Gamers Bash Xbox is clearly designed for the controversial art

Microsoft is one of the leaders in generative artificial intelligence (AI), sinking billions into OpenAI and pushing AI tools to Xbox developers. But now the tech giant has drawn the ire of angry gamers for using AI-generated artwork to promote indie games.

According to the game publication report My cityIndie game-focused id@Xbox Division tweeted out a piece of artwork this week focused on Winter (aka X) with the caption “Walking through an indie wonderland” and asking gamers, “What were your favorite indie games of the year? “

However, many respondents chose to comment on issues with the artwork consistent with generative AI output, including distorted faces and out-of-place behavior. The tweet was quickly deleted, but the criticism continued.

There is no such thing as “we don't care about indie developers using AI”. A user responded. “If you can't hire an artist to do an ad, I highly doubt you'll do it with independent developers.”

“My favorite indie game was ‘Paying real artists instead of having horrible AI slop push you responses'.” Another answered.

Microsoft has not publicly commented on the backlash or the removal of the tweet. Decrypt I reached out to Microsoft for comment but did not hear back immediately.

There are many famous video game studios. Now using creative AI tools Including Ubisoft, Blizzard and NCSoft to help with game development. Meanwhile, platforms like Xbox and Roblox have launched AI tools for creators to use. But such moves have equally drawn criticism from players. He complained about NFTs and crypto tokens.

In November, Microsoft It has announced a partnership with Inworld AI– the portfolio company of M12's venture arm – to integrate such AI tools for Xbox developers. Immediately, the company was hit hard by developers who claimed it was. “respectful and dangerous” (among other comments) to human creators.

But Microsoft isn't the only gaming company facing backlash for using generative AI tools. The developers behind the games The last ones And Signature In the year In 2023, they're among those taking flak for AI-generated elements, but Witches of the Coast It prevented the artists from using AI. For Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons Projects.

In one recent example, League of Legends creator Riot Games was hit with an incorrect character name for allegedly using AI tools for a game trailer. However, the company explained that Simply human error– No AI was used.