Journal of Other Forum Analysis

[Boredfrom]

Constantly abstracting out to Nintendo while keeping the labour of the actual artists at Game Freak invisible leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. We know most of the artists that create modern Pokemon, as they share their designs in interviews or on their social pages. Several are freelance artists. James Turner, the art director of Sword & Shield, opened his own indie studio and is releasing his first independent project this year. Artists like Atsuko Nishida and Megumi Mizutani have no qualms with designing creatures for other games. Pocket Pair has on interest in contacting these artists. They want to make games for cheap, cutting down on labour costs. That's why the CEO's interests in AI are notable to people: it's a clear extension of his vision for games development.

Doesn’t use AI, though. Those artists are also getting jobs (and I bet you many of them don’t get money for every Pokemon plush with their design that the TPC sells). AI is a fucking big can of worms but you are choosing the wrong battle to fight given that is unrelated and every video game CEO is already in the bandwagon.

It's the quiet (and often not so quiet) undercurrent to the AI craze—contempt for artists. That what they do isn't real work, that anyone could do that and that their work isn't valuable.

I’m sorry, but did you were born yesterday? Also, again, this doesn’t use AI.

It really does feel like the overwhelming sentiment is that it's fine because it's Pokemon. "They're big enough to take it, power to the people, maybe GF stop being lazy and make good games for once lol." From gamers to industry vets to influencers. I've seen quite a number straight-up say they're supporting it in hopes the game's success scares GF, just pure righteous indignation.

At this point all I can really say is that I hope all this ad populum doesn't blow up in everyone's face.

Neither Nintendo, The Pokemon Company or Gamefreak needs you help in dealing with a competitor. If you care so much about artists… ask them if they receive any money for how these companies use their designs outside “work for hire.”