Hooded Horse CEO Condemns AI Art in Gaming
Generally, You should be aware that Tim Bender, the CEO of Hooded Horse, has expressed strong opposition to generative AI art in game development. Normally, people like Bender would avoid making such strong statements, but he stated, “I fucking hate gen AI art,” describing it as “cancerous” and a source of difficulty in his work. Usually, CEOs are more diplomatic, however, Bender’s stance is clear.
CEO’s Strong Opposition
Always, it seems, Bender is against generative AI art, In a recent interview with Kotaku, he made his position very clear. Often, people are unsure about the use of AI in gaming, but not Bender, he knows exactly what he wants. Hopefully, his stance will inspire other CEOs to take a similar position.
CEO’s Strong Opposition
Occasionally, you will find someone who agrees with Bender, he is not alone in his opposition to AI-generated art. Mostly, people are worried about the impact of AI on the gaming industry, and Bender is no exception. Normally, he would be open to new ideas, but when it comes to AI art, he is firmly opposed.
Zero‑Tolerance Policy
Normally, companies have a more nuanced approach to AI-generated art, but not Hooded Horse, they have a zero-tolerance policy. Usually, this means that they will not allow any AI-generated assets in the games they publish, and this policy is explicitly written into their contracts with developers. Always, Bender is clear about his expectations, and developers know what they can and cannot do.
Generally, the rule is strict, but Bender acknowledges the challenges of enforcement, some studios use AI-generated art as placeholders during pre‑production, which can unintentionally slip into the final product. Hopefully, Hooded Horse will be able to enforce their policy effectively.
Industry Examples
Sometimes, the issue of AI-generated art can cause real problems, Ubisoft had to make changes to *Anno 117* after placeholder AI art was discovered in the live version of the game. Often, this can be embarrassing for the company, and it can also lead to financial losses. Usually, companies try to avoid such mistakes, but occasionally, they can happen.
Normally, the consequences of using AI-generated art can be severe, *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* lost two Indie Game Awards when it was found to contain unreplaced AI‑generated art. Always, it is better to be safe than sorry, and Hooded Horse is taking a firm stance on this issue.
The Broader Debate
Generally, Bender’s firm stance reflects a growing debate in the gaming industry, while some companies embrace AI as a tool to speed up development, others—like Hooded Horse—prioritize original art and creativity, insisting on vigilant oversight to keep AI out of shipped titles. Usually, this debate is ongoing, and there is no clear resolution in sight. Hopefully, companies like Hooded Horse will help to shape the future of the gaming industry.
Normally, you would expect a CEO to be more open to new ideas, but when it comes to AI art, Bender is firmly opposed, and he is not alone, many people in the industry share his concerns. Always, it is interesting to see how this debate will evolve in the future.
