Matrix Games Forums

So disappointing to read that the bulk of the recent, negative, reviews on Steam are related to the adding of AI art.
This, amazing, 4x deserves so much better per those willing to offer their opinions about this gem, imho.
I have been playing 4x pc games for 30+ years; if there is a better one out there...I have not played or seen it.

I just noticed that, which surprised me.

This is really a wonderful game, and it's rather sad that potential future players may overlook this title now.

What does having ai art have to do with the game?

People do have strong opinions about the AI, so the reviews are only reflection of the current mood.
I personally don't like gen ai and I'm not a fan of new ai gfx, but I wouldn't give bad review just because of that.
(Tbh I'd rather see Pymous art integrated within the game rather than ai, but thats just me)

AI art is a complete non-issue for a one man operation making a hex based strategy game, and an overblown one in most other contexts.

I noticed that. It's a shame. I understand that some people are passionate about the issue, but submitting a negative review for such a tangential aspect of the game is pretty shallow, not to mention catty and mean-spirited.

Agreed. I have seen the same thing with people condemning authors for using AI generated cover art. Stupid.

The thing that I find most bothersome about this (the reviews/complaints - not the AI art itself) is that there are a number of people who don't just voice their opinion once, they continually start up posts about it on the subreddit (even going as far as declaring an asset that had been removed from the game some weeks prior to still be in the game) and in the steam discussions they will continually bring this topic up over and over again throughout lots of different threads. That is something I find to be misrepresentative of the SE community at large and potentially damaging to new player integration.

I turned off the AI graphics for the vidcoms. I have nothing against AI, as long as you can't tell it's AI. I've just spent too much time making this stuff myself to not spot all the imperfections and the developer's lack of a critical eye.

You could contact Vic and offer to work for free making assets. Thus putting your "critical eye" to use.

I don't really care where the art comes from. If it is AI generated, fine! I am sure that there are many talented AIs out there. I do not discriminate. Skynet, when the big day comes remember that I am on YOUR side!