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Not too long ago, Wizards of the Coast shared a cleverly worded statement emphasizing its stance on generative AI. Creatives must “refrain from using AI generative AI tools to create final Magic products,” which unravelled less than three weeks later when a marketing campaign was launched with what is now confirmed to be AI generated visuals, though these products didn’t make it into precon decks.
Before Wizards was able to confirm whether or not AI was used in the advert, one of its key artists, Dave Rapoza, made a heavy-handed and public resignation: “And just like that, poof, I’m done working for Wizards of the Coast – you can’t say you stand against this then blatantly use AI to promote your products, emails sent, good bye [to] you all!”
Rapoza’s resignation was mainly in response to a tweet which claimed that AI was not used in the production of the advert, though it’s now been retracted with an honest apology from Wizards of the Coast. In December, after Wizards first brought up the use of generative AI in its TCG products, the phrasing of “final Magic products” seemed to leave things open to marketing materials able to use AI. The U-turn on this statement, and the mistaken denial, has sent ripples through the MTG industry.
It also released a statement on January 7th, which focused on creatives “beyond [its] products.” The statement confronts the fact that “especially with generative AI becoming standard in tools such as Photoshop,” Wizards is in much need of updating how it work with “vendors” too.
Recent months have seen AI generated text and image increasing ten-fold in popularity, reasoning, and quality. With Hasbro layoffs drastically impacting Wizards of the Coast despite it being one of its most financially lucrative brands, it seemed inevitable that AI would somehow make its way into the creative workflow.
MTG cards are traditionally drawn and painted by artists, though recently the toy industry has seen huge dips in profits. While this has largely affected other IPs, Magic: The Gathering continues to be one of the last surviving bastions. The upcoming Ravnica Remastered set will reimagine previously painted MTG cards, and while we’re sure not to see any AI generated art pop-up there, there’s no telling that we won’t in the future. Let’s hope not.
Source: Wizards of the Coast
