Developer of Foundry VTT criticizes AI in tabletop roleplaying game industry, regarding it as a 'breach of trust' or 'betrayal'.
Rewritten Article:
🔥 AI's Role in Tabletop Gaming: A Mixed Bag 🔥
Tabletop gaming's world's getting a bit more technologically savvy, thanks to AI stepping in. Case in point: role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). Yet, not everyone's thrilled with this development, as Andrew Clayton, the mastermind behind the popular virtual tabletop software Foundry VTT, isn't afraid to voice his strong objections.
Interviewed by RPGDrop, Clayton takes a firm stance against AI-generated content, viewing it as an exploitative technology that unfairly harvests creators' intellectual property to churn out soulless and derivative works without their consent. He goes as far as saying it would be a betrayal to the people who made the tabletop gaming industry what it is today.
Foundry VTT has made quite a mark in the gaming community, offering a rich, customizable experience compared to competitors like Roll20. With countless player-made modules, it's a go-to choice for D&D, Pathfinder, Blades in the Dark, and more. During the interview, Clayton comes across as a seasoned executive, his responses being polished and media-trained, but when it comes to AI, his tone shifts into a stern warning.
"Whereas generative AI content can be beneficial in supporting private home games, offering improvisational aids or accessibility tools, it's vital to realize that it actively disenfranchises human creators," Clayton remarked.
The week's interview is worth a read, with Clayton's Commander-in-Chief-esque responses standing out. However, his stance might feel a bit severe to the average consumer, particularly those who see no harm in using AI in their tabletop games at home.
Contrast Clayton's view with Hasbro's CEO, Chris Cocks, who has been surprisingly optimistic about AI's role in D&D. Back in late last year, he voiced his excitement about making "significant and liberal" use of AI, with over 30 fellow D&D enthusiasts (perhaps part of a West Marches campaign) also embracing deep learning.
Yet, in spite of Cocks' enthusiasm, Clayton refuses to budge, standing firm with his conviction that AI needs legislation and ethical guidelines to be properly addressed before it can be responsibly incorporated into their industry.
While it might seem incongruous, AI-generated artwork or writing for home games isn't something that would keep me up at night. However, the critical difference lies in the fact that these tools profit from scraping the internet, using human work without consent - something that Clayton doesn't view favorably.
It's worth noting here that Foundry VTT doesn't officially support AI integration. However, some modules created by players do make use of AI. While Foundry VTT can't be expected to ruthlessly moderate them, it's essential to recognize that Clayton's stance is personal. Although Foundry, the company, stands against AI, users still have the freedom to employ it within the platform.
The interesting twist revolves around Foundry VTT's partnership with D&D, which was established back in February last year. With Hasbro enthusiastically advocating for AI in tabletop gaming, one can't help but wonder if Foundry's stance will ever soften amidst such industry tides. Or will Clayton's resolute conviction hold strong? "No," he says unequivocally. Time will tell if this remains the answer as AI's role in tabletop gaming continues to evolve.
- AI's infiltration into tabletop gaming, as seen in games like Dungeons & Dragons, is generating heated debate, with Andrew Clayton, Foundry VTT's creator, vocalizing concerns about AI-generated content being exploitative and disenfranchising human creators.
- Despite Foundry VTT's partnership with D&D, the platform has maintained a stance against AI integration, viewing it as a threat to creators' intellectual property rights and the soul of the tabletop gaming industry.
- AI has shown potential in offering improvisational aids and accessibility tools for private home games, but Clayton warns that without legislation and ethical guidelines, it could actively undermine human creators.
- Hasbro's CEO, Chris Cocks, however, appears optimistic about AI's role in D&D, expressing excitement about liberal AI use and collaborating with other enthusiasts.
- The emergence of AI in tabletop gaming raises questions about the future of human creators, as innovative technology like AI and artificial intelligence could reshape the landscape of deckbuilders and other games in the coming seasons.
- A supplement or addition of AI to tabletop gaming may lead to controversial outcomes, with Andrew Clayton firmly against its widespread use without proper regulation and ethical considerations in place.
