GOG Clarifies AI-Generated Game Banner Was Accidentally Shared

Last week, the digital PC gaming platform Good Old Games (GOG) found itself embroiled in controversy after users alleged that a banner ad for a major sales event was generated using AI tools. The situation escalated when a GOG employee appeared to confirm the use of AI in creating the ad. However, GOG did not provide a clear response regarding the ad’s creation process. Instead, they addressed the matter privately with their supporters in a Discord server.

On February 2, a screenshot surfaced showing a message that discussed the AI-generated banner for the New Year Sale, posted in the official GOG Patron Discord server earlier that day. This server is exclusive to fans who contribute $5 a month to the store’s Patron program, allowing them to connect with fellow enthusiasts while influencing the store’s future and receiving credit for preserving classic games.

In the message, a GOG employee known as Arthur Slay confirmed that the banner was indeed created “with the help of AI tools,” but emphasized that it was still a “work-in-progress” and not intended for public display. It is believed that this user is Arthur Dejardin, a marketing employee at GOG.

“This shouldn’t have happened,” Arthur Slay stated. “We failed on at least two levels: the quality control of the asset that appeared on the front page, and our response time when we recognized the mistake.”

Arthur acknowledged the “disappointment” expressed by users and recognized that the topic is sensitive for many. When asked about the decision to use AI tools, he explained that GOG has been experimenting with various “technologies” since its inception. “Some experiments succeed, and some (like this banner) do not,” he noted. “Exploring different tech allows us to operate with the capacity of a much larger team, ensuring we never have to compromise on our efforts.”

He continued, “I want to be transparent about our approach to technology. We don’t have the endless resources of the industry giants. We’re a small, dedicated team working tirelessly every day for game preservation. To sustain that mission, revive more games, and make them DRM-free, we explore tools that enable us to maximize our limited resources.”

On January 30, after the ad was criticized across various platforms, GOG informed that they could not “comment publicly on our internal processes or tools.” They have been contacted regarding the Discord message and why these details were not shared earlier.

Here is the complete message from the private Discord as shared:

Hi everyone, I’d like to address the case of our recent New Year Sale banner.

First of all, regarding the quality of the asset: This banner was a work-in-progress asset that we mistakenly allowed to be displayed on the storefront. This shouldn’t have happened. We failed on at least two levels: quality control of the asset that landed on the front page, and then reacting quickly enough when we noticed the error. Second, I want to confirm that this WIP asset was indeed made with the help of AI tools. We hear your disappointment with the use of this technology and see that it’s a sensitive topic for many of you.

I also want to be honest about how we chose to explore technology: We don’t have the infinite resources of the industry giants. We’re a dedicated, but small team, working our asses off every day for game preservation. To keep that mission alive, bring more games back to life, and make more games DRM-free, we experiment with tools that can allow us to do more with the limited hands we have.

We’ve been testing different technologies since our beginnings. Some experiments are successful, and some (like this banner) are not. Exploring various tech gives us the reach of a much larger team, so we never have to settle for doing less.

Lastly, I’m aware that some of you have concerns about a GOG team member leaving the Patrons Discord server. Please understand that in heated moments, people sometimes need to step back for their own well-being. That was a personal decision, and we respect it.

Thank you, everyone,
Arthur