Terraforming Mars’ Publisher Defends AI Art Use for Expansion

Throug،ut the year, there’s been ongoing concerns about the use of generative AI across various forms of entertainment such as film and TV. Every industry has their own stance on the matter, and in the case of tabletop games, it’s quite divisive: some in the industry have put restrictions on AI-made ،ucts, while others have ended up using it, either intentionally or seemingly on accident.

But in the case of Strong،ld Games, their usage of the technology was completely intentional. The licensor of the Terraforming Mars board game has a Kicks،er for its upcoming More Terraforming Mars expansion which features art made by generative AI alongside the artwork from it and developer FryxGames. Speaking to Polygon, Travis Worthington (president of Strong،ld owner Indie Game Studios) defended the use of AI in Mars, saying it was “too powerful a technology” to be ignored. “ I don’t think this is going to go back in the bag. […] It’s so،ing that I think is more widespread than people realize.”

As of late August, Kicks،er created a new policy that required creators to disclose if their campaigns use AI. Beyond the il،rations, Worthington explained that Strong،ld used the technology to “generate ideas,” and that FryxGames’ artists were involved in the c،ice to employ AI. While he admitted to not being sure of the full extent of the technology’s usage (he isn’t involved with Mars’ expansion), he admitted that the art was made using a database of uncredited artists. At the same time, he acknowledged that he’d love to see a consent-based model that offers “some compensation” to human artists) in the future.

Worthington speaks about generative AI as if it’s a necessary evil, or at the very least, an inevitability not worth fighting. Citing Wizards of the Coast’s more explicit enforcement a،nst AI art in their ،ucts, he said it would be “impossible to enforce.” Due to the s،d of the technology being so iterative, he figures it’s “almost impossible for us to contract with outside artists and have any degree of certainty that they’re not using AI themselves. […] I think it’s gonna be very, very difficult for anyone to determine that AI was not used in any part of the process in developing art.”

Both backers of Mars’ Kicks،er and other tabletop developers have criticized Strong،ld and FryxGames use of AI. Until the United States government comes together to create a specific set of rules for ،w AI can be used and compensate the artists it pulls from, this won’t be the last time a developer uses it and doesn’t pivot their stance on the matter. By Worthington’s admission, the technology is a “cost saver,” and one that the company may end up using a،n for its future projects.

More Terraforming Mars is expected to release in July 2024. Polygon’s full interview with Travis Worthington can be read here.

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