Xbox quickly deletes AI art promoting indies after backlash
Xbox has faced backlash for posting AI art on Twitter to promote indie games, with it quickly deleting the Tweet and staying silent on the matter
30th Dec 2023 09:52
Images via Xbox
Xbox quickly deletes AI art promoting indies after backlash
Xbox has faced backlash for posting AI art on Twitter to promote indie games, with it quickly deleting the Tweet and staying silent on the matter
30th Dec 2023 09:52
Images via Xbox
2023 was the year that artificial intelligence really became a part of the public discourse, as tools like Midjourney and ChatGPT have become widely accessible.
The AI infestation has also worked its way over to the video game industry, but not everyone is accepting of this new reality, as Xbox has faced tonnes of backlash for using AI art on its social media to promote indie games.
Xbox receives backlash for Tweet featuring AI art
On December 27, the ID@Xbox Twitter account posted a piece of art with the caption, "walking in a indie wonderlaaand. What were you favourite indie games of the year?"
However, it turns out the art in question, which featured the Xbox logo surrounded by kids skiing downhill, was created with the use of AI.
It looks fine at first glance (except for the weird Xbox logo), but closer inspection reveals a tonne of errors that made it clear it was AI-generated.
For example, the kid on the bottom right has a moustache for an upper lip, the kid to their right has a contorted face like a deflated balloon, and the adult in the centre of the D has teeth for a mouth. All in all, it doesn't look very good.
Twitter users were quick to jump on this and criticise the ID@Xbox team for using AI art in place of paying an actual professional artist.
One user even screencapped the errors in the picture and responded, "my favourite indie game was 'paying actual artists instead of pushing horrific AI slop'".
Xbox didn't respond to the backlash or apologise, only deleting the Tweet shortly after posting with the hopes the internet would forget. Spoiler alert: it never does.
Does AI have a future in games?
Despite the consistent backlash toward the usage of AI to create art in video games, it's only the beginning, and some developers have made it clear they see no problem with it.
This year we saw Embark Studios using AI-generated voice actors in THE FINALS to avoid paying real actors, and Ubisoft even created AI art to promote Assassin's Creed shortly after laying off staff at multiple studios.
The truth is, if the people making the big decisions at these companies want to save money and use AI, they'll do so no matter the response from consumers.
About The Author
Tarran Stockton
Tarran is a Senior Guides Writer at GGRecon. He previously wrote reviews for his college newspaper before studying Media and Communication at university. His favourite genres include role-playing games, strategy games, and boomer shooters - along with anything indie. You can also find him in the pit at local hardcore shows.
