The Kingdom Hearts Collection [I-III] box art for the Switch 2 version of the game has sparked a debate among fans about the use of generative AI. At first glance, the artwork featuring Donald, Goofy, Mickey, and several versions of Sora seems innocuous, but a closer look reveals potential signs of AI involvement. The most notable issue is Donald Duck's hands, with his left hand displaying five fingers, which is unusual for a Disney character. This, along with other visual artifacts, has led some to suspect that the entire image might have been mostly AI-generated or a composite of AI-generated parts.
However, online artist DekuDraws, known for their expertise in emulating Kingdom Hearts designer Tetsuya Nomura's style, offers a different perspective. They argue that the artwork is undeniably Nomura's work and that the 'new' style is reminiscent of Nomura's Halloween illustration from October. DekuDraws suggests that AI was used to separate the cast and settings for alternate box art, giving their 3D models a hand-drawn look. This theory implies that while the underlying art was hand-made, AI was introduced at a later stage to create variations for different markets.
This interpretation raises interesting questions about the role of AI in the gaming industry. Square Enix, the publisher of Kingdom Hearts, has been vocal about its intention to leverage generative AI, including using it for QA work. However, the company has also been cutting positions across its North American publishing operation, which could indicate a complex relationship between AI adoption and job security. The debate surrounding the Kingdom Hearts box art highlights the ongoing discussion about the ethical and practical implications of AI in art and design, especially in the context of a company's broader strategic goals.
