AI being used to create art is still a sensitive topic in the art industry and community, which is why an artist admitting to using artificial intelligence to enhance or generate art for a well-known franchise might be an issue.
Artist Admits Using AI
Dungeons & Dragons is releasing a new book soon titled "Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants!" just as the news emerged. One of the artists behind the book, Ilya Shkipin, said that he used AI on "certain details or polishing and editing" on X, formerly Twitter.
He has since deleted his post but like every other content that anyone wants to erase, screenshots were already taken. Shkipin posted earlier versions of the artwork before AI was used to prove that it was not entirely generated by AI.
The Wizards of the West Coast were not aware that the artist had used AI art generators at all, clarifying that no text in the book was AI-generated. As a result, WotC said that they will update their guidelines to prevent this from happening again, as mentioned in The Verge.
Shkipin posted on X that he had deleted his previous posts as the future of the illustrations is being discussed, to which he replied saying that the illustrations are going to be reworked. It's unclear whether the artist would continue from the artwork before AI was used or if he will start over.
Ilya Shkipin is already known to be using AI art generators such as Pika Labs AI as well as operating an NFT marketplace, although it was not expected for him to use it to enhance artwork for the Dungeons & Dragons sourcebook.
It was confirmed through screenshots received by io9 that the artist used AI art generators, but the generators used at the time when Shkipin turned in his artwork were not of high quality enough to generate proper images. They said it was painted digitally overall.
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D&D Isn't Against AI Entirely
An artist using AI for its sourcebook may be a bit of an issue, especially for fans, but the franchise isn't turning its back on AI completely. The tabletop game will soon have AI elements on it, according to the game's publisher, Hasbro.
In collaboration with Xplored, Hasbro claims it will "deliver innovative gameplay" to players. With AI, there's also a possibility for "limitless digital expansions to physical games, seamless onboarding, and powerful AI-driven mechanics," as reported by Gizmodo.
AI is not all bad, especially if it will make it easier for new players to navigate through the game quickly, which is one of the company's goals. Hasbro, after all, is already testing out a virtual version of the tabletop Dungeons & Dragons, so fans can expect that in the future.
Adam Biehl, Hasbro Gaming Senior Vice President, says that the AI will react to the decisions of the players. Xplored is behind the digital board game, Teburu, so they will likely already know a thing or two about developing board game mechanics and how AI will fit into it.
