Wizards of the Coast, the company behind the popular card game Magic: The Gathering (MTG), has confirmed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its marketing efforts, sparking a backlash from MTG artists. The controversy arose when it was discovered that an AI-generated promotional image was used in the marketing material for Ravnica Remastered.
On January 7, Wizards of the Coast took to Twitter to address the situation, acknowledging the use of AI in the creation of the image and emphasizing their responsibility to ensure that human artists create all the art associated with MTG. The company has always made it clear that they do not utilize generative AI for the products they release.
In light of this marketing blunder, Wizards of the Coast has stated that they are reevaluating their approach to working with vendors to ensure that even promotional images align with their values. The use of AI in the art space has been widely criticized, and this revelation has caused at least one MTG artist, Dave Rapoza, to express his intention to sever ties with the game.
Rapoza accused Wizards of the Coast of being hypocritical when it comes to AI implementation in MTG and other company products. His decision to walk away from the game was not an isolated incident, as other artists also voiced their criticisms of the card game developer.
It remains to be seen whether Wizards of the Coast’s response will be enough to repair the strained relationship with the affected artists and rebuild trust. Nonetheless, the company’s commitment to ensuring that AI-generated art does not pass through for publishing should offer some reassurance to those concerned about further implementation of AI in MTG art.
For now, it is clear that Wizards of the Coast’s stance on the issue has not changed, and they remain committed to relying solely on human creativity for the creation of MTG products. The repercussions of this incident underline the importance of maintaining transparency and open communication with artists and fans alike.
