Champions of Otherworldly Magic, the developer of the digital trading card game, has reportedly invested \(90,000 in card artwork. The bulk of this sum has been allocated to a singular "AI artist" who commands a monthly salary of \)15,000, despite only devoting less than two full work days to the project each month.
An article from the official Champions TCG account highlights the rationale behind compensating the AI designer with $15,000 per month for approximately 10 hours of work. The artist’s output includes a multitude of exceptional art pieces within this limited timeframe, surpassing the efficiency of any group of skilled artisans.
Although the artwork is entirely AI-generated, it boasts a remarkable absence of common flaws like additional appendages or generic motifs. The creations exhibit diverse variations, alternative styles, and meticulous details, setting the artist apart in terms of quality and speed. The primary focus remains on ensuring player satisfaction through the game’s visual appeal.
Miles Malec, the co-founder and CEO of Champions TCG, revealed in a conversation with PC Gamer that the anonymous artist, with 15 years of digital art experience, has leveraged generative AI to produce over 1,000 images within six months. Despite the high monthly remuneration, Malec emphasizes the unparalleled value delivered by the artist, surpassing traditional painters in both cost-effectiveness and quality.
The revenue generated by Champions TCG, estimated at around $500K from card sales, primarily stems from transactions involving “gems” that can be exchanged for card packs using conventional currency. The unique selling point lies in the cards being NFTs that support trading and purchasing through cryptocurrency.
While the card images undergo AI generation, Malec clarifies that manual touch-ups are essential to refine the final output and rectify any imperfections introduced during the automated process. The meticulous editing ensures a flawless end product that meets the highest standards of quality.
Despite some occasional issues with details and proportions in the card images, the Champions TCG website offers a comprehensive display of the entire card collection. While some designs may bear resemblance to existing concepts, they fulfill their purpose effectively. The AI-generated nature of the artwork might not be immediately apparent to viewers unfamiliar with the process.
Responding to criticisms regarding the perceived simplicity of the AI artist’s work, the Champions account defended the artist’s skill and talent, dismissing claims that such tasks could be easily replicated by individuals lacking expertise.
The debate surrounding the substantial compensation for AI-generated art continues, with contrasting opinions on the perceived value and ethics of utilizing such resources in the gaming industry. Despite the controversy, Champions remains unapologetic about their innovative approach, challenging aspiring artists to match the caliber of their AI-generated creations through rigorous art tests.
