Microsoft is currently accused of using an image generated by artificial intelligence to promote indie games. The image and the corresponding X post have now been deleted, but the angry response from the Xbox community is still strong. 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 about the Xbox community’s favorite indie games of 2023. To do this, they used an image in which a snow sculpture with the inscription ID Xbox and a few people can be seen. However, some X users suspect that this comes from artificial intelligence.
The use of AI-generated content in creative industries is a controversial topic as it may endanger jobs there in the future. In this case, the Internet community is particularly upset: Firstly, it hits the indie developers of potentially vulnerable groups and secondly, Microsoft wants yes actually supporting them with this post.
X users and artists NecroKuma has a clear opinion on the incident:
Nothing says so much we don’t care about indie developers
how to use artificial intelligence.
Link to Twitter content
NecroKuma, like other commentators, accuses Microsoft of double standards: On the one hand, they would Promote indie games and on the other hand would they harm their developers. But the truth is that not all game developers are critical of the use of AI: this includes persona creator Kazuhisa Wada, for example.
In addition, these are only unconfirmed allegations, it has not been officially confirmed whether it was an AI-generated image: the accusation arose from unusual proportions and depictions such as children’s mouths that look like mustaches, which are supposed to be recognizable are. 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. It wasn’t until late summer that those responsible for the Fallout series came under massive criticism when they used it for advertising purposes. You can find more interesting articles on artificial intelligence and other content here:
What is your opinion on using 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 are very interested in your opinion, so feel free to write it in the comments!