The Pokemon Company has finally addressed concerns from fans regarding controversial submissions to the Pokemon TCG’s annual Illustration Contest, rescinding various submissions amid AI allegations.
Pokemonhas a famously artistic community of players with things likefan-made Elden Ring crossoversoften taking the internet by storm. The Pokemon TCG’s annual Illustration Contest is a great way to get the fandom’s artists involved in a more official capacity.
Pokemon artists are allowed to enter submissions for the opportunity to have their work featured in the franchise’s popular trading card game. On June 14, the Pokemon Companyannounced the top 300 entrantsmoving onto the next round of the Contest but this was marred slightly byaccusations of cheating and AI usage.
https://t.co/0zw5YjCQs0pic.twitter.com/4AEJ550D0u
Back when the top 300 were initially announced, keen-eyed fans picked up some suspicious entries that seemed to have made it through the vetting process. Primarily, what looked like six entries from the same artist under similar names including Vigen K, Vigen Khachadoorian, Vigo K, and Vigo Khachadoorian.
All of these entries sported a comparable art style and when coupled with the names listed, appeared to be in violation of a rule that limits each participant to three submissions.
To make matters worse, there were multiple suggestions that the work looked to be using generative AI in some capacity. Another rule violation.
So why are you letting people violate the max entry rule so blatantly and with entries that are very likely ai generated?pic.twitter.com/rpHDm77fZv
The Pokemon Company’s response is a little vague and stops short of naming the contestants set to be removed from the top 300. Its statement also did not directly state that AI usage was the reason for disqualification.
Related:
Fortunately, entrants who missed out due to these suspicious submissions making the cut are replacing those entries that broke the rules. At the time of writing, the top 300 entries remain unchanged.
Ethan Dean is a Games Writer on Dexerto’s Australia team. He is a journalism graduate and specializes in Baldur’s Gate, Diablo, Elden Ring, Pokemon, Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, third-person games, and regularly plays newly release games. You can contact Ethan at: ethan.dean@dexerto.com
