The debate about AI-generated content in the video games industry is boiling over again. This time it’s Microsoft, which has attracted a lot of criticism with a promotional post
Microsoft is currently being accused of using an image generated by artificial intelligence to advertise indie games. The image and the corresponding X-Post have since been deleted, but the Xbox community is still very angry. You can find out what this is all about in this article
“You’re not interested in indie developers “
The X account (formerly Twitter) of Xbox’s indie division (ID@Xbox) published a post on December 27, 2023, asking for the Xbox community’s favorite indie games of 2023. They used a picture showing a snow sculpture with the lettering ID Xbox and some people. However, some X users suspect that this was created by an artificial intelligence
The use of AI-generated content in creative industries is a controversial topic, as it could potentially jeopardize jobs in the future. In this case, however, the internet community is particularly upset: Firstly, it affects indie developers, one of the potentially endangered groups and secondly, Microsoft actually wants to support them with the post
X user and artist (NecroKuma) has a clear opinion on the incident:
Nothing says so much we don’t care about indie developers
like using artificial intelligence.
Nothing says “we don’t care about indie developers” like using AI.
If you can’t hire an artist to do advertising, I highly doubt you’ll do it with independent developers https://t.co/wgFgIlIYUG
– NecroKuma (COMM OPEN 2024!) (@NecroKuma3) December 27, 2023
Thus NecroKuma, like other commentators, accuses Microsoft of double standards: On the one hand they would promote indie games and on the other hand they would harm their developers But the truth is that not all game developers are critical of the use of AI: This includes, for example, the Persona creator Kazuhisa Wada.
Furthermore, these are only unconfirmed allegations, it has not been officially confirmed whether it was an AI-generated image: the accusation arose due to unusual proportions and depictions such as children’s mouths looking like moustaches, which can allegedly be recognized. Microsoft has not yet commented on the allegations and removed the post from X on December 28th.
This is not the first controversy involving AI-generated art. Only in late summer did those responsible for the Fallout series come under massive criticism when they used it for advertising purposes.
What is your opinion on the use of AI-generated content for advertising purposes? Do you think it hurts smaller development studios or could it also be an opportunity? Now we ask you without AI-generated content: What was your favorite indie game of 2023? We’d love to hear your opinion, so feel free to write it in the comments!
