Developer of Foundry Virtual Tabletop condemns automated intelligence in tabletop RPG sector, labeling it a "breach of trust."

Developer of Foundry Virtual Tabletop condemns automated intelligence in tabletop RPG sector, labeling it a "breach of trust."

Take a Sit and Listen

Here's the lowdown on the TTRPG world, where even the venerable tabletop games like D&D have felt the tentacles of generative AI butt in. Wizards of the Coast has been stirring up controversy left and right, all thanks to that darn AI art popping up in their sourcebooks[2][4]. And while Hasbro's CEO, Chris Cocks, has been pretty chill about it all, Andrew Clayton, the brain behind Foundry VTT, isn't having any of it[1][3].

Foundry VTT, a software beloved by many TTRPG players, is known for its customizability, thanks to player-made modules. And if you've dabbled in playing TTRPG online, chances are you've given Foundry a whirl at some point, even though it can be a tad more expensive and tricky to set up compared to options like Roll20[1].

In a recent interview, Clayton laid out his stance on AI in no uncertain terms. "AI-generated content remains an exploitative technology that unfairly harvests intellectual property, producing soulless and derivative works without consent," he said[1]. In other words, he views AI as a betrayal to the creators who have built the TTRPG industry from the ground up.

This is quite the contrast to what Hasbro's CEO had to say late last year. According to him, AI was a clear sign they needed to be embraced, with every single one of his 30-40 D&D-playing colleagues reportedly using AI for campaign development, character development, or story ideas[1].

But Clayton isn't on board with that idea. While he concedes that AI might have some use in private home games, he warns that it actively disenfranchises human creators. And honestly, I can't blame him for feeling that way. AI-generated content is known for making money off work scraped from the internet without consent.

It's worth noting that Foundry VTT doesn't officially support AI integration. But I've seen modules that make use of AI in circulation. These aren't endorsed by Foundry, but players can still use them, which is Clayton's personal stance against AI.

The real kicker here is that Foundry VTT has an official partnership with D&D, dating back to February last year[1]. With Hasbro's CEO championing AI in tabletop, it's clear that his stance is at odds with the rest of the industry, including WotC's business partners[3]. But who knows? Maybe things will change in the future, once AI becomes better legislated or something[3]. Until then, however, it looks like Foundry VTT will remain AI-free.

Side Note:- Andrew Clayton, the creator of Foundry VTT, has a firm stance against the use of AI in the TTRPG industry, citing it as an exploitative technology that unfairly harvests intellectual property without consent[1][3][4].- Foundry VTT does not officially support AI integration, but players can still find modules that utilize AI in circulation[1].- Foundry VTT has an official partnership with D&D, which may pose interesting challenges considering Hasbro's CEO's pro-AI stance in the tabletop gaming world[1].

Contributors:- Harvey Randall: PC Gamer team member, avid TTRPG and RPG player, and lover of anything soulslikes, roguelikes, MMOs, and indie titles.

References:[1] PC Gamer Blog post on Foundry VTT's stance on AI[2] Wired article on Wizards of the Coast and AI[3] The Escapist interview with Andrew Clayton[4] Kotaku article on the future of AI in gaming

1. In the realm of gaming gadgets, Andrew Clayton, the mastermind behind Foundry Virtual Tabletop (VTT), has set a record this season for his unwavering stance against AI integration in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG).
2. Clayton's viewpoint on the topic is quite firm; he perceives AI as a form of exploitative technology that unjustly harvests intellectual property, creating derivatives without the creators' consent.
3. This season, the discussion surrounding AI has been a hot topic in the TTRPG industry, with various opinions expressed. While Hasbro's CEO has been advocating for the inclusion of AI, hoping it would propel the industry forward, Clayton warns that it risks disenfranchising human creators.
4. Despite Foundry VTT's official partnership with D&D, Clayton has managed to maintain his stance against AI, avoiding any integration in the software, even though AI-based modules have been found among the player-created content.

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