AI Art Scandal Rocks Pokémon Trading Card Game Contest

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has been a beloved part of the franchise for many fans, offering a unique way to engage with the Pokémon universe. Recently, an illustration contest was held with prizes of up to $5,000, and the top three designs would be made into real Pokémon TCG cards. However, the contest has been marred by controversy after it was discovered that several finalists had broken the rules.

The Pokémon TCG has been a staple of the franchise for many fans.

The contest received thousands of submissions, but only 300 images made it to the finals. However, fans quickly noticed that some of the finalists had violated the rules, which state that each entrant can only submit three unique submissions per person. Furthermore, each submission must be original and created by the entrant alone.

“Each Entrant warrants that their Submission is original… and has been created by them alone.”

Fans have been quick to point out that some of the finalist images appear to have been created using AI, due to issues with perspective, unnatural line work, and blending of distinct objects. The Pokémon Company has now admitted that a violation of the rules has occurred and that the offending pictures will be disqualified.

The Pokémon Company has promised to uphold the integrity of the contest.

In an official statement, the company said: “We are aware that select entrants from the top 300 finalists of the Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest 2024 have violated the official contest rules. As a result, entrants in violation of the rules have been disqualified from the contest. Furthermore, additional artists participating in the contest will soon be selected to be among the top 300 finalists.”

While fans are disappointed that violating images were able to make it to the finals, they are glad that these designs will be replaced with entries from other artists. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of contests and competitions.

The Pokémon community is known for its creativity and passion.

The Pokémon Company has promised to uphold the integrity of the contest and appreciate fans’ continued support as they celebrate the artistic abilities of the talented Pokémon community. As the contest moves forward, fans will be eagerly waiting to see the new finalists and the eventual winners.