Summary
An illustrator forDungeons and Dragonsrecently revealed new images being used to replace some AI art fromBigby Presents: Glory of Giants. This newDungeons and Dragonsart was made in response to a controversy regarding the use of AI to create illustrations for its recent sourcebook.
Bigby Presents: Glory of Giantsis aDungeons and Dragonssourcebook released on August 15. Shortly before the book was published, it teased some of the artwork used for creatures within the new monster manual. However, when players examined the artwork made by Ilya Shkipin, a long-timeDungeons and Dragonsillustrator, they believed it was created using AI. Shkipin, who has recently been experimenting with the technology, confirmed it was, promptingWizards of the Coast to take a stance against AI artworkin its products in the future, and to promise to commission new art to replace the inciting pieces.
Now,Dungeons and Dragonshas begun revealing the new art it is using to replace Shkipin’s work in future printings ofBigby Presents: Glory of Giants. Linda Lithen, a freelance illustrator who has done work onDungeons and Dragonsbooks likeShadow of the Dragon QueenandCall of the Netherdeep,as well as onCritical Role’sTaldorei Rebornthird-partyD&Dsupplement, shared the images on her personal Twitter. The Frost Giant Ice Shaper and Rime Hulk, two of the monsters Shkipin had made AI art for, received incredible glow-ups with her work, rendering the creatures with remarkable detail that surpasses the originals by far.
Other monsters fromBigby Presents: Glory of Giantshave been steadily replaced as well. The Maw of Yeenoghu, Altisaur, and Stalker of Baphomet have all had their AI-generated Shkipin works removed and replaced with human-designed illustrations by various other artists. While theoriginal prints ofBigby Presents: Glory of Giantswill still have the AI art, all future publications will feature these new ones.
Fans are glad to see Wizards of the Coast following through on its promises after putting its foot down. While AI-generated work might look good at first glance, most agree that comparing Shkipin’s work to their replacements is like night and day. AI art has drawn much criticism from creators across multiple media industries, with big names likeGeorge R. R. Martin going so far as to sue the makers of ChatGPTfor copyright infringement. It seems Wizards of the Coast was genuinely unaware AI art was used in the original illustrations, and its efforts to fix the error have earned it some favor with both artists and fans.
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