When Blaze Entertainment revealed the remastered versions of Duke Nukem 1 and 2 for the Evercade, a handheld gaming device, the news ignited an unexpected controversy surrounding the promotional cover art. Instead of the typical joy over retro gaming revival, Twitter users were quick to call out the obvious AI-generated nature of the image.
Blaze initially defended the commissioned artist, Oskar Manuel, before eventually apologizing as the outcry grew larger. It was obviously AI-generated based on its unnaturally posed limbs and the ambiguous elements in the scene.
Andrew Byatt, the CEO of the niche retro gaming brand, acknowledges the art and its failure to meet fan expectations. In it, he confirmed that the artist had used AI for the commissioned art and that the company will replace it as soon as possible.
Blaze immediately promised to commission a new piece of art that aligns more with the fan’s high standards.
A Statement from Blaze Entertainmenthttps://t.co/KYGv0KgCxF
— Evercade (@evercaderetro) June 1, 2023
While the initial uproar centered around the quality and apparent laziness of the promotional material, the controversy has swiftly expanded into a broader discussion on the use of AI in the creation of artistic imagery. Some fans worry about the increasing presence of AI-generated art, fearing it may overshadow or replace human creativity.
Manuel, the artist behind the original image, defines himself as a “professional hybrid concept artist.” His portfolio, which has a ton of AI-generated artwork, didn’t raise flags during the initial review process, much to the surprise of many. This has since sparked debates about the role and acceptance of AI in any industry. Some voiced their defense for AI as another tool that artists can use to further their work, likening its use to the transition from traditional canvas and art tools to Photoshop as well as other software. The opposition, however, insists that AI lacks the understanding and intent that human artists imbue in their work.
Regardless of where you stand on this complicated issue, one thing is clear: the vast majority of gamers are vigilant in their defense of art and won’t accept anything less than perfection, especially those that seem to delight in taking shortcuts and undercutting genuine artists.
Oskar Manuel, the artist, hasn’t publicly commented on the controversy, and it’s unclear if Blaze has rehired him for its new commissioned art.
For now, though, the Duke Nukem 1+2 Remastered announcement serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing dialogue in the use of AI in creative processes and the potential resistance it might face, particularly in areas where communities value traditional human creativity.
This backlash is timely as several companies have voiced their interest or investments in AI. Ubisoft, Blizzard Entertainment, Nvidia, and even Take-Two Interactive, are all for the use of AI if they haven’t started using it already.
