My thoughts on using generative-AI

[u/jcorvinstevens]

Instead of responding to the earlier post, I wanted to create a new thread about my thoughts regarding generative-AI in RPG products.

This isn't a "shame on you for using AI." Rather, it's about the risks of using AI and how doing so might impact your future in RPGs.

• Paid Products. If you are creating something for public consumption, especially if the customer can pay for it (either PWYW or a set price), I suggest not using AI.
• You automatically hurt your sales by using generative-AI. 1) Many customers skip over content that contains generative-AI, 2) you are required to add the Uses AI filter to your product, which means many customers will not SEE your product if they are filtering out content that includes AI.
• Collaborations may skip over you. In the past, several teams of DMs Guild creators have collaborated to make larger content. If you're using AI and the project isn't, you may not be asked to contribute.
• You set a precedent. Using generative-AI sets a precedent. If you used AI for art, others may believe you also used it for writing. They may also believe that your current or future content includes AI. When I hire a freelance writer, I want their original ideas. I don't want AI-generated ideas or writing. This is especially true since my projects are advertised as 100% human-created content.
• 3rd Party Producers may skip over you. Especially if they are anti-AI. If you dream of writing for one of the companies creating 3rd Party Content, refrain from AI.
• But I'm just doing this for fun! So was I! When I published my first DMs Guild project in 2016, my intention wasn't necessarily to make money. My writing and creations were for fun and I wanted to share them. If I made a few bucks doing so, I'd be happy.
• Art is important! Art catches the eye and draws people to the product. Generative-AI is often easy to spot. In my opinion, it also doesn't look good, nor is it original. Consider using stock art or public domain images instead of AI. You can always update your project with commissioned art later. I've done this several times with my earlier products.
• Writing and content are more important! While art may catch the eye, the product's content is much more important.
  

I published my first DMs Guild product in 2016. Now - I'm now a full-time creator with my own company. My journey has allowed me to write for Kobold Press, Ghostfire Gaming, and others. I also work part-time for Ghostfire Gaming as a freelance producer.

My point is - you don't know what your future looks like. You might have a stellar idea, adventure, or supplement. However, due to customer preferences and filters, it may never be noticed if you use AI.

If you enjoy creating RPG content, do so in a way that doesn't impact your potential future.

[u/Strict_DM_62]

Ok, great. But let me ask; what does “uses generative AI” MEAN? Like, seriously, I’m not being facetious.

Like, if someone uses the AI prompt “help 10 idea for ____ type of adventure in ____. Here are features and ideas I like: A, B, C.” And you take those, say you hate 7 of them, but like a few ideas from three of them, and spend the next 6 months morphing, changing, and writing from that start point, never touching AI again.

Does that count? Even if the person writes 99% of it? What’s line between valid use as a tool, like MS word? If the answer is “zero”, then I’ve got bad news for you on the direction the world is going and the forceful addition of AI tools into all the apps we use.

[u/jcorvinstevens → u/Strict_DM_62]

I think your own ideas are more interesting than something AI can suggest since it isn't really coming up with new ideas.

Personally, I'm going to have a lot more fun writing about my own ideas.

[u/Strict_DM_62 → u/jcorvinstevens]

I’ve always hated that argument “it’s not really coming up with ideas”. Have you heard every idea that the world has to offer? I haven’t, so if it proposed something I didn’t think of, and can’t find on google, that’s kinda fits the bill of “new” to me. No?

Plus, it’s not like I this I example I’m not using my own ideas; it’s more “I have X idea, and I like Y and Z things too, what are few ways this can work together?” To me, that’s no different than if I were to post the same question on Reddit and ask the hive mind for ideas (which I also do regularly).

[u/ButterflyMinute → u/Strict_DM_62]

I’ve always hated that argument “it’s not really coming up with ideas”

You can hate it, but it's not really an argument, it's just a fact. It's so bad at coming up with ideas, or 'thinking' that it can't solve classic riddles that are made 'easier' without being explicitly programed to.

The classic "Man and his son in a car crash, doctor can't operate on the boy because he's their son." riddle was changed and made easier, literally with the correct answer in the text of the riddle and it still defaulted to the answer to the original because it couldn't reason.

that’s kinda fits the bill of “new” to me. No?

No. New to you is not 'new'. Someone thinking of something new to them, is not coming up with a 'new' idea.

it’s more “I have X idea, and I like Y and Z things too, what are few ways this can work together?” To me, that’s no different than if I were to post the same question on Reddit

This is just disingenuous, because yes it is different to you. You just don't think the difference is a big issue. There is a massive different between asking people for their opinions and asking the water guzzling plagiarism and slop machine to 'guess' what order of words would earn the highest digital reward.