How far can you take your use of AI without your users noticing? Apparently not very far, as games studio Rayark has found itself under severe criticism for allegedly firing artists in order to use AI art. But was it all true?
Over the last days, Twitter users have been claimed that employees have been fired and replaced with AI art. Numerous examples of artwork with the same general faults found by AI can be seen on social media.
Further evidence was supplied, including a recent interview with Rayark’s CTO praising the use of AI in art. The executive claims the technology is that “a natural evolution" for the games industry.
Rayark is a company based in Taiwan, famous for the Cytus series of games ans well as gacha titles such as Sdorica. They are behind many well beloved games that have been praised for their iconic art style.
Fans of the games studio are more than disappointed with the studio. On Reddit, fans of the studio explained: "the art was the main thing that attracted me to their games and they are firing the artists? Insane".
After several other posts and critics from all over the net, Rayark has issued a clarification, on Twitter. The company says that the rumors that have been circulating around about Rayark laying off staff to use AI art "are untrue". They do, however, say that they are monitoring the use of AI-generated art in the industry and they remain open-minded.
Despite this statement, several users have replied reporting on how the company has unveiled several job listings for "AI art designers". A user on Twitter commented how the refusal to use AI art would actually be an " admirable, respectable [...] a move that would really inspire new people to want to support you and your games".
On one thing the company is probably right, that AI-generated art is probably going to be a part of the industry soon. But it will be up to each company and their directors to decide if to use it for good, or for bad. We are definitely hoping for the first.