Blizzard Faces AI Art Accusations Amidst Layoffs and Cost-Cutting Measures
A growing controversy is brewing around Activision Blizzard as players accuse the gaming giant of using generative AI to create artwork for its upcoming Diablo Immortal and Hearthstone crossover event. The allegations come as the company, and its parent Microsoft, navigate significant workforce reductions and explore new technologies to streamline operations.
Reddit Sparks Outcry Over Questionable Artwork
The debate ignited on Reddit, where a user named Ipyreable posted an image from the promotional material, claiming it exhibits telltale signs of AI generation. The post quickly gained traction, amassing over 4,400 upvotes and being subsequently covered by publications like PC Gamer. The core of the concern centers around several anomalies within the image, including a hand appearing to fade into a wall, mirrored or reversed card art, and a particularly bizarre anatomical detail – an ear featuring three “conchas.”
“Given Hearthstone’s fantasy leanings, it would be fair to presume a make-believe world embodies mystical things that don’t align with the real world we live in,” one commenter noted, “but I don’t think there’s many people who’d be prepared to defend an ear with three conchas.”
Concerns Over Artistic Integrity and Monetization
The accusations are further fueled by concerns over Activision Blizzard’s monetization strategies. The original poster highlighted the cost of a Hearthstone cosmetic pet, King Krush, priced at $158, suggesting the company may be opting for cheaper AI-generated art instead of commissioning work from human artists. The pet is obtained through a system described as a “gambling mechanism” requiring real-money expenditure.
“Guess $158 pets aren’t enough to pay an artist to draw the image for their colab lmao,” the original Reddit post stated.
The sentiment resonated with other players, with one individual stating, “Well, let’s keep calling them out for this shit. If they’re not going to pay artists, users are going to grumble. That’s just how it is as well.” Another user suggested a consumer-driven solution: “Less grumbling, and more ‘stop buying things with real money.’ Can do both, but the latter is the only thing that gets brought up in yearly budget meetings with the money goblins.”
Layoffs and the Rise of AI Within King
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of significant restructuring within Activision Blizzard. Earlier this month, Microsoft announced approximately 9,000 layoffs globally, impacting roughly 200 employees at King, the studio behind Hearthstone. Reports now indicate that King is actively replacing some of these laid-off staff members with AI tools – tools that, ironically, the departing employees helped to develop.
“The sad reality is that most users won’t notice or care much at all,” one observer commented. “It’s better to focus on supporting companies and creators who make their own shit. Easier to get people excited for something new rather than try to diminish their attachment to something comfortable and familiar.”
Activision Blizzard has not yet issued a public statement addressing the allegations of AI-generated art. As of today, February 29, 2024, the artwork in question remains available online. The situation raises critical questions about the future of artistic labor within the gaming industry and the ethical implications of increasingly relying on artificial intelligence in creative processes.
Watch the Diablo Immortal x Hearthstone cinematic trailer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOUR_YOUTUBE_VIDEO_ID
