In a recent endeavor to “revolutionize” the visual representation of video game characters, American production studio Corridor Digital has once again found itself amidst a whirlwind of debate and criticism from both professionals and fans alike.
The studio, previously known for its AI-generated attempt to convert HBO’s The Last of Us into a video game (someone must have missed the memo from 2013), has released a new piece that boldly attempts to “fix” video game faces, making them appear more photo-realistic through AI technology.
In its YouTube video titled ‘We Try Putting Photoreal Faces in Video Games’, Corridor Digital co-founder Niko Pueringer and his team showcased the results of combining AI face-morphing technology Insight Face with the AI image generator Stable Diffusion XL.
Pueringer enthusiastically claimed that this amalgamation of tech could significantly alter the way video game characters are rendered, making them appear more lifelike and emotionally connective.
However, the video, which juxtaposes AI-enhanced images of characters like Nathan Drake from Uncharted, Aloy from Horizon: Forbidden West, Commander Shepard from Mass Effect, and Big Boss from Metal Gear Solid with their original in-game appearances, has been met with skepticism and laughter rather than awe and approval.
The AI-enhanced faces, while smooth and detailed, were criticized for their uncanny and emotionless appearance, which, ironically, contradicts the studio’s ultimate goal of fostering a stronger emotional connection between players and characters.
Gamers and industry experts were quick to respond, pointing out that the allure of video game characters does not solely rely on hyper-realistic facial expressions. Characters with less detailed designs have been known to elicit strong emotional responses from players due to their expressiveness and the compelling narratives they are embedded in.
The argument that more realistic faces automatically translate to more compelling characters was dismissed as simplistic and unfounded. Surprisingly, the reaction to Corridor Digital’s video was not entirely negative, with some viewers expressing their amusement at the AI-enhanced faces.
Despite that, many urged the studio to revert to producing pop culture-themed videos rather than continuing with AI tech experiments that seem to misunderstand the essence of video games and animation as compelling art forms. The controversy surrounding Corridor Digital’s video highlights the ongoing debate and tension between technology and artistry in the gaming industry.
While AI offers innovative tools and countless possibilities, the reception of Corridor Digital’s experiment suggests that there is a fine line between enhancement and distortion, between making characters more relatable and rendering them as eerie and unappealing effigies of humanity.
As alternative platforms and technologies continue to emerge and influence the gaming and content creation landscapes, studios like Corridor Digital will undoubtedly continue to experiment.
Thankfully, the mixed responses to their endeavors underscore the importance of approaching technology not as a replacement for human creativity but as a tool that should be used thoughtfully and respectfully to complement and elevate the hard work of artists and designers in the industry.
