Kingdom Hearts Collection Cover Art Sparks AI Generation Speculation Among Fans

For the first time in ages, Kingdom Hearts fans have a lot to discuss. Kingdom Hearts 4 has emerged from the shadows and is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2. However, not all the news is positive: some fans are speculating that the box art for the newly announced Kingdom Hearts Collection may have been generated or influenced by AI.

After the announcement of the new collection, fans noticed some oddities in the official artwork. For instance, Donald Duck appears to have four fingers on one hand and five on the other. Another fan compiled a list of additional discrepancies, such as chains depicted in impossible arrangements and a clock tower with drooping hands. Others pointed out that Sora’s iconic oversized shoes were missing details on the soles, and a building in the background seemed to be melting. The artwork exhibited the typical sloppiness and physical impossibility often associated with generative AI, which Disney might be okay with.

An outlet reached out to Square Enix to inquire whether the image was AI-generated, but there has been no response as of yet. Updates will follow once the company provides clarification.

With the gaming industry increasingly leaning on generative AI, players are on high alert for anything that resembles AI-generated flaws. In 2024, Square Enix’s president, Takashi Kiryu, stated that the company would be “aggressive in applying AI.” Six months later, he walked that back, saying they would be cautious and use the technology only in “areas unrelated to creativity.” More recently, Square Enix announced a partnership with an AI research lab to have AI manage 70% of its QA testing by the end of 2027. Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi faced backlash after showcasing an AI-generated concept for a Final Fantasy 6 remake. Many gamers are understandably frustrated by the increasing presence of AI in the creative process, which has even influenced their perceptions of beloved titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Regardless of whether the Kingdom Hearts Collection box art was AI-generated or simply riddled with errors, these issues somewhat overshadowed the series’ first major announcements in quite some time. During the recent Nintendo Direct, Square Enix unveiled a trailer for the long-awaited Kingdom Hearts 4, confirming its release on the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. The Kingdom Hearts Collection is also set to launch on these platforms on October 8, featuring most of the series, including Kingdom Hearts – HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts 3 + Re Mind. Here’s hoping Square Enix takes the feedback to heart—while they may not ultimately care, sometimes public pressure can lead to change.

From Final Fantasy 7 Revelation to Kingdom Hearts 4, JRPG fans are in for a treat.