Summary
Pokemon GOplayers have accused Niantic of using AI-generated art to promote the game’s new season. Players enjoyPokemon GOas it allows them to become a Pokemon trainer in real life. ButPokemon GOis also known for its share of problems and controversies.
Pokemon GOfaces recurring controversies that have resulted in backlash from the community. In July,Pokemon GOplayers had problems with Zygarde’s Special Research due to the new Routes feature. But one of the most controversial issues in the app’s history was thechange toPokemon GO’s Remote Raids. The adjustment in how Remote Raids works resulted in much criticism fromPokemon GOplayers, with some deciding to sell their accounts and stop playing the game. NowPokemon GOfaces a new controversy, but it’s not for gameplay reasons.
RELATED:Casual Pokemon GO Player Has One of the Rarest Shinies in the Game and Didn’t Even Realize It
Some players have accused Niantic of using AI-generated art to promotePokemon GOSeason 12. Named Adventures Abound, one of the artworks shows the season logo with a city in the background. Upon closer inspection,Pokemon GOplayers noticed an inconsistent and extremely blurry lineart, which distorts and ends abruptly and makes the image lack cohesion.Pokemon GOplayers also argued that the image seems to have been made without any planning, with strange details such as a car that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Another point made by players is the absence of Pokemon in the image and the general feeling that it lacks the “soul” ofPokemonart.
In a statement to Kotaku, Niantic said that it “uses a variety of tools and software to create visual assets,” and did not confirm nor deny using AI-generated art. The use of AI is causing a huge controversy in entertainment because while artists say that AI steals their work, AI tools are becoming increasingly popular, withMarvel using AIfor the opening ofSecret Invasion. In the gaming world, there are also examples of voice actors criticizing the use of AI to reproduce their voices, such as Yuri Lowenthal (Spider-Man), Paul Eiding (Metal Gear Solid), and Erica Lindbeck (Persona 5).
Niantic’s statement on the promotional art forPokemon GOSeason 12 neither confirms nor denies the use of AI tools. This should be expected, asNiantic typically doesn’t directly addressPokemon GOcontroversies. As a result, it won’t come as a surprise ifPokemon GOplayers continue to criticize the studio over the potential use of a controversial feature.
Pokemon GOis available on Android and iOS.
