Blaze Entertainment has apologised for using AI-generated artwork in a promo for Duke Nukem. The company recently commissioned artist Oskar Manuel to create a new lead image for Duke Nukem 1+2 Remastered to celebrate them coming to Evercade.
Upon the promo’s release, fans became suspicious that some of the work was AI-generated. One image, for instance, shows an odd grey patch between Duke’s gun and his arm that doesn’t match the rest of the backdrop. Additionally, a quick look at the artist’s Art Station profile shows that most of his work is AI-Generated. Outraged fans quickly took to Twitter to voice their concerns.
“Your ‘award-winning artist’ is using AI. Next time hire a real artist like Victor Gadino, who produced the art for Duke Nukem Zero Hour,” Tweeted one user.
Another user, named Hanyuu_central, took the time to take the sketch apart and note the problematic areas.
Man, I did a first game art around 2004. No. SKETCH. EVER. LOOKS. LIKE. THIS. The very thing about the sketch – it shows you how things work. What exactly is the parts. Not a random strokes. Not just a composition. It should show you how. Exactly. Everything. Works. pic.twitter.com/Tuvuxkfsfz
— Hanyuu_central 🇺🇦 (@CentralHanyuu) June 1, 2023
Blaze Entertainment apologizes for AI art
CEO of Blaze Entertainment, Andrew Byatt has since released a brief statement apologising for using AI-generative artwork.
“It is abundantly clear from the response on social media that the work on this commission has fallen below the expectation and standards demanded by fans due to the artists’ use of AI in the process,” says Byatt in the statement.
“We are immediately removing the art where possible to do so and will be announcing a replacement commission in due course that better meets the high standard expected,” says the statement continues. “We would like to apologise to you, all of the fans, who have felt passionately about this enough and please be assured are working to remedy this.”
However, the statement doesn’t clarify whether Blaze Entertainment commissioned the artist specifically to create AI art for the promo. Manuel himself has yet to comment.
Duke Nukem is Coming to the Big Screen
Last year, Gearbox announced that a Duke Nukem movie was in the works. Cobra Kai creators Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald are working on the film with Legendary Entertainment. Likewise, Blumhouse is developing a film adaptation of the popular horror game Dead by Daylight. Similalry a Five Nights at Freddy’s film will be out just in time for halloween.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
