Gartic Phone Introduces and Removes Generative AI Game Mode: An Insight into Artistic and Ethical Discussions

Over the weekend, Onrizon Social Games' popular online drawing social game, Gartic Phone, introduced a beta feature that used generative AI to dynamically generate images based on user prompts.

This experimental mode caused heated discussion within the gaming and artistic communities before quickly being removed by the developers.

Key Takeaways

• Innovation and Controversy in Gaming: Gartic Phone's introduction of an AI game mode highlights the ongoing innovation within the gaming industry. However, it also sparks controversy, emphasizing the need for balance between tech advancement and ethical considerations in game development.
• Community Engagement and Impact: The quick and loud reaction from players and content creators underscores the significant impact that community feedback can have on game development decisions. Removing the AI mode highlights the importance of listening to and addressing user concerns in the gaming community.
• Broader Discussions on AI and Art: The incident with Gartic Phone's AI mode contributes to broader discussions around the use of generative AI in art and creative industries. This raises important questions about data sourcing, intellectual property rights, and ethical considerations as AI technologies continue to evolve and integrate in various industries.

Typically, Gartic Phone begins with one person coming up with a phrase, followed by a group of people taking turns to draw and describe the phrase, resembling a mixture of the popular games Broken Telephone and Pictionary.?

Gartic Phone, known for its free accessibility and its engaging multiplayer drawing experiences, has amassed a large following since its inception in 2020.

From the classic illustrated telephone to more complex animation modes, the game has seen rapid growth, largely driven by content creators who stream their gameplay sessions.??

The controversy surrounding Gartic Phone's generative AI mode began after observant players, mostly those on non-US servers like those in Japan, noticed the feature's deployment.

This discovery led to public scrutiny and outcry, especially from power players like RubberRoss, a respected artist and content creator well-known for their Gartic Phone videos.

In the wake of the controversy surrounding the new AI feature, Onrizon Social Games removed the AI feature.

Despite the attention, the company has not issued an official statement addressing the controversy or its decision to test AI functionality.

Chelsea Alves , a consultant with UNMiss, shared her thoughts on the AI-centered controversy,

"The introduction and subsequent removal of the generative AI mode in Gartic Phone showcases how complex the integration of technology, creativity, and ethics has become in nearly every industry.

This incident points to the need for businesses to provide transparent communication and thoughtful consideration of user feedback when integrating new technology into interactive experiences."

Do you agree/disagree?

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