In response to social media criticism, Wizards of the Coast has released a statement that further clarifies its stance on the use of generative AI in material for the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop game.
The statement, made via a post on the digital storefront D&D Beyond, indicates that all creative contributors to D&D will be required “to refrain from using AI generative tools to create final D&D products.”
This comes four months after an incident in August where an artist admitted he’d used AI tools to “polish” several illustrations that he’d contributed to a new D&D sourcebook. In response, Wizards pledged to amend its artistic guidelines to prohibit creators from using generative AI.
Today’s updated statement appears to come as a response to an online discussion. On Dec. 1, a piece of artwork appeared on the official Dungeons & Dragons X (formerly Twitter) account to tease the upcoming 2024 rules update for D&D, which will include brand-new editions of the game’s 3 core rulebooks.
The artwork in question, by Chilean illustrator Nestor Ossandón, depicts a dwarf warrior. It’s one of many new illustrations that are planned to run in the updated D&D Player’s Handbook, and made its public debut earlier this month at a panel at the Penny Arcade Expo Unplugged in Philadelphia.
In response to the teaser, many fans wondered if it had been created using AI tools, citing issues such as the seeming absence of the dwarf’s left arm. Wizards first responded on Dec. 18 via the official D&D Beyond X account, saying that it had checked with the original artist to ensure that no generative AI had been used.
Wizards further clarified its stance on Tuesday by announcing its blanket prohibition.
“We work with some of the most talented artists and creatives in the world,” according to the blog post, “and we believe those people are what makes D&D great.”
The response comes a week after reports that multiple workers at Renton, Wash.-based Wizards of the Coast had been impacted by a round of layoffs instituted by parent company Hasbro, including several senior employees who worked on both Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering.
