Even in our favorite virtual worlds, the lines between human creativity and artificial intelligence are becoming blurred. Gamers are outraged following Fortnite’s latest update, claiming that some new visual elements were created using AI.
The popular mini-season of The Simpsons has ended, and Fortnite Chapter 7 has arrived. This brings us to the Kill Bill partnership and improved Pussy Wagon vehicle. However, those changes are not currently attracting the attention of the community.
Is AI art invading gaming? Fortnite fans speak out
Rather, the current outrage stems from the belief that certain graphics introduced in this update were created using artificial intelligence. The key evidence is visual. A photo of a yeti resting in a web with its legs dangling shows its nine toes clearly visible. Even now, generating realistic hands and feet remains a persistent challenge for artificial intelligence artwork.
Some of the additional posters and artwork are currently drawing criticism for the dirty quality often found in AI work. Additionally, the anime-inspired decals featuring Marty McFly have raised questions as they look very similar to the Ghibli-esque AI copies that briefly gained popularity on the internet.
“IIRC, the Marty McFly spray is part of the Battle Pass, so you’re paying for it,” said one user on the discussion board. “Between this season and the next season, which is rumored to be Harry Potter themed, the game is over.”
Sweeney in the crosshairs: “Replace him with an AI?”
Tim Sweeney has drawn heavy criticism on Reddit for his recent comments regarding the seemingly inevitable use of AI in all areas of video game production. The CEO’s recent comments suggesting that AI will be used in all aspects of game development led to intense scrutiny on Reddit forums.
“Real question, I’m surprised no one asked Sweeney,” one user asks. “Why replace him with an AI if it can do a lot of the hard work?”
In another Reddit thread titled “Say no to AI slop and have no problem with a billion dollar company supporting real artists,” Fortnite players detail their views on various allegedly AI-generated graphics used in the game, including posters and decals, with some members suggesting people stop playing altogether.
Nine-Fingered Yeti: Smoking Gun
Another discussion thread on Reddit features an in-game graphic that appears to depict a nine-fingered yeti. A creepy photo of a yeti, believed to have nine toes, was shared in another forum post.
“AI is only needed for mundane tasks that slow down development, not the creative elements,” a disgruntled user commented. “Naturally, companies want to implement AI into everything so they don’t have to employ a workforce.”
Another individual argued, “It doesn’t matter that not everyone sees or uses it, but that doesn’t stop the fact that generative AI is terrible for the environment, steals from artists, and just generally looks bad.”
Another user argued, “That’s just laziness, especially considering poster heads are completely optional.” The original poster (OP) concludes, “If people don’t take a collective stance against AI, don’t be surprised if future skins, music, and other things turn out to be significantly worse because they were created by AI.”
Defining “AI slop”: What the community sees
The phrase “AI slop” is now a common way to describe very bland graphics that are believed to have been created by image creation software rather than a real person. Players report that these visuals are easy to identify. They feature misshapen hands, inconsistent faces, overly smooth surfaces, and characters that look great at first but become unpleasant upon closer inspection.
The fanbase claims that this content reduces the aesthetic quality of the game. “I used to feel like I was being handpicked,” one social media user commented. “Now it feels like it’s automatically generated.” Other players have suggested that this visual glitch turns Discover mode into a cluttered area full of easily created content designed solely for clicks.
