrain from using AI generative tools to create final Magic products” last month.
Rapoza remains unconvinced; the original post from Wizards of the Coast appears to have been deleted (but can be seen at top).
“And just like that, poof, I’m done working for wizards of the coast – you can’t say you stand against this then blatantly use AI to promote your products, emails sent, good bye you all,” Rapoza said.
“If you’re gonna stand for something you better make sure you’re actually paying attention, don’t be lazy, don’t lie,” Rapoza continued.
The artist later spoke further about their decision to quit, adding that their position isn’t necessarily where other artists find themselves.
“Don’t be hard on other artists if they don’t quit,” Rapoza said. “I can and can afford to because I work for many other game studios and whatnot – some people only have [Wizards of the Coast] and cannot afford to quit having families and others to take care of – don’t follow my lead if you can’t, no pressure.”
What do you make of the current situation? Sound off in the comments area, below.
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