[Article] : The Ethical Implications of Using AI When Creating Role-Playing Games

Roleplaying games (RPGs) are an amazing way to tell stories, create characters, and imagine entire worlds. Many people who love RPGs use tools to bring their ideas to life, like hiring artists to draw characters or buying books full of lore and adventures.

But now, new tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can help make images and even stories. This has sparked a big debate: Is using AI good or bad for the RPG community?

Let’s break it down.

The Pros of Using AI for RPGs

AI tools are popular because they’re quick, cheap, and easy to use. For example:

• Instant Images: With just a short description, an AI program can make a picture of your character, like a brave elf warrior or a sly goblin merchant.
• Quick Lore Creation: If you need a backstory for your world or a description of a spooky castle, AI can write something in minutes.
• Budget-Friendly: Many AI tools are free or cost much less than hiring an artist or buying a fancy RPG book.

This is a big deal for people who don’t have much money or are just starting out. AI lets more people join the hobby, try new things, and share their ideas.

And let’s be honest: many people who use AI tools probably wouldn’t have hired an artist or bought a book anyway.

They might just stick to doing everything themselves or doing without, if AI wasn’t an option.

The Cons of Using AI for RPGs

On the flip side, there are some downsides to relying on AI:

• Quality Issues: AI-generated images often have strange mistakes, like characters with too many fingers, warped weapons, or odd faces. They can look cool from far away, but up close, they don’t always hold up.
• Lack of Soul: Many say AI art can feel a bit “empty.” It doesn’t have the personal touch and creativity that a real artist brings to their work.
• Less Support for Creators: If everyone uses AI, it might seem like fewer people will hire artists or buy books. That’s a real concern for creators who rely on RPG fans to support their work.

The Bigger Picture

Here’s the thing: AI tools and human creators don’t have to be enemies. There’s room for both in the RPG world. AI tools can bring new people into the hobby—people who might not have tried it otherwise. Once they’re hooked, many of them will want to go deeper. They might save up to commission custom art for their favourite characters or buy detailed RPG books full of maps and adventures.

Also, AI isn’t perfect. Its mistakes (like extra fingers!) remind us how special human creativity is. Artists can create art that’s not only accurate but full of life and personality. That’s something AI just can’t do.

Conclusion

AI tools aren’t here to replace artists or RPG creators—they’re here to add options. For some, AI is a stepping stone into the hobby. For others, it’s just a tool for brainstorming or quick sketches. The most important thing is that the RPG community keeps growing. A bigger community means more people to play with, more stories to tell, and more chances for artists, writers, and creators to shine.

So whether you’re rolling dice with AI-made maps or flipping through a beautifully illustrated RPG book, there’s a place for everyone in the world of roleplaying games.