AI Art Apology & NUNA

A few followers of NUNA pointed out what looked like wonky AI fingers in some draft art for the game last year. I was totally flooded with the Kickstarter + work + single fathering, and so didn't pay enough attention.

My apologies. I had told the NUNA team that AI art is unacceptable from the start.

I talked to the artist, who is a graphic designer. He uses Photoshop, which has AI tools and enhancements, some of which are options, some of which were hardbaked in. He finds it harder to do without them year by year. The fine line between photo manipulation and AI art is blurring rapidly.

He apologized and returned the pay I had sent him.

Let me be absolutely clear.

First, I abhor AI art. I hate the way it steals from real artists, and detest the schlocky, canned art products it creates. It is threatening the future of art itself - why work hard to be an artist when with a click you can churn out AI schlock?

Second, for my current RPG project, the Japanese social game Giri-Ninjou, I am making all art myself. By hand. I think this is perfect for a small, indie product.

In fact, I had a HUGE problem finding good artists for NUNA. Especially indigenous ones. Some didn't like RPGs, some didn't get the project. Lots that I saw make amateur or folk art, again, not suitable. My own art looks like 90's first time pen ink RPG art, and pales in comparison to all the professional level Kickstarter RPG art I see. Just look at Coyote & Crow, my inspiration, and you'll know what I mean.

Once again, my apologies, and expect nothing but human made art from me.

PS Living out a suitcase in Vancouver now, but on the trail of some academic work. Wish me luck!

Apologies To S. Petersen, K. Campbell-Robson, and my readers

 Hello everyone,

Yesterday, I posted an interview with the venerable Sandy Petersen about his involvement in the development of the Stormbringer rpg. In it was a reference to the author of the Hawkmoon game, Kerie Campbell-Robson. In a case of mistaken identity, Sandy believed she was deceased.

I posted the interview without checking this fact, and was informed by several readers that, thankfully, Mrs Campbell-Robson was indeed alive and still active in RPGs.

So I'd like to issue a few apologies.

First, to Sandy Petersen, for jumping the gun on posting. It was late and I was tired, but these are poor excuses. Mr Petersen kindly took me into his confidence and shared his insider knowledge and invaluable memories of production at Chaosium. Sandy is a compassionate man, and included the mistaken identity story of a tragic end. However, the fault is mine for posting without fact checking.

I am sorry Sandy.

Next, to Kerie Campbell-Robson, I apologize unreservedly for spreading an erroneous story of her demise. I will try to make up for this by educating myself on her RPG industry achievements, and posting a complete picture of her career achievements and contributions to the Eternal Champion line in future.

Please forgive me, Kerie.

Finally, to my readers, I am truly sorry for disseminating false information. As a one man blog operation who is also a single father and fulltime teacher, I am stretched pretty thin. Still, as a former Media Studies professor, I should have done better.

I hope you will let me make it up to you with content here.

I have redacted the mistaken identity story from the interview, and added the following disclaimer:

NOTE - In the interview, I have redacted the part about Campbell-Robson being deceased. This was a case of mistaken identity. My apologies to Mr Petersen for jumping the gun on publication, and Mrs Campbell-Robson for not checking the fact before posting.